WTN: Cave de Tain 2003 Crozes Hermitage

[Robin Garr]

From the grower cooperative in Tain, the village on the Rhone at the foot of the Hermitage hill, this 2003 isn't quite what I would have expected from such a hot vintage - well, the harsh and heavy tannins are, but not the light and herbaceous fruit. Not a favorite for me, and not really worth the toll. I don't see it going anywhere but down with cellar time.

<table border="0" align="right" width="170"><tr><td><img src="http://www.wineloverspage.com/graphics1/tain0119.jpg" border="1" align="right"></td></tr></table>Cave de Tain 2003 Crozes Hermitage ($14)

Pronounced tobacco-leaf character dominates in the nose, with subtle black fruit and black pepper following. Flavors consistent with the nose, rather light-bodied, simple fruit and rough tannins; fresh acidity reinforces the tannic structure, and green herbaceousness becomes increasingly evident with time in the glass. The tannins bespeak '03 but the fruit seems a bit shy for that hot vintage. A claimed alcohol level of 13% isn't all that high for the vintage either, assuming it's an accurate meassure. U.S. importer: Vintner Select, Mason, Ohio. (Jan. 18, 2007)

<b>FOOD MATCH:</b> Food helps smooth things over; it works well to wash down sliced leftover roast pork in a simple mushroom and red-wine sauce over mezzi rigatoni.

[Otto]

I've got one of these waiting and was going to suggest it for an open mike for this month's Focus! Great minds, and all that....

Notes to follow sometime in the future.

-O-

[Robin Garr]

Notes to follow sometime in the future.

I hope you like it more than I did, Otto! I don't think our tastes are so far apart, and it's definitely not spoofy, but ... ehhh ... so much tobacco leaf and leafy/weedy greenness, so out of whack ...

[Bill Buitenhuys]

I havent been a fan of Cave de Tain Crozes from the assorted vintages I've tried (not 2003), Robin. 2000 and 2001 were both out of whack. I have had decent Hermitage, very good St. Joseph, and excellent value basic syrah from them though.

[Robin Garr]

I havent been a fan of Cave de Tain Crozes from the assorted vintages I've tried (not 2003), Robin. 2000 and 2001 were both out of whack. I have had decent Hermitage, very good St. Joseph, and excellent value basic syrah from them though.

Thanks for the calibration, Bill. I'm pretty sure we had something decent from the co-op on the BuckoTour a couple of years ago, but I guess it wasn't Crozes.

[Otto]

I havent been a fan of Cave de Tain Crozes from the assorted vintages I've tried (not 2003), Robin. 2000 and 2001 were both out of whack. I have had decent Hermitage, very good St. Joseph, and excellent value basic syrah from them though.

De gustibus non est disputandum, but the 2001 is one of my all time favourite QPRs! I went through over two cases of it in the couple years it was available here for about 9€/bottle. I thought it was just what was expected of a N. Rhone Syrah and it was cheap (by Finnish standards). It did need a few hours in the decanter always, but I loved that herbal, peppery, Syrahfruit and how compatible it was it so many foods. Lovely wine. A pity I drunk all of mine. I hope I'll like the '03 even half as much.

Just out of curiosity - what did you find out of whack in the 2001?

-O-

[Bill Hooper]

I have a 2000 Hermitage Blanc from these fellas laying around downstairs. I remember getting it for a song a few years ago. Cave de Tain hasn't been available in my area for a while, but I used to love them for the money. Spiffy new label!



Prost!
Bill

[Bill Buitenhuys]

Just out of curiosity - what did you find out of whack in the 2001?

Looks like I'd better start ordering from Finland, Otto. My notes on the '01 said only "syrah is in there somewhere, very muted, overly bitter" I remember asking if it was a bad bottle and the guy pouring just shrugged.