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| Cadel crossing the finish line. Emotional stuff. Gee I've spent a few weeks of late nights in front of this tv recently... |
Now as someone who dedicates a whole drawer to bike/outdoor/adventure (etc) clothing and may have spent far too much time putting together a Tour de France Fantasy team, you can imagine how exciting this was. Actually, I think any sports fans would have enjoyed Cadel's win, particularly given how long (and at times heartbreaking) the journey has been to get there. The clincher though was the raw emotion on Cadel's face, that look of someone who has worked so hard, for so long and failed so many times in the process, yet finally realises their dreams.
Suffice to say it was a rather emotional little period, and there may have been some moist eyes in the household.....
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| Pierre Gimmonet Paradoxe 2004 Not quite up to the task |
Sadly, this wine didn't do Cadel justice. I enjoyed my night so much that a slightly disappointing bubbly wasn't really going to derail the fun, but it still irks when you fork out $85 for something so far off the mark...
Pierre Gimmonet et Fils 1er cru 'Pardoxe' Brut 2004 (Champagne, France)
12.5%, Cork, $85
Source: Retail
It actually smells pretty good, with a richness and sherried and caramel lees development edge that is quite appealing. The problem lies on the palate, which has loads of acidity but little else, a thin, tart and lean/mean/green (fighting machine?) disjointed beast. Arguably it's too young, yet I'm just not feeling the balance on the palate, which doesn't have the depth to fight with that mount molesting green acidity. Hard going indeed (with even my less clinical Champagne drinking partner unable to get her head around it). 16/87
2009/10 WCA Wine Journalism 'Young Gun; Wine Judge; Gourmet Traveller WINE and Breathe Hunter Valley magazine contributor; LattéLife & The Retiree columnist; National Liquor News tasting panellist and Chablis lover who fell into the liquor industry chiefly to buy cheap beer.
I've had this twice now. Once, on release, and it was far too tight and young but seemed to have much promise. The second time it was up against a Larmandier Bernier Blanc De Blancs 1er Cru NV which kicked its arse. Th acidity of the Paradoxe was harsh although I think the added richness of the Pinot did balance it a bit. I still suspect it may come around with time but I'm not going to put my house on it.
ReplyDeleteFrom now on I'll be sticking with PG et Fils Blanc de Blancs range, especially the Fleuron. It's a much better wine and I think BdB is what these guys do best.
One last point - Tanzer's widely quoted note on the Paradoxe bore no resemblance to the wine in question IMO. It read like the wine was 100% Chardonnay. I don't read a lot of Tanzer but I'll be interested to see if he makes more sense on other wines as he 'missed' this one completely.
cheers
jeremy
Ditto to everything you said JP (I've even got some more Larmandier Bernier on the way as I like it so much).
ReplyDeleteThe wine blogging world misses you.
What a shame! I thought the muffins deserved an extraordinary glass of bubbles! Any spare muffins stashed in the freezer???:)
ReplyDeleteGreat celebrations to be had, as you said. Glad this didn't put a dampener on your night, AG. And I agree with your last comment. Feels like there's something missing, JP....
I drank MadFish Premium Red when I was watching the Tour the France and for me it was up to the task because I enjoyed the race and the wine.
ReplyDelete