By: Philip Robert
09 Rhys Santa Cruz Mountains Chard – Fresh from the latest shipment I read the insert which said good for current consumption. After having the RM Theriot the day before this was a disappointment. Just flabby and not much going on other than the profile one would consider typical cali chard without a huge dose of toasty oak. Someone called it Rhombauer eqsue. I got pineapple but that was about it. Bummer..
Moved on to:
92 Remoissenet Meursault Genevrieres Mag – This was firing right from the get go but I had the chance to follow it over 3 hours and it was delicious and kept changing in the glass. Still crisp with a backbone of acidity, ample stone fruit flavors and minerality. A real treat!
02 Potel Clos de la Roche Mag - A touch of reduction on the nose initially that blew off after a short while in the glass. Silky and smooth with dark raspberry and a nice little floral nose. Still think needs time sideways.
03 Pape Clement - This was drinking really really well. Fully ripe yet balanced, huge nose of blackberry brambles and earthiness. Loaded with fruit on the palate, for those who like a bigger more structured wine this is in your wheelhouse.
96 Pahlmeyer Red Blend – Very bordeaux like in every respect, drinking at apogee in my opinion. Perfectly stored bottles, leather and tobacco with dark plum. A real treat.
96 E. Guigal Ampuis - We have had this bottling numerous times and it has always delivered. Meaty, bloody iron, sauvage, touch of barnyard, mix of red and black fruits. A lot going on to wrap your head around. Delish
02 Paul Hobbs To Kalon – Delivered a knockout blow. While Cabernet is not my favorite and I could drink burgundy all day long, I have to give props where they are due because this was simply a very well made wine that had everything you could want if you are a cabernet lover. I could see how this could garner high scores. Black as night in the glass, dense and brooding, but given time to open up this reveals some cocoa powder, tobacco, black cherry and anise. Fully mouth coating and a great finish. A deft hand made this for sure.
1993 Meo Camuzet Les Chaumes – One of our members liked this so much he asked for another bottle to be opened again having had it the night before. Though this bottle was even better with a nose of violet and purple jolly ranchers. Silky on the palate yet with a firm backbone of tannin and acid. We have been opening a lot of 93s and they seem to be coming round just right.