Wine: TOLLOT-BEAUT Aloxe-Corton 1997
I don’t think I’m ready to drink wines like this. At a fifty-dollar plus price tag, the risk and expectations are just too high. I opened the bottle to see that the top of the cork was looking a little green. My heart sank. As I pulled out the cork though, I could see that the rest of it was fine and the wine didn’t appear to be corked or at least I don’t think so (another reason I shouldn’t drink a wine like this). I’m inquiring with the wine store owner if it is possible that occurred or not.
Anyway, the thing stank of wet mushrooms and came out a brick red, all bad signs. I pushed it aside and ignored it for about half an hour. When I looked back, it was a nice ruby and the smell of must had mostly gone away. Phew!! I served the wine with duck in cherry sauce and mushroom risotto. The first few sips I drank by itself before dinner, and they were amazingly complex. However, those went away pretty fast and we were left drinking an enjoyable dry but smooth wine that was comparable to other French wines we’ve had for less than half the price. Sigh…
I’m not sure if my experience was normal or not. Is my palate unrefined? Was this not a particularly extraordinary wine? Is $55 not enough for a fantastic Burgundy form 1997? Was 1997 not a great year in the region? Did the moldy tip of the cork cause a slight bit of taint that subdued the flavors? Did the cherry sauce in the duck bias our taste buds for more bold flavors? All in all, there are too many factors, and at a price tag that high, it isn’t worth the risk to do on a regular basis. Still, it was an enjoyable experiment. I think we might just wait until after we come back form our trip, with a bit more knowledge and experience, to take a risk like that again.
On a happier note, we drank an incredible $12 wine from Sicily that knocked our socks off: Colosi Sicilia Rosso Cariddi 2000. Thanks Morgan & York, everything you’ve recommended us has been stupendous.
technorati tags: Aloxe-Corton, french wine, 1997 Burgundy
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