REGIONAL TOUR CONTEST 2004
February 1 2024
Because of the remarkable success of this tasting format, Les Conseillers du vin is repeating with a horizontal tasting of eight 2004 reds from a diversity of reputed regions. While blind tasting and evaluating these fine reds you will be asked to identify as many as you can. How many will you correctly identify? The person who successfully identifies all eight wines will receive a gift certificate for a future tasting at les Conseillers du vin (maximum value 150$). If no participant successfully identifies all eight wines, a bottle of sparkling wine will be awarded to the person who recognized the most wines. Come evaluate and identify, in the usual blind tasting format, this selection of fine reds from reputed regions which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
France – Côtes du Rhone Villages-Séguret, Domaine de Mourchon, Rhône Sud
Espagne – Ribera del Duero, Bodegas y Vinedos Alion
USA – Cabernet Sauvignon Cloudy’s Vyrd, Jantzen, Napa, California
Canada – The Bear Meritage, Fairview Cellars, Okanagan, BC
Italia – Barbaresco Masseria, Vietti, Piemonte
France – Château Larcis Ducasse, St-Émilion, Bordeaux
Australia – Shiraz-Viognier, Yalumba, Barossa Valley South Australia
France – Château de Viella Madiran, Sud-Ouest
2020 NORTHERN RHÔNE TASTING
February 29 2024
Again, in many French wine regions, climatic conditions were almost perfect in 2020! Obviously, the Rhône valley is amongst the areas that benefited from Mother Nature’s generosity. Another sun soaked vintage that produced very ripe fruit, but this time cool nights helped maintain the necessary acidity to assure freshness and balance. Most of the wines show good depth and body with excellent aging potential and the expected typical elegance. Come experience this high quality vintage from Northern Rhône and evaluate its aging potential. A selection of outstanding producers from reputed appellations should reveal the true colors of this outstanding 2020 Northern Rhône vintage.
Hermitage, Maison Les Alexandrins
Hermitage, Tardieu-Laurent
Côte Rôtie Les Triotes, Famille Garon
Côte Rôtie Quatuor, Chapoutier
Cornas Les Chailles, Alain Voge
Saint-Joseph Vignes de l’Hospice, Guigal
Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Roure, Paul Jaboulet
Vin mystère – Mystery wine
BORDEAUX 2020
March 14 2024
Quite a «tour de force» from this outstanding 2020 Bordeaux vintage! A sun soaked vintage that produced rich ripe fruit with great structure and depth. Fortunately, cool nights maintained the necessary acidity to assure balance, freshness and elegance. The 2020 Bordeaux are full bodied, intense with incredible aging potential. Very seductive now, they will age gracefully for the next 30 to 40 years, and maybe more. Some critics dared the comparison with the legendary 1961 vintage. The châteaux chosen for this tasting should confirm the high quality level and amazing aging potential of this once in a lifetime vintage! Don’t miss this spectacular Bordeaux vintage.
Château Branaire Ducru, St-Julien
Château Larcis Ducasse, St-Emilion
Château Malescot St-Exupéry, Margaux
Château Nenin, Pomerol
Château Pédesclaux, Pauillac
Château Malartic-Lagravière, Pessac-Léognan
Château La Gaffelière, St-Émilion
Vin mystère-Mystery wine
2021 WHITE BURGUNDY TASTING
March 28 2024
Unfortunately, red Burgundies did not fare well in 2021. As is often the case, the 2021 whites defied the odds and managed to impress many experts. According to the Revue du Vin de France : « The 2021 whites, with their luminous fruit, should surprise with great aging potential ». The best 2021s offer refreshing acidity, great balance and elegance. The only drawback: the obviously, non stop, skyrocketing prices! The wines chosen for this tasting should confirm the high quality level and aging potential of this outstanding 2021 white Burgundy vintage.
Meursault Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Buisson-Charles
Chablis Grand Cru Les Blanchots, Domaine Laroche
Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses, Domaine Simonet-Fèvre
Mercurey 1er Cru En Sanzenay, Domaine Tupinier-Bautista
Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches, Domaine Chanson
Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Frionnes, Domaine Morey-Coffinet
Pouilly-Fuissé Tête de Cuvée, Château-Fuissé
Vin Mystère-Mystery Wine
JAPANESE WHISKY WORKSHOP
April 11 2024
The Japanese whisky industry is booming! In the last decade, no less than 108 new distilling licences have been delivered. At this rate, by 2030, Japan will have more operating distilleries than Scotland! Since February 2021 a new legislation has changed the definition of Japanese whisky, bringing it closer to Scottish and North American standards. Close to 140 million liters of Japanese whisky was produced in 2020 of which only 10% was exported. Come rediscover this trendy Whisky! A selection of 6 Japanese whiskies is offered to better understand this rapidly evolving whisky industry.
Hibiki Japanese Harmony, Suntory
Fuyu Blended, BBC
Ichiros World Blended Whisky, Chichibu Distillery
Yoichi Single Malt, Nikka
Kinuura Blended Japanese Whisky, Aioi Unibio Co.
Tokinaka Black, White Oak Distillery
CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2020
May 9 2024
In the last decade many Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers have been crafting more refined and elegant reds. The bulky concentrated style that was trendy for quite some time is being abandoned my most producers. According to La Revue du Vin de France the 2020 Châteauneuf–du-Pape vintage is amongst the best of the last 50 years. Some experts dare to predict that 2020 should surpass the outstanding 78, 89, 90 and 98 vintages! Despite the usual concentration and high alcohol levels, the 2020 CDPs display great depth, with surprising balance and elegance. A selection of reputed producers should confirm the quality level, aging potential and the evolving style of the star of the southern Rhône in this spectacular 2020 vintage.
Château de Beaucastel
Croix des Bois, Chapoutier
La Crau, Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe
Cuvée des Cadettes, Château La Nerthe
Les 7 de Pignan, Bosquet des Papes
Domaine de Marcoux Tradition
Boisrenard, Domaine de Beaurenard
Vin mystère/Mystery wine