By: AJ McClellan
Saturday was a great night in Graileys! The 99 Blankiet surprised me with how softly it was drinking, but the wine of the night was the 99 Charvin by far. A lovely CDP with all the classic earth notes that you are looking for in an old world wine!
1978 Silver Oak Alexander – An interesting bottle of wine. The fruit had faded to an old dusty plum that lent heavily on a wall of old oak and spice. There was also a huge note of allspice, cardamom, and cigar box.
1999 Blankiet Estate – I was very pleased by the 99 Blankiet. The nose showed delicate black and red cherry with notes of lavender and chewing tobacco. I thought the wine was a little light for its age and while it was drinking great in the glass I don’t think it has much time left in the bottle.
1999 Jaboulet La Chapelle – This was my first time to try the 99 La Chapelle, and unsurprisingly it was fantastic! Familiar notes of black fruit, tanned leather, smoke, and game came from the glass. Another triumphal vintage for this great wine.
1996 Pavillon Rouge – I had a lot of fun with this bottle. When we opened it the wine stank like used baby diapers but within five minutes it had morphed into a lovely wine showing classic Bordeaux earth and forest floor like qualities. The longer I left the wine alone the better it got evolving to show some black currants and smoky minerality.
2006 Hourglass Cabernet – This is a great bottle of Cabernet showing boisterous black fruit with pine and clove on the back end. The palate was very nice with tannins that were just beginning to soften and a lovely finish of purple flowers and wood spice.
1999 Domaine Charvin CDP – A classic CDP with earthy aromas of animal fur, tar, leather, and barnyard. The fruit was light but still crisp with boysenberry and brambleberry with a long finish.
2002 Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer To Kalon – This wine was kicking with big tannins and thick black fruit. Once you waded through the tannic black cherries and over ripe plums you get to a more delicate layer of violets and lavender. The finish showed dark chocolate with pipe tobacco.