Picky Winers Club

Gavin had showed me the benefit of shopping at a private wine store.  There were always helpful wine specialists around to help you pick what you desired.

This time he bought a bottle of red wine from Villié Morgon, Beaujolais region.  According to the wine specialist,  Tête de Cuvée was one of the richest and most complex wines produced in the whole region that benefitted from cellar ageing. Grapes were pressed in an old-fashioned vertical press and then matured in a combination of small and large wooden casks.

It was indeed a very delicious wine, filled with berry aroma, very smooth, soft, and fruity.  It becomes even more impressive as the flavors stayed on the palate for a very long time. This long lasting climax of tasting sensation reminded me of having the best supreme grade green tea.

Wow…

I bought a bottle of the Domaine Calot myself a few days later, saving it for the special occasion.

I had seen this wine in my friend Christina’s dine-out pics.  Apparently they served it at C restaurant. I had tasted a similar wine before, 2004 Chateau Pesquie Terrasses, which was from the same region and with a very similar blend of grapes (grenache and syrah).  Although I did not enjoy the Chateau Pesquie entirely at the time, but wanted to try it again.  

Once I had the first sip, my palate was screaming,
“I want a steak!!!”

Haha… Yes, the smokiness and spiciness was expected.  The good full body of the wine presents such a strong essence of masculinity. It was a perfect red for enjoying a generously sized piece of New York cut. 

I had been so stoked  on my discovery of 2005 Domaine Calot Morgon, and I was ready to explore more of French wines.

I found myself at Marquis Wine Cellar on Davie, describing my tasting experience on the Domaine Calot with such enthusiasm.  A guy who worked there informed me that nothing at the store could be a close match to that wine from the same region. But he pointed out this bottle from Rhône Valley, another well-known French wine country. 

I did not enjoy it nearly as much as the Domaine Calot.  It had a oaky mineral flavor, probably more suitable for drinking in a funky mood but definitely not while having such high expectation to please the palate.

I had been truly spoiled by the Domaine Calot it seemed.

Blehh…  A little bit of a disappointment.  But I would not mind trying it again sometime.