Jamie Goode on Northern Rhone
Jamie Goodewrites about 2 of Vine Trail wines in www.wineanorak.com June 2012 –
NorthernRhône series 21, Martine Vandre ChampMorel Crozes Hermitage and series 23, Cornasfrom Guillaume Gilles
Martine Vandre Crozes Hermitage‘Champ Morel’ 2009
This is abrilliantly focused Crozes Hermitage that offers personality at an affordableprice – just the sort of wine I like. It’s imported into the UK by vine Trail, a really interesting smallagency house.
12.5%alcohol. Fine, elegant, bright cherryand berry fruit nose with an attractive savoury, spicy dimension. Subtly meaty. The palate is fresh and vibrant with real elegance and nice meatiness. Lovely purity ad focus here: a brilliantwine. 93/100 (£12.31 exc VAT).
Guillaume Gilles Cornas 2007
Oh yes. I like this a lot. When Cornas is good, it can be great. This is a great example, from a youngvigneron called Guillaume Gilles, and I believe that this 2007 Cornas was his first vintage. Top notch. Available in the UK from Vine Trail.
13%alcohol. Sweet, brooding, ripe, meatynose. Quite elegant with someliqueur-like richness. Authentic. Brilliantly concentrated, expressive palateis meaty, spicy, vivid and mineral. Arich, multidimensional wine that speaks of its vineyard origins. 95/100 (£20.45 Vine Trail).