As you may (or may not) have noticed, I have been gone for several days. Partly because my backup blog notes are missing… and partially because work has been a madhouse. But now I’m back and will endeavor to make up for it this week, starting with a bottle of wine I saw at Wine & Spirits on the “Last Chance” rack. I was very excited to try it as very little is generally within my price range in the Last Chance rack.
The Domaine des Cantarelles Viognier was, well, really not worth the excitement. A lovely dark gold, the nose was reminiscent of Tokaji, a wonderful desert wine from Hungary, smelling of toasted walnuts, expected pineapple and creme. Most white wines are supposed to be drunk within a year of their vintage date. Some high quality wines, however, such as Viognier and Chardonnay, can be aged for years. I was worried that the Cantarelles Viognier was not one of these and had passed its prime. Such earthy smells as walnuts can often be the indicator of a well matured wine or a wine too well matured that has gone bad.
While I do not think this wine had passed its peak, I’m not sure what its peak was supposed to be. While it did taste like toasted walnuts, the alcohol was so intense that it was unpleasant to drink. I could not get over how disjointed this alcohol level made the entire experience. It felt as though I was eating walnuts dipped in rubbing alcohol. My “great deal” last chance turned out to have been a real dud especially at the still quite high decreased price.
Sorry. I strive for better quality the rest of the week!
Domaine des Cantarelles Viognier, Vin des Pais, 2007
Price: $16.49 (used to be an insulting $21.99)
Alcohol: 14%
Rating: C-
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