By: Ryan Tedder
Nothing like Tuesday evenings at Graileys! Some of our best clients took some of the riches with them to dinner-it was just 2003 Penfolds Grange (100 pointer), 1992 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon (Unreal!) & 1969 Remoissenet Chambolle Musigny (Needed air!)- No biggie. Some other wines were so good that they didn’t make it out the door! It was a fun night all around.
Three of them especially stood out. As rare as these wines are, it is such an amazing treat to drink them on a regular basis. As LA & I often say, a bad day at Graileys is like a good day almost anywhere else.
1999 Louis Jadot Chevalier Montrachet “Les Demoiselles” Grand Cru was stunning as always. Ever bottle except 1 of this beautiful wine have been spot on each and every vintage. Their was beautiful tension between the grippy dry extract, limestone minerality, noticeable acidity, and luxurious oak. The wine came across the palate like a kaleidoscope of flavors. Baked apple pie, spun honey, honeysuckle, candied lemon, dry white flowers, bruleed pear and toasted, buttered bread and honey roasted peanuts. It drank like a boss!
2000 Vincent Girardin Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru was a complete contrast in styles most likely due to vintage. The Vinny G was fat, plump and opulent. Over the top creamy peach yogurt, baked apple pie, butter, pineapple, mandarin orange and caramel. The oak was lavish, the fruit ripe, and the wine was almost reminiscent of an older Aubert Chardonnay. Eye opening comparison of the two.
1998 Dominique Laurent Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru was the best red Burgundy of the night. This producer makes wines thatr show better younger than some of the more traditionalist Domaines of the Cote d’Or. In my opinion this sacrifices total ageability and the wines are rather blousy and fruit forward. Nonetheless the wines taste quite good. The myriad of red fruit was spot on: cherries, raspberries, wild strawberries, pomegranite, sandal wood, dried roses and baking spices took me to Russian River with more “other stuff” going on. Enjoyable but definitely not going to get better in the cellar-drink up!