TRADE TASTING: Le Clos Jordanne range, Oct 14, 2008

 The Time and Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2008   10 AM to 9 PM

The Event: tasting of Clos Jordanne wines, with Jay Wright (Vincor CEO), Jean-Charles Boisset (Boisset VP), Thomas Bachelder (winemaker) and Sebastien Jaquey (assistant winemaker). There was constant talk from the head table for about two hours, most of it enlightening as Bachelder reviewed all of the previous vintages.

The Venue: Currie Hall at the National Ballet School.

The Target Audience: in the morning and for lunch, the wine media. In the afternoon, the trade, and at night, private customers.

The Availability/Catalogue: everything is, or will be, available.

The Quote: "2006 was a difficult year".

The Wines: all wines are 2006 vintage, and all wines are sold by the six pack case.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Le Grand Clos Chardonnay 2006, 130 cases, $65, Classics November 8:  apple, vanillin, oak, more minerals. Coats the palate.  My fave of the tasting, both red and white.

-Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard Chardonnay 2006, 120 cases, $40, Classics March 25, 2009: toast, vanilla, orange marmalade, minerals. Mouthfilling and long finish.

-La Petite Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006, 300 cases, $40, Classics March 25, 2009: raspberry, pumpkin spices, cinnamon, elegant.

-Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir 2006, 190  cases, $70, Classics November 8, 2008: spicy cherries, some MVC for pinot noir, longer finish.

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Claystone Terrace Chardonnay 2006, 90 cases, $40, Classics March 25, 2009: apple, peach, oak, toast. Midweight palate Burgundian style.

-Claystone Terrace Pinot Noir 2006, 230 cases, $40, Classics March 25, 2009: black raspberry, earthy, spicy, cranberries, intense,

-Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006, 275 cases, $40, Classics March 25, 2009: raspberry, earthy, soft, very sophisticated. Cranberries.

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Village Reserve Chardonnay 2006, 721 cases, $30, available December 6: apples with light vanillin, some green notes, Hautes Cotes style.

-Village Reserve Pinot Noir 2006, 2000 cases, $30, available Dec 6: plum, cherry and raisins, some stone fruit.

 

The Food: lunch was family style, with communal tables. We were served almost as much as we wanted of organic mesclun and a tomato-mozzarella salad, mashed potatoes and roasted root veggies, and brussels sprouts and beans provencal (although none of the greens made it down to my end of the table). The mains were beef bourguignon, halibut, and duck leg confit. Desserts were crème brulees and poached pears. The two Village wines were served.

The Downside: the transit directions were wrong, with the wrong street indicated.

The Upside: fabulous luncheon and a chance to taste with Vincor personnel.

The Contact Person: candies.walsh@leclosjordanne.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 90.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com