It was a big night at Graileys last night as AJ was hosting a Blind Bordeaux tasting of Left Bank versus Right Bank of older vintages and it was also Tristal’s birthday. It is always a party when Tristal is here and with her new found love for “Chateau Chateau” (Not the Barossa Grenache. During LA’s going away party, Tristal converted to Bordeauxism from Californianity! {Graileys is non-devinoinational}), and along with a Bordeaux tasting in the back, you know some killer juice was opened!!
Ryan and I manned the front room while an intimate group gathered in the back for the Bordeaux blind tasting. Blind tasting is hard in general, I know I have made the wrong call for my final conclusions before, but imagine the added difficulties with older vintages of Bordeaux! But based on the wines poured and the happy faces that followed when the tasting was over, I have full confidence everyone enjoyed themselves and especially the wines. Some members did great (nailed four out of six)! Some members were pleasantly surprised that the bank they previously liked the least, they enjoyed the most when tasted blind. Overall AJ threw a great tasting and hopefully more Bordeaux tastings like this will be in our future.
In the Front Room, the night started with one of our house favorite whites: Arnaud Ente’s 2009 Meursault. Not as famous as the historic negociants of Burgundy, Simon discovered this small gem on his last trip to Burgundy. So much personal care goes into the vineyards and the results of their micro-production white Burgs in Meursault and Puligny Montrachet really shine. The ’09 Meursault was focused, with citrus zest, and clean minerality, balanced by an underlying savory component and with the classic Meursault richness. We cannot get enough Ente!
The next whites that were opened were my favorites of the night! (I know… how two white wines snagged my love when all kinds of Bordeaux were opened!?! Keep in mind, I did not get to try the Bordeaux {insert extremely sad face}). So I guess I had to settle with the 2008 Chateau Rayas Blanc!! And the 2010 Domaine d’Ardhuy Corton Charlemagne GC La Vigne Dieu!! Yields were really low in 2008, due to a cooler year, for all of southern Rhone, but cooler year or not, it is Chateau Rayas! One of the best if not the very best producer of CdP. So I am very one lucky bird to been able to try this one. It was so intense with rich perfumed notes of orange blossoms and magnolias, preserved Meyer lemons, quince and apricot, followed by this alluring spice. This wine is the ultimate diet killing combo: alluring and fat! The texture was rich and oily, and I picked up more savory elements in the palate. Delicate white mushroom and hard cheese brininess balanced by brilliant acidity and minerality. It was drinking simply lovely.
One can never fail with Domaine D’Ardhuy. Only in its 3rd generation, the Ardhuy family is causing quite a buzz in Burgundy and in Rhone with their La Cadotte label. The 2010 Domaine d’Ardhuy Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru La Vigne Dieu was drinking great! It was pure, and really elegant; balancing ripe orchard fruit and fresh sweet herbs to delicate spice and limestone. You can really pick up its sense of place in the wine that these super old vines produce. Domaine D’Ardhuy also produces a basic Bourgone blanc which drinks like a champ!
I have not even gone over the reds, but I guarantee you, not a bad bottle was opened. For those living vicariously through this blog, you can imagine what a great night that was had at Graileys.
Other great bottles opened from Thursday night…
2010 Kumeu River Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay
1994 Colgin Herb Lamb Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
1985 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
1998 Clos d’Estournel
1985 Chateau L’Evangile
2009 Antica Townsend Napa Valley
1978 Chateau Marguax
2002 Camp Pinot Noir Oregon
1999 Chateau Ausone
2000 Dominique Laurent Mazis Chambertin
1994 Cheat Mouton Rothschild
2007 Realm Cellars The Bard Napa Valley
1996 Chateau la Couspaude
1976 Chateau Palmer
1998 Paul Jaboulet La Chapelle Hermitage