By: Ryan Tedder
Back in the saddle again and always open to great wine, last night proved to be quite an enjoyable Bordeaux experience for all involved. It seems like we have been in Champagne Campaign mode with small member dinners with Salon, Krug and Ruinart, it was a nice change of pace to drink some excellent vintage red Bordeaux with really great people.
A thoroughly enjoyable vintage find was the 1983 Chateau Beychevelle from Saint Julien. This fourth growth can achieve great things in good and great vintages. This wine was thoroughly aged with a vinous, pipe tobacco, dry leather, black truffle, dried figs, plums and dried violets. In the later ages o fits drinkable life, this wine was impressive for its sense of place and purity in a rather rustic, old school style.
Next up I really enjoyed the 1989 Leoville Las Cases from Saint Julien. This fantastic chateau makes great wines in almost every vintage. It is a true “Super Second” and the 1989 had those tell-tale left bank red currant, cedar, cigar box, light smoke, gravel and pencil lead. There was a very soft, round, silty tannin that was very aromatic as well with dried flowers, leather, tobacco. Another mature wine but one that should continue to drink in this beautiful window for a number of years.
The next wine was the only one from the Right Bank and for me it was the wine of the night. The 1990 Vieux Chateau Certan from Pomerol is a house favorite this wine did not disappoint from the stellar 1990 vintage. The wine had a sweet bouquet of charcoal, licorice, roasted herbs, forest floor, and a meaty, truffle-like scent. A fleshy, full-bodied wine with supple, round, lush tannins and plenty of life left in the bottle. There was real power and pure fruit to go with the mineral, grilled meat, wood smoke and exotic aromas in this delightful wine. Find this and buy some!
We finished with with a bottle of 2003 Pichon Lalande from Pauillac. This Graileys house favorite was impressive as always. I do not think the 2003 with be a replica of the classic 1982 vintage, but this wine showed power, rich fruit, spicy, toasty oak with coffee bean, dark chocolate, black currant, cassis, blackberry, black cherry and vanilla bean. A decidedly modern bottle of Pichon Lalande that has been consistenly impressive. Much less evolved than the other wines we tasted but just as enjoyable!
What a great day for Bordeaux drinking!