Another great night at Graileys! This time we started with one of E. Guigal’s top whites, the 2011 La Doriane Condrieu. This Viognier was full-bodied with explosive aromas of wild flowers, preserved apricot and lemon curd. The texture was rich and the flavors were as loud as its gold and floral label as layer after layer of ripe stone fruit, white pineapple, and honeysuckle flavors coated the palate while deep minerals and brilliant acidity counterbalanced the luscious fruit.
There were two Bordeaux from 1996 that were opened: Chateau Lynch Bages and the Carruades de Lafite (Lafite’s second label). Both were showing beautifully, but the Carruades showed better to me than the Lynch Bages. With a bit more Merlot than its big brother and with its age, the texture was plump and round with silky tannins. There were no specific flavors that were dominant in my glass as the secondary flavors of cedar, espresso, and deep earth perfectly integrated to the fruit that was still very ripe and fresh.
The Lynch Bages showed a touch less finesse than the Carruades, but showed off its plentitude of character and power. I got more savory notes from this tasty 5th as dried herbs, charcoal and smoke paved the palate followed by dried lavender, cedar, and dried black and red cherries lingered in the back-end. Not as plump as the Carruades, the ’96 Lynch Bages was more focused in structure and had great depth in earth driven flavors with a persistent finish. How fantastic it was to be able to taste these great Pauillac houses side by side.
We also opened up a bottle of 1995 Cos D’Estournel which was ripping! This Super Second was showing like the champ that it is! The blackberry and black currant were rich, ripe, and concentrated. Layers of sweet licorice, smoke, tar, and spice hit the palate with laser beam focus. This wine had power, grace, and agility all in one glass: classic Cos d’Estournel for sure.
It was another great night at Graileys, with killer Bordeaux all from great vintages taking the win for the wines of the night. For me, the Cos d’Estournel got the gold, while the Carruades came in with a close second, and the Lynch Bages as a strong third. Where else can one experience great Bordeaux houses from great vintages and taste them in comparison such as a flight like this? Only at Graileys.
Other great wines that were opened….
NV Camille Saves Champagne Brut Grand Cru Rose
NV Krug Grande Cuvee
1992 Meo Camuzet Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru
2012 Bevan Cellars Pinot Noir
2008 Chateau de Fonsalette Cotes du Rhone
2000 Chateau Bahans Haut-Brion
2009 Buccella Cabernet Sauvignon