By: AJ McClellan
Yesterday was a great day around the table at Graileys. We opened some killer bottles, a few I have never had before. After things got started there was a heated debate as to whether California wines or Bordeaux wines were better. To settle the issue we opened a 94 Colgin and an 89 La Conseillante and put them up against each other head to head. After tasting both bottles it was decided that we love wine and it is best to not quarrel about what wine is better than what… in other words it was a tie…
NV Bollinger Rose – This rose never fails to impress. Strawberries and cream all day with a subtle minerality that makes this wine a delight to drink, especially after coming inside from a hot summer day.
2001 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon – I have had many mixed experiences with Etude, some good, some bad… Fortunately this bottle was very nice. The nose showed black fruits with a hint of tanned leather and black peppercorns. The palate was soft and silky with a bold finish of dark fruits and lavender.
2000 Dominus – This was a bit of an off year for Dominus, scoring only 87 points from Parker, but the bottle I tried last night was quite nice. Good fruit structure on the nose and palate with well developed tannins and a pleasantly balanced finish…
2008 Jones Family The Sisters Cabernet Sauvignon – The 2006 bottling of The Sisters set a very high bar for the 08 vintage, and Thomas Browne did a great job with his currant release meeting the quality of the 06 vintage. The palate is still a little tight but very approachable for a wine of such youth. In the next couple of years I think the 08 Sisters will be a great bottle of wine.
1994 Colgin – WOW! In case you didn’t get it the first time I’ll say it again, WOW! This bottle gives me hope for Californian wine. The nose was brilliant right out of the gate showing bright red currants, cranberries, and raspberries. After the initial barrage of fruit there was a deep core of warm apple pie spice, cinnamon, sandal wood, and event a little earth. The palate was amazing and continued to get better with time in the glass. After an hour the wine was singing showing an incredible complexity and remarkable balance. Wow…
2001 Convent des Jacobins – One of our members brought this bottle back from St Emilion for us to try. It was quite nice although it was in need of another 5-10 years in the bottle. Good fruit structure with a tight tannic core.
1978 Weingut dr Alex Senfter Nierftein am Rhein und Gabsheim Rheinhessen Beerenausleie – This was another amazing bottle of wine, possibly the best bottle of Riesling I have ever had. The nose was terrifically complex showing quince, Asian pear, Washington apple, white peach, limestone, marl, hints of petrol, and a beautiful bouquet of honeysuckles and lilies. The palate was just as complex with a medium viscosity
1989 La Conseillante – A great bottle to finish out the night. Classic Bordeaux with a handful of graphite, forest floor, and big barnyard. The palate was very nice with dark fruits and a stony minerality followed by a long finish.