Drinking Some Good Wines

By: AJ McClellan

Last night was a good one with a full house and a great lineup of wines opened on the table. The Remoissenets were the highlight of the night but I was also impressed with the Pichon and Revana…

2008 Cinq Cepages – This bottle is becoming a standard on the table at Graileys. Great ripe fruit notes with subtle oak and nice spice.

2007 Vieux Chateau Certan – I think this bottle is drinking like a champ. After a few hours of being open the wine shows rich ripe strawberry and black cherries with smoking tobacco and tilled earth.

2008 Conn Valley Eloge – A great effort by Conn Valley. The 08 Eloge is drinking very well with forward red and black fruits and a nice backing of dark chocolate and cooking spice.

2007 Revana Cabernet – In the past I have not been overly impressed by the Revana Cabernets. This 07 has changed a lot in the year and a half since I last tasted it. The tannins have softened considerably and the fruit has bloomed showing big red cherry and plum notes. There was a hint of leather on the palate with clove and anise. A very nice bottle of wine.  

2009 Capture Alliance – I was slightly disappointed in this bottle of Capture. Maybe we simply did not give it enough time to open in the glass but it was drinking really tight and was muted on the nose and palate.

1969 Remoissenet Clos Vougeot – Remoissenet always shows. Smooth tannins with a pleasing acidity and bright vibrant red fruit notes that defy the age of the bottle.

1966 Remoissenet Lavaux St Jacques – Very similar to the Clos Vougeot but darker on the nose and palate with slightly more earth and a touch of liquorish.

2007 The Famous Gate Pinot Noir – Easy pleasing Pinot with big black fruit and a medium body.

2005 Mortet Gevrey Chambertin Mes Cinq Terroirs – This is just a fin bottle of wine. Every time I try this wine it gets better and better. Big red fruit with subtle earthy notes that I think will bloom with more time in the bottle. This wine is drinking well now but I think it will really hit its stride in another 5-10 years.

2007 Dumol Russian River Chardonnay – Rich butterscotch with honeyed pear and lime zest.

1989 Pichon Lalande – A great way to finish the night! Big earth notes on the nose and palate, classic Bordeaux funk with forest floor and tilled soil combined with dry black cherries and currants. The palate was soft and smooth, drinking a little too easily. A wonderful bottle.

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