2009 Cabernet Franc Ambassadors tasting – Sopexa, Paris

7 April 2009

Sam Harrop MW and his tasting cap

At the offices of Sopexa in Paris for the first of two days of tasting Cabernet Franc to select the 2009 Ambassadors from the 2007 and 2008 vintages. Led once again by Sam Harrop MW joined by Emily O’Hare, sommelier at the River Café in London, Jane Masters MW and myself. Joining us for the day was Patrick Schmitt, editor of The Drinks Business.

Emily O'Hare

Jane Masters MW

Patrick Schmitt

Emmanuelle Galdin, Sopexa UK

We have completed our initial selection and tomorrow (8th April) will make the final selection and should be posted on Jim's Loire tomorrow afternoon, although the names will have to wait until next week.

Last night we had a very good dinner at Les Comédiens, which started with a tasting of oysters. We found that the 2006 Menetou-Salon from Fournier was a better match with the oysters than the rather disappointing 2007 Petit Chablis from Bichot. During the dinner we had a small vertical of the Clos Roche Blanche Elevé-en-futs-Chêne 1995 and 1996, which is a blend of Gamay, Cabernet and Côt. The 1995 had soft sweet evolved fruit with notes of balsamic vinegar and still some tannins remaining from this tannic vintage. Although the 1995 showed pretty well it was eclipsed by the fresher, more youthful 1996 with its wonderful spicy nose. My fellow tasters were astonished by these two wines.

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