By: AJ McClellan
When you walk into Graileys there is an atmosphere that swallows you, making you feel at home and relaxed. It is this atmosphere that has a way of making the hours pass like minutes creating a Las Vegas like effect allowing one to forget about the outside world and enjoy what they have in front of them. It is very possible to walk into Graileys looking for a bottle of wine to take home for dinner and end up surrounded by a group of friends and a plethora of wines eating dinner at the Graileys table… After experiencing this effect more times than a few one of our members lovingly gave us the nickname “Fantasy Island” – where time means nothing and all of your dreams come true.
It was one such nigh last Friday where one member after another walked in with a mind to only have a glass or two but ended up staying and helping to contribute to the growing pile of fantastic wines that we had strewn across the table. It all started with our first Tasting of the month, Republic showed up with a bottle of the latest vintage of Rubicon and Rubicon’s second label Cask each of which were killer for their price point. After that the bottles started to open and our table’s collection of wines began to grow.
Next wine to hit the table is an old regular here at Graileys – 1981 Pichon Lalande with classic Bordeaux written all over the inside of the glass this was a great way to start the night. Several other members walked in all contributing their own bottle to the table one with a 1995 Bryant which spoke of tropical fruits and exotic spices, the other a 2001 Haut Brion with boisterous tannins and powerful fruits backed by rustic earthy aromas. These wines could not be farther apart and yet there was a strange similarity that I found in the two wines that intrigued me.
By the time we were half way through our most recently opened bottle we had 10 members around the table each with a bottle in hand and a smile on their face. 2002 Marcassin Vineyard Chardonnay made its way to my hand and after I opened it and poured the wine for the table it was time to open a 1997 Ornellaia which was drinking like magic showing perfect terroir of dusty fruit and old forest floor. Next bottle to the table was a 1991 Guigal La Landonne which has the title of being a 200 point wine due to the 100 point scores it received from both Robert Parker and Wine Spectator.
All the glasses were full and it was time to take a break from opening bottles, but not for long. After an hour or so the line of bottle began to grow and it was time to refill some empty glasses. 1989 Meo Camuzet Aux Brulees was next with a perfect balance of acidity and minerality coming together with a long complex finish. The next three bottles all came out at the same time to join their brother that was already on the table – 2001 Latour, 1974 Lafite, and 1990 Mouton. The First growths were singing! Each with their own unique personality. The Latour was bold and brutish with ripe fruit and funky barnyard on the back. The Lafite was soft and supple with a dusty earthiness and dried floral finish. Last the Mouton was a mixture of the two, power and finesse with fruit and earth combined into a brilliant wine that has a great capacity to age for another 20 years.
Unfortunately we did not get the opportunity to try a Margaux as everyone around the table had their fair share of wine, but I am sure there is a distinct possibility that next time we will make a concerted effort to stretch for that last bottle…