By: AJ McClellan
Sometimes the impromptu tastings are the most fun, and on any given day it can happen. All it takes is one member to plop down a great bottle and we are off to the races with everyone pulling out that special bottle that they have wanted to share.
1999 Penfolds Grange – This 99 Grange is possibly the best vintage I have had since the 82 we tried last year. A sweet nose of fresh bluebonnets on the side of the road surrounded by rich green grass and the light lingering aroma of exhaust from the tailpipe of a passing car. The palate exhibits classic light notes of barley and wheat with red violets and Bing cherries. After opening up for another hour the wine evolves showing deep black fruits while still hanging onto massive tannins with a back end of ultra ripe blueberries and notes of freshly cut grass. After another hour the classic eucalyptus and mint start to come out as well as restrained sandalwood, leather, and tobacco smoke. A weighty, robust wine with gigantic tannins and a well integrated alcohol structure.
2005 Arcadian Francesca – Arcadian wines have always impressed me, when I tasted this one blind I called it 96 Vosne-Romanee… Juicy pomegranate with dark currant, cassis, and tilled earth on the nose. The palate was alive with acidity and showing great earth aromas with a rich red and black fruits.
1986 Pichon Lalande – Whenever a Pichon hits the table you know it is going to be good. This one was right on showing classic tobacco, leather, sandalwood, and crushed cobblestone with bramble and smokey red fruits. There was a slight spice on the back coupled with great earth, dried prunes, and raspberries. After some time in the glass the Pichon started showing dark damp earth with forest floor and dark musty fruits. A finish of crushed dry leaves and cigar box lingered for a good 45 seconds before dissipating. Soft in the mouth with pure elegance this wine easily has another 10 years to go.
1997 Il Carbonaione – A fun little Italian wine with red liquorish, big spice, and red fruits on the nose. When I first opened the Carbonaione I set it aside so that I could concentrate on the Pichon, well it turns out it is a good thing that I did because when I finally came back to it after several hours of sitting in the glass the wine had flourished into a complex beautiful example of Italian Sangiovese. Dry dusty cherry with cinnamon, clove, vanilla bean, dry leaves, and haystack sat perfectly undisturbed in the glass. A lingering aroma of smoke mixed with a cigar box made of sandalwood helped this wine to the next level as a fantastic Super Tuscan.
2005 Domaine de Montille Beaune 1er Les Greves – Bright Red Fruits, sour bing cherry and ripe blueberry with crushed limestone and tart raspberry. This wine has a lineal minerality cutting the palate. Cloves, red twizler, and a nice dry mushroom make up the back end with a finish of red roses.
2000 Marcassin Upper Barn – Toasted Popcorn with caramel toppings served rolled in white flower petals with crushed rocks sprinkled on top. There was a beautiful note of sugared honey comb with burnt matchstick and the always present limestone backing. A long lingering finish with crisp green apple, peach pith, and a crisp minerality. After opening up there was the butter topping for the popcorn with more seasonings of acid and minerality. Developed a great note of flint and tea on the back end after an hour in the glass.
1984 Bouchard Montrachet – Immediately upon opening the first word on everyone’s lips was “Wow”. The nose had a laser like minerality with tangerine oil, beeswax, dried pineapple, acacia flower, melon, lime leaf, and spearmint. The palate has a consistency of chewing on honey comb and a flavor of grilled pineapples drizzled with honey served with a side of quince and garnished with freshly budding white roses. With every passing second the wine changed and grew in the glass moving from one tropical fruit to another showing smoked peaches, caramel green apples, papaya, mango, and back to pineapple and Asian pears. Brilliant little wine with fresh acidity like it was bottled yesterday but a heavy mouth feel that that you chewing on the wine for a good minute after you swallowed the wine.
Wine of the Night!