Domaine de Cayron

Domaine de Cayron 2000 (Gigondas, France)
Not scored - faulty
(although this is a 90-Parker-pointer for those who are into that sort of thing)

With Sophie at Harts Restaurant in Nottingham. Fabulous dinner, though sadly this wine was troubled by some secondary fermentation in the bottle. I guess that is the price you pay for natural unfiltered and unfined wine. The nose was fantastic, really Chateauneuf style, all gamey rusticity and brett. The plate was spoiled. I suspect underneath was a great wine trying to get out, but we'll have to wait and see - I have another two bottles and from what I can detect from the underlying wine this has at least another 3-5 years ahead of it.

Domaine du Cayron is one of the most notable producers in the scenic little village of Gigondas, which used to be a poor-mans Chateauneuf-du-Paper, but is now producing outstanding wines in its own right. This bottle was bought from Mouseuir Faraud in his garage sales room under the house. Much use of pigeon-French required! http://www.domaine-cayron.com/

Parkers note: "This rustic, traditionally-styled Gigondas is normally a blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and the rest Cinsault and a touch of Mourvedre. A sexy, Provencal fruit bomb, the 2000 Gigondas exhibits notes of dried Provencal herbs, licorice, kirsch, smoke, and incense. Old hippies take notice. There is good fat and flesh along with low acidity, and a precocious, flamboyant personality. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. Drink 2003-2011. (last tasted 2003)".