AJ McClellan
Today is a special day – our good buddy D’lynn Proctor is getting married! I would like to take a moment to say congratulations to D and Candice! I hope you both have a fantastic honeymoon!
2007 Paul Dolan Zinfandel – An easy start for the evening with a great little Zin. Blueberry bubblegum and cherry pie with baked cloves and a light white pepper background. The fruit is chewy and mixed with caramel and leather. A great little easy drinking Zin to get us started.
1978 Guigal Hermitage – Stewed cooked fruits and bacon cooked on a skillet with a slight funk on the nose. After taking the first sip the wine was pleasant but slightly off, and D was quick to point out a slight cork taint on the finish of the wine – very disappointing…
1998 Lesec Les Galets Blonds Chateauneuf du Pape – Burnt tar and blackberries up front, the palate had a light leather and bramble mixture finishing with a medley of dark wild berries. This wine was drinking great and had plenty of life left in it.
2001 Mas Igneus Costers – Great little wine with a beautiful perfume of black raspberry liqueur, cassis, minerals, kirsch, and flowers, superb purity, a lush, layered texture, and a tremendously persistent finish that lasts for 40+ seconds.
2006 Fotinos Brothers Pinot Noir – This is truly a deep and serious Pinot Noir. It coats the palate with spice and stone fruit, white pepper and plums. Hints of dark chocolate balance the tart bing cherry. Tannins are evident but supple, proffering a long and elegant finish.
2005 Jones Family Cabernet Sauvignon – This wine hits on all cylinders. Very fruit forward on the palate with a nice almost chewy dusty texture and well-integrated tannins. Layers of sweet toasty French oak complement the plumy, cherry flavors. Hints of black olive and cedar add complexity on the finish.
1986 Senejac – D decided he needed a little bit or Bordeaux so we broke open this little jewel. Roasted black berries with plenty of lead and gravel on the nose. Lavender and purple flowers on the palate with the unmistakable forest floor that we all know and love from Bordeaux.
Now it was time to get cranking with a little bit of Bubbly!
1990 Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle Rose – Wow what a great little Champagne! Sparkling watermelon and strawberries with a slight hint of creamy yeast on the nose. The palate was wonderful with a tart cherry and a dash of crumbled brie cheese. The finish was smooth and long; this was a great bubbler!
1986 Taittinger Art collection – Simon donated this beauty to the table and it was singing! The exact opposite of the Laurent Perrier: raw power. Bold yeastiness and creamy Asian pear with green sour apple and sourdough bread exploded off the palate of this wine, making a huge statement on my taste buds.
1986 Pol Roger Churchill Magnum – I could not resist the temptation to saber the bottle, and after a couple of botched tries D had to take it away from me and do the deed himself, which was quite impressive to see after the amount of wine he had consumed. The wine was well worth the wait with a floral nose of honeysuckles and lilies. The palate was fantastic with Meyer lemon, sliced green apple, and yellow cake.
