Another birthday celebration for a dear member and close friend brought another great night at Graileys. The list of bottles opened from Friday night is as grand as each bottle tasted. I will just hit the highlights of the night, but you can see the lengthy lineup of amazing wines down below. Favorites from the Champagnes and probably of the entire night for me was the 1989 La Grand Dame Veuve Clicquot: ridiculously delicious with bright citrus, rounded spice and minerality. The bubbles had calmed down in its age, but the flavors were impressively fresh. If all birthdays started out with this wine, the world just might be a better place.
From the Burgs: the 1996 Leflaive Bienvenues Batard Montrachet was the standout. Candied pears, preserved Meyer lemons and wild yellow flowers were incredibly pure while the clean minerality cut through the weighty texture of this beautiful Chardonnay.
As for the reds… the 1989 Elio Altare Barolo Arborina and the 2012 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny, although the 2012 Matthew Wallace had a good run for the money. The 1989 Elio Altare Arborina Barolo tasted more regal than expected from the legendary Elio Altare. Impeccably seamless layers, savory with notes of shaved truffle, dried earth and dried licorice. Sweet notes of plums and baking spice really rounded out the wine as it offered a lengthy, truffle and tobacco finish.
You really cannot be more opposite in the flavor spectrum from the 1989 Elio Altare Barolo than with the 2012 Bevan Ontogeny. The 2012 Bevan Ontogeny was as sexy as the first time I tried it. Richly defined with blackberry and blueberry pie, crème de cassis, every purple flower from your local florist, dark chocolate, vanilla and sweet licorice spice all packed in a velvety, luxurious punch- if that makes sense. The 2012 Matthew Wallace Cabernet Sauvignon offered a more masculine structure and juicy deep fruit without being overly flashy. My new favorite flavor of 2012 Cabernet, the Matthew Wallace had layers of tar and smoke that gave it a little more character and depth than the deliciously showy Bevan. Both 2012 stellars, but the Bevan took the limelight on this lively night. Take a look at the list down below and see if you can spot any of your favorites or pick out wines to add to your list of new wines to try.
Friday Night Lineup
NV Eric Rodez Blanc de Blancs
NV Michel Gonet Rose
NV Krug Rose
NV Krug Grand Cuvee
2007 Bellavista Franciacorta Rose
1989 Bollinger Grand Annee
1989 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame
2009 Arnaud Ent Meaursault La Goutte D’or
1996 Etienne Sauzet Batard Montrachet
1996 Domaine Leflaive Bienvenues Batard Montrachet
2007 Louis Latour Corton Charlamagne
1997 Oliver Feflaive Bienevenues Batard Montrachet
1995 Louis Jadot Clos Saint Denis
1990 Domaine Rossignol Trappet Chambertin
1998 Domaine Humbert Frerers Charmes Chambertin
2006 Domaine Denis Mortet Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes
2010 Domaine de Janasse Chateauneuf du Papes Cuvee Chaupin
1995 Chateau Margaux
1990 Chateau La Louviere
2003 Chateau Pape Clement
2011 Au Bon Climat Hildegard White
2007 Aubert Chardonnnay
2012 Matthew Wallace Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 Continuum
2012 Bevan Cellars Ontogony Red Blend
2001 Rotllan Torra Amadis Priorat Red Blend
1989 Elio Altare Barolo Arborina
1988 Mastrojanni Brunello di Montalcino
1957 Barbeito Boal Madeira