What another amazing night at Graileys celebrating a dear member and close friend’s birthday. And of course the only way we know how to throw a good bash is the ‘Graileys’ Way’ by opening fantastic bottles of wines. I mean, come on… 1989 Pichon Lalande and a bottle of 1990 Armand Rousseau’s monopole Clos des Ruchottes?… mind blown! I am sure you have had these wines time and time again, but I was ridiculously impressed with the bottles that were opened this night. It was and still is difficult to decide on my favorites of the night as each label was showing beautifully in its own right.
I have to talk about the 2012 Andremily Syrah. It is not available in Texas (yet, let’s keep our fingers’ crossed and pray to the wine gods and to a certain Fiver that we all know and love) but this wine was amazing! Looks like Manfred Krankl’s protégés are learning well from the legend. If the Maggie Harrison’s Lilian Gold Series Syrah is a baby SQN, then Jim Binns’ Andremily is its identical twin. Words do not do this new Syrah project justice in projecting how the wine tastes but I will give it a go: powerful yet majestic in structure, deeply concentrated dark fruits and striking layers of violets, smoke, graphite and rounded spice all in a lusciously textured package. What a treat it was to try this new star next to its originator SQN: 2007 ‘Pictures’ Grenache blend. Completely stunning and a little more graceful and polished than its off-spring with more notes of licorice and raspberry fruit; showing its SQN signature style: dense and rich while silky and pure.
Going into Burgundy and Bordeaux of older vintages, the 1990 Armand Rousseau Clos des Ruchottes Grand Cru Monopole and the 1989 Pichon Lalande were out of this world good! The 1990 Clos des Ruchottes was unbelievable! The black and red cherries were perfectly preserved and the spices completely rounded out with a deep savory sense that tied all the flavors together seamlessly. The 1989 Pichon Lalande was equally seamless in texture as its tannins just melted down into sweetness and showcased its complex layers of turned soil, dried cassis and plums, leather, vanilla, mocha and dried herbs. Oh and I haven’t even gotten to the 2000 Le Petit Cheval… There are plenty more to talk about as I have found some new favorites from the many great bottles that were opened on this celebratory night. And as you try some of these for yourself, they just might become your new favorites too.
Some Amazing Juice From The Night…
2012 Karthauserhofberg Riesling Kabinett
2011 Newton Chardonnay Napa Valley
1994 Peter Michael ‘Mon Plaisir’ Chardonnay
2011 Peter Michael ‘Mon Plaisir’ Chardonnay
NV Gramona III Lustros Cava
NV Gonet Medeville Premiers Cru Extra Brut Rose Champagne
NV Simonnet Febvre Cremant de Bourgogne Rose
NV H. Boillot Fils Cuvee Julie Champagne
2002 Pierre Peters Les Chetillons Cuvee Speciale Champagne
2003 Dom Perignon Metamorphosis Rose Champagne
2004 Dom Perignon Metamorphosis Blanc Champagne
2011 Domaine Perrot Minot Morey St Denis Premier Cru La Riotte
2011 Domaine Perrot Minot Chambolle Musigny Premier Crus Les Fuees
1990 Armand Rousseau Clos des Ruchottes Monopole
2008 E. Guigal St. Joseph
2003 Pignan Chateauneuf du Pape
2011 Domaine de Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape
2011 Domaine de la Grange des Peres Vin de Pays de l’Herault Rouge
2010 Lang & Reed 214 Cabernet Franc Napa Valley
2012 Matthew Wallace Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
1990 Duhart Milon
1989 Pichon Lalande
2000 Bel-air-ouy
2003 Pape Clement
2000 Le Petit Cheval
1999 Bryant Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
2010 Robert Foley Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
2012 Andremily Syrah
2007 Sine Qua Non ‘Pictures’ Grenache