Versatile Rhône white saves the day: Château de Nages Réserve 2004

Just a straight-ahead tasting note today. I used a standard notation to assess this wine, as explained on Steve De Long’s resourceful site.

(At the time, I couldn’t restrain myself from jotting down a note that read: “This is the kind of wine for bad days.” I can’t remember what exactly that referred to -- a poor tennis result, an nasty bill in the mail or a botched effort in the kitchen for dinner. It doesn't really matter. Based on my findings below, you don’t require a spectacular fumble to enjoy this pick-me-up.)

MY TASTING NOTE

9-08-06 at Montreal
Château de Nages 2004 - Réserve blanc
A.O.C. Costières-de-Nîmes
R. Gassier, winemaker
60% Grenche Blanc, 40% Roussanne

- Estate bottled
- Stoppered with plastic cork (that could’ve almost ruined my day!)
- 2004 vintage bottled in Burgundy bottles (or perhaps I should say those standard Rhône bottles with the sloping shoulders -- in any case definitely not the Bordeaux-type bottle pictured above)
- $14.30 (on sale at 25% off, I paid $10 and change... a real bargain)

Eye: In the glass, it’s pale yellow with a greenish tint.

Nose: On the nose, there’s honey, white flowers, some exotic fruit suggestion, like litchi. Quite alluring aromatics.

Mouth: Citrusy taste -- predominantly lime, pear, with a very long finish, especially for any of the whites that I’ve tasted recently. Full mid-palate highlighted by mineral elements. Pervasive freshness and a lovely body to this wine -- there’s a certain smoothness added by a silky viscosity. Balanced alcohol.

Table: I’m not sure this cuvée features much acidity yet it manages alongside different dishes quite well. I'm tempted to say anything goes with this supple and agreeable bottle. It will have a softening affect on the palate when paired with anything sharp and pungent, such as a highly seasoned pasta dish with kalamata olives and capers. If that makes the wine come off a tad flabby, unhitch its super-charged pear flavours by serving it with an appetizer course of cheddar cheese on slices of walnut bread.

Caissargues, France. 14%.