clive on 1997…

1.11.2007billn

clive coatesIt’s good to see that Clive is finally putting pen to paper again. I (amongst others) shared a room with him earlier this year tasting through 80 or so 1997’s (many posts dotted around here) from which he has finally put up his notes for viewing on his site. Interesting then that given he annointed Sarah Marsh as his successor – he’s now putting stuff out in this free manner – seems strange…

Anyway back to 1997’s; I have to say that despite quite some correlation, for some wines I have to seriously beg to differ. He tasted mainly before lunch and some in the early afternoon, and I in the afternoon – so the bottles (or those that were not replaced – but most were) had been open let’s say 4 hours.

  • 1997 Jean Grivot, Richebourg – Now-2017+ 18.5
    For me 15 (at best) – and consistent with a bottle at home about 8-9 month ago – Cathiard’s Malconsorts is much better.
  • 1997 de Vogüé, Musigny, Vieilles Vignes – Now-2017+ 19.5
    A better wine and perhaps worth 17

Clive always rewarded these domaines with high marks, though he also marks ‘in context’, so 19.5 would be almost the apogee of the vintage – I felt that both of the Griottes on show bettered the Musigny VV – perhaps my view-points would be too relative…

Still, welcome back Clive!

Agree? Disagree? Anything you'd like to add?

There are 4 responses to “clive on 1997…”

  1. Dr Burgundy5th November 2007 at 12:25 amPermalinkReply

    I am glad to see you taking issue with some of Clive’s tasting notes. While I found the family histories in his Cote d’Or tome very useful the lack of detail in his tasting notes is the source of much merriment: “Fine. Very fine. Grip. Not bad perhaps, indeed, good. Good, almost quite good.” Compared to Parker or even the Guide Hachette the notes are empty and don’t paint a picture of the wine. Poor. Lack grip.

  2. bill nanson10th November 2007 at 4:11 pmPermalinkReply

    You are harsh Dr.B – if your palate aligned with his you would have a good hit rate – but he seemed to have a slavish approach to scoring some domaines that left me dumbfounded…

  3. Dan Perrelli18th November 2007 at 10:19 pmPermalinkReply

    Perhaps, like the rest of us, he is passionate about his personal biases. As with all critics, once you get to know Mr. Coates ‘tendecies’, he is as reliable as they come, and less censorious than most. And from what I’ve heard, you do not want his notes from most afternoons.

  4. bill nanson22nd November 2007 at 12:01 amPermalinkReply

    Hi Dan,
    Agreed on reliable – though ‘quirky’. He lists his top 10 domains in the ‘Wine Report 2008’ – I don’t remember exactly as I only took a quick glance – Grivot is #1, DRC is 4th or 5th or some such…
    Cheers

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