Last of the 1980 Beaucastel....

1980 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château de Beaucastel 

Last evening we enjoyed our last bottle of the 1980 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the final bottle of a case, which we must have bought in the earlyish 1980s direct from Beaucastel. This was before we bought in the Loire and used to spend our summer holidays in campsite in a pine forest a few kilometres north of Vaison-la-Romain. 

It was perfect with our plainly roasted pheasant from Billings in Sydenham – a bargain at £5.99 a bird. The 1980 had a rich, opulent nose and very soft, caressing palate. Our bottle would doubtless still have been drinkable for a number of years. However, I doubt whether it would have developed further. 

1981 Gigondas Les Pallières – a treat with roast chicken

 

Last night we enjoyed one of our declining bottles of Gigondas that we bought in the mid-1980s directly from the individual domaines. In this instance the lovely, rich and sweetly fruited 1981 Domaine Les Pallières – the wine was as magnificent as the label! We bought this from the Roux brothers, the previous owners of this estate, one of the leading estates in Gigondas. It was perfect with a simply roasted chicken.  

Two new wine tours from La Grande Maison

2009 Cabernet Franc – Chinon

Cabernet Franc Ambassadors Wine Tour of the Loire

'Q. Why select Ambassadors for Cabernet Franc?

A. The UK Palate for red wine has historically been trained on Bordeaux blends, that of the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a little Cabernet Franc. So coming to the Cabernet Franc, in the Loire, as a single varietal has traditionally been hard on the palate. This has been due to the grape not fully ripening in the cooler climate, which in turn leaves green/hard tannins. So a team at Interloire have been quietly working away on a 5 year Cabernet Franc Project to find the best Cabernet Franc wines in the Loire Valley.'

Mont Ventoux that dominates the southern Rhône vineyards

Two Centre Wine Tours i.e.: Loire/Burgundy – Loire/Rhône

Micaela and Sue: 'On another tack we have just partnered with Burgundy Discovery and Rhone

Wine Holidays to offer Two Centre Wine Tours i.e.: Loire/Burgundy – Loire/Rhône