46 Year Old Rioja, a flight of Philippe Melka wines, a set of 1990’s Bordeaux, Barolo and Burgundy, oh my! Last night was quite lively with two dynamic groups opening up fantastic wines of both the Old World and New. Our first group had an impressive lineup of ripe and juicy, full bodied Cabertnets that anyone could easily fall for. My favorite from the lineup was the 2012 Melka CJ Cabernet, it’s great for the everyday glass with its plush tannins, approachable structure and explosive flavors. The 2013 Perfect Season always makes a huge impression in any crowd with its seductive fruit and mouth coating texture. The wine is rich in baking spices with notes of warm vanilla and coconut cream leading to a lengthy finish that makes the palate want more. It’s always a happy table when Philippe Melka’s wines are in the glass.
2009 Quill Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
2013 Perfect Season Cabernet
2012 Melka CJ Cabernet Sauvignon
2012 Robert Foley Claret
2002 Ramey Jericho Canyon Vineyard Cabernet
Our second group had a table filled with the old and rare. Mr. Richebourg opened a fantastic bottle of 1990 Leoville Barton! Wow, one of the better bottles of ’90 Leoville Barton that we have had with silky texture, dried and toasty spices, dried blackberry and black currant that gorgeously complemented the deep cedar, dense forest, matured leather and iron that were the leading notes in the palate. The finish was lengthy and smooth. Dr.E. opened up a stunning bottle of the 1995 Hospice de Beaune Corton Grand Cru Cuvee Charlotte Dumay by Dominique Laurent, now that’s a mouthful! The nose was very attractive with beautiful dried strawberries, red cherry, a touch of blackberry and soft, rounded spice. On the palate, everything was seamless. Red tea, nutmeg and coriander danced with the red and black fruit, while mushrooms, forest, truffle and turned soil sang the tune. A beloved local Restaurateur opened one of my favorite bottles of the night, a bottle of 1990 Aldo Conterno Barolo- wow! Simply extraordinary! The tannins have almost completely melted away, only making a presence more towards the finish. Wonderfully preserved red cherry pith, smashed raspberries and red currant was brilliant on the nose and palate and the spices and earth had mesmerizing powers! Leather, round black pepper, rich iron, rose, truffles; I can go on and on. The 1970 Faustino Rioja Gran Reserva was a great treat! The nose was explosive with insane funk that had me at first think that it could be old Chateauneuf du Pape, but the signature red cherry and dill came shining through and wouldn’t leave; it had to be old Rioja and it was wildly complex and quite splendid but ready to be drunk!
2009 Domaine Huet Vouvray Petillant Brut 1.5L
1970 Faustino Gran Reserva Tinto
1990 Aldo Conterno Barolo
1995 Hospice de Beaune Corton Dominque Laurent Cuvee Charlotte Dumay
1990 Leoville Barton
2003 Muller Catoir Haardter Herrenletten Spatlese