WTN: 2 Burgs and a Cote Rotie

Sala lunch with some of the usual suspects.

Comte Lafon Meursault Clos de la Barre 2001 - Medium gold. Melon and orange. Firm acidity. Vibrant but elegant. Slightly buttery after and hour. Long dry finish. Very good.

Louis Jadot Clos St. Denis Grand Cru 1999 - Warm, leathery. Still young but very attractive now. Sweet, ripe fruit. Some earthiness. Coffee. Some sweetness on the nose came up after about an hour in the glass. Really easy to drink. Could probably do with a bit more age but I'm not complaining. Excellent.

Jamet Cote Rotie 1998 - Very dry. Dried herbs with a leafy underlay. I told Noel that I keep getting the same aromas in Rhone wines so I asked him if this was "garrigue." Apparently it was so now I can use it in my tasting notes with confidence. This wine smells of garrigue. Softish tannins and just a little musty. While the aromas are quite nice, the flavors seem to be muted although I thought it was a very good wine. Maybe it needs a few more years to really shine. Very good now with potential for excellence in a few years.

[David M. Bueker]

I am surprised a '99 Grand Cru was open and enjoyable, Despite the reputation as a friendly vintage I have found most '99s to be rather unyielding as of late.

We had the 99 Jadot CSD last week and I thought it was a bit blocky but Maureen found it quite silky. She's probably right but I think we all agreed that time would only be kind to it.