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Cave de Tain l'Hermitage Cornas 2003 - Printable Version

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- Thraz - 06-16-2006

I had to have this in spite of its young age, because I wanted to find out whether I would want to buy a whole case (two hours in a decanter, consumed over three hours). I was suspicious because it was only $16 at the Total store in Tampa. Well, no need to be: it is great. The label talks about dark ripe berries, tobacco and the like - I agree with all of that, but I have been consuming quite a bit of northern Rhone syrah lately and my own comment would be that it tastes very classic Cornas - I mean that in a good way (obviously, I like the stuff). The tannins are obvious, as they should for a young Cornas, but smooth and not at all overpowering, and I think they will do the wine justice in time. I will buy a case of this, even though at my local Total (Cherry Hill, NJ) it sells for $20 - still a great deal, especially for a Cornas. Then I will do my best to sit on it for a few years, it needs it. No trace of 2003 burn, and a reasonable 13.8%.

[This message has been edited by Thraz (edited 06-16-2006).]


- oostexan - 06-16-2006

A Cornas for under 40 bucks... are you sure you read that label right? Need to go find some of that juice.

BTW, I was in Tain Hermitage this past October for two full days tasting Northern Rhones and I honestly do not get all the references to the grapes being sunburn, cooked, etc...yeah they are riper and fruiter from past vintages but they are still very structured and involving.


- Thraz - 06-16-2006

Good to hear about your experience in Tain Osstexan, this was my first northern Rhone from 2003 and I'm glad there is potential for more good ones. So far I have been disappointed in CdPs though.

As with you, the price tag is what made me suspicious... If you can find it and like the stuff (which you must, I can't think of many more reasons to spend two days in Tain), try it.


- oostexan - 06-16-2006

I tell ya, that trip to the Northern Rhone got me on a Syrah roll that I cannot kick. I had enjoyed Syrah in the past as an alternative to Bordeaux varietals. Now I consider it a grape that warrants a distinction in its own right, not second to Cab or any other. Matter of fact, I am purchasing more Syrah (Crozes, St. Joe, Hermitage, and Cali Syrah) than any other varietal right now. So I plan to find this sucker. :-)

In my limited experience, the tricky part with Cornas is aging it the right amount. The few bottles that I have had that were older than 10 to 15 years were just a little over my head. Of course, this may just be my palate. Thats my experience anyway....


- Thraz - 06-19-2006

Well, my two local Total stores (Cherry Hill and northern Delaware) only have two bottles left, and it will take them "two to three weeks" to get a case, which I've ordered. In the meantime, I saw online that the Tampa store raised their price to $19.99, same as the other Totals. I have a feeling I will not get my case, but I'll keep trying.


- oostexan - 09-18-2006

Thraz,

Have you tried any of the other cuvees? The Hermitage looks intesting as well, and so does that Crozes-Hermitage Blanc.

Mark


- Thraz - 09-18-2006

I have not had anything else from 2003 from this house. I have had previous vintages of other wines: 1999 and 2000 Crozes Hermitage Haut du Fief (very good), 1999 Crozes Hermitage - regular cuvee (blah), and 1999 Hermitage Gambert de Loche (very good).


- oostexan - 09-18-2006

Well, looks like it does not matter. Called Total today to order and it turns out that they do not ship.

Odd. That is the first internet site that I have found that does not ship. They only allow you to order on the site then pick it up at the store. STRANGE!!!

Any idea where I could get the wine besides Total?


- Thraz - 09-19-2006

The only other stores I've seen them at are some of the Canal's stores in south Jersey, from when I lived in the area. I know two of them that ship:

http://www.wineaccess.com/store/joecanals
http://www.wineaccess.com/store/canalsmarlton

Their prices are usually good too. They don't seem to have a lot of the 2003 from Cave de Tain in yet, but you might call them to check. One of the two stores (the second one in Marlton) used to complain about two things: one, that wineaccess never got their inventory right; and two, that Total would hog all the cave de Tain wines (really!).

[This message has been edited by Thraz (edited 09-19-2006).]