By: AJ McClellan
Once the tasting was over with all the usual suspects went into the lockers and pulled out some real jewels to share with our guest.
2002 Robert Foley Claret – I think that this Claret has finally started to unwind, showing much softer than the 08 we had earlier with rich ripe black fruits and soft leather. The palate was ripe and sweet but with an excellent balance that made the wine drink like glass.
1974 Stags Leap Cask 23 – This wine blew my mind. I had it in my glass for almost 4 hours and the wine was brilliant from start to finish. This is one of the best Cali Cabs I have had in a long time. The nose showed star anise, tobacco, leather, dry sweet black fruits, and roasted blueberries. The palate was beautiful with bold liquorish and huge spice box followed by a light touch of cedar and a finish of spearmint.
1982 Cos d’Estournel – Maderized 
1995 Monbousquet – Rather tight upon opening but after an hour in the glass the wine mellowed out show rich dark fruits with a light note of earth and forest floor. Interestingly the wine tasted to me like a well made California wine done in a Bordeaux style…
1994 Dalla Valle – A little woody, Corked? There was still some fruit there and the wine was drinkable but it was very muted and left a finish of balsa wood in my mouth.
1983 Haut Brion – This bottle just reminds me of why I love Haut Brion so much… Damp forest floor pours off the nose with highlights of red and black fruits, smoked cedar, cigars, and mud pie. The palate was soft but with a strong tannic backbone that made the wine sit at attention on your palate. A long finish completed the wine making it an absolute delight to drink.
1985 Cos d’Estournel – A beautiful wine full of dry red roses, tobacco, and black fruits. The palate was well balanced with earthy notes mixed in with cooking spices and a rocky minerality.
1990 Palmer – This bottle consistently impresses me. Rich fruits that are just turning from ripe to dry on the nose paired with classic Bordeaux pencil lead and barnyard. The palate is seductive with smooth tannins and a soft luscious mix of red cherries, tobacco, and earth.
1999 Comte Armand Clos des Epeneaux – A very small production wine, when I first opened it the wine showed absolutely nothing. After having the bottle open for an hour, still nothing. I left this alone in the glass for the rest of the night… After four hours I finally came back to it to discover that the wine had finally flourished into a brilliant wine with a dancing display of bright fruits, earthy minerality, and exotic spices.