By: AJ McClellan
We had Berry Switzer in last night for a great wine tasting. Barry is one of the best owner/winemakers we have had the privilege to host here at Graileys. He was full of stories, telling us about everything from how he got started in the wine business, to stories of his mother and how he was brought up, and of course a teaser here and there of great football events that he has been a part of.
2009 Switzer Cabernet Sauvignon – This wine was the main event! Barrys wine was well structured with solid tannins and wonderfully elegant fruit. The palate was seamless with great integration of the tannins and very good balance. All of that being said this wine is still very young and will benefit greatly from another decade in the bottle.
1996 Joseph Phelps Backus – A great Cali Cab with a strong fruit forward structure and great spice on the finish.
2007 Merus – This bottle was a little young but drinking very forward with black fruits and huge tannins. A good bottle but this wine will benefit greatly with another 5-10 years of age…
1989 Caymus Special Selection – A special bottle that we opened for Barry. The wine was in the perfect drinking area with still sweet red fruit and a subtle allspice backing this wine was delicious!
2001 Selbach Oster Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese Riesling – This was a rare treat, wonderfully classic Riesling! Notes of petrol upfront with subtle kiwi and tropical fruit finish. Lovely bottle that was in a great drinking window.
1995 Pichon Lalande – I am really getting into young Bordeaux (and by young I mean 10-20 year old)…. This 95 Pichon was stunning with a wonderful fruit backing that complimented the subtle earthy tones perfectly. This was a complete wine and while extra time in the bottle would still help this bottle to its crescendo, I don’t know if I could keep my hands off the last few that we have for much longer…
1990 Leoville Las Cases – It was Gregs birthday today and as is Graileys tradition we opened a great bottle of wine for him… The 90 Las Cases was simply beautiful! Sweet black fruit with deep spice and earthy notes followed by a subtle note of dark chocolate and cigar smoke.