By: LA Perkel
It was one of those days when our members were on totally different drinking moods so we ended up with a broad range of wines. The only constant that day was Dr. Scott who, as usual, was craving proper Champagne. So he fished out a NV Jacques Selosse Brut Initiale from his cage. Interestingly, there was barely any visible mousse on the glass yet on the palate it was persistent although delicate. The wine’s has an absolutely spectacular nose with pronounced notes of caramel, baked pastry, brioche, green fruits, roasted nuts, and minerals that led to a full body with creamy texture lifted by a seaweed-like minerality. I was impressed by the wine’s balance, depth and complexity.
Another member walked in with a muscular California Cabernet in mind so next opened was a 2006 Bond The Matriarch whose aromatics were initially dominated by vanilla, espresso and toasty oak. The alcohol was likewise dominant on the finish. An hour in the glass and the wine started to open up showing some plums, black cherry, clove notes, and an interesting iodine component. This is a massive wine that needs more bottle age to soften some of that tannic structure and hopefully allow the oak and fruit to come into balance. Right now, I’m not a fan. From a recent cellar acquisition, we opened a 2002 Greenock Creek Alices Shiraz. This was expressive right out of the bottle: smoky with plums, blackberry pie, licorice, and black cherry. The palate was rich and opulent, with fine-grained, silky tannins. Not jammy at all. With great core of acidity. Very well integrated right now and I think this is in its prime-drinking window.
And just in time, Dr. David walked in the door with a bottle of 2000 Merry Edwards Cuvee Meredith Sparkling Wine. The nose screamed butterscotch! The palate was rich with creamier mousse and a lush fruitiness. This was produced from the first Pinot Noir harvest from Meredith Estate. Aromas and flavors of poached pear, buttered popcorn, and lemon curd. This was a pretty good New World bubbly. Simon popped open a 2000 Guigal Cote Rotie La Turque next which was compelling. Notes of tar, smoke, spice, black currant and blackberry notes defined the nose. The palate was full, supple-textured, great fruit depth, and fresh acidity. Still some grippy tannins noticeable on the finish. Would love to revisit this wine in another 5 years.
AJ and I were next poured a red wine blind. Appearance-wise, this wine showed a deep ruby core with very minimal rim variation. On the nose, the aromas were all oak-derived: mocha, espresso, vanilla. There was barely any fruit. A touch of graphite. Obtrusive alcohol and tannins. Out of balance. I was thinking a poorly made 2001 California Cabernet. I was completely off. It was a 2003 Chateau Lagrezette Cahors La Pigeonnier. Grape variety? Malbec from Southwest France.