When I first joined Graileys, Simon told me this place is crazy… He wasn’t kidding… A heavy case of the Mondays hit us at Graileys and what I mean by heavy case is a case of the newest release of Domaine de la Romanee Conti! BOOM! Most will agree that Monday’s are the worst days of the week and typically I could understand why. But not at Graileys my friend…
When The Chairman, Purple Jacket Bill and two Doctors sit down together at one table, you know your Monday will kick just about anybody’s Friday to the curb. The night started strong and ended strong, there wasn’t a bad bottle to be had. We started with a bottle of the 2005 Bernard Fauri Hermitage and straight from the bottle it was lively in aromatics and held great charm as all of its former edges smoothed over. Still very meaty and filled with dried herbs, dried violets, licorice and black pepper; but very graceful indeed.
1961 Vouvray- We have had at least four bottles of this wine now and this bottle is by far the most impressive bottle yet! Completely electrifying!!! Impeccably fresh, insanely clear and light in the glass whereas the other bottles have been appropriately golden in color. Dried green pears, apricot pith, white peach fuzz and white cherry pith shocked the palate. Hints of soft hay, freshly cut wool, almond skin and sheep’s milk cheese gave it more dimension and the finish was just as riveting as the palate.
1981 Haut Brion- Wasn’t immediately impressed when we opened the bottle but after it rested in the glass, it really blossomed into the signature flavors and textures that I love in Haut Brion!
2012 AF Gros Richebourg- One of my favorite Burgundies of 2012, this bottle never fails to impress. Bold rich flavors, bright fruit, supple and sexy!
2013 Domaine de la Romanee Conti Corton- With a fresh case of DRC in the cellar, it didn’t take long for us to open a bottle and the ’13 Corton blew us away!! When it first hit the glass it had it’s edges; but after some time with air, the nose opened up, the flavors expanded and the texture turned into beautiful red cherry silk.
A spectacular memory was created last night by some of our most beloved members. Mondays’ truly are the greatest days of the week…
Last Night’s Lineup
1961 Cloves Lefevre Vouvray Sec
2005 Bernard Fauri Hermitage
1981 Haut Brion
1986 Haut Brion
2012 AF Gros Richebourg
1982 Lynch Bages
1998 Clos de Papes Chateauneuf du Pape
2001 Daniel Bocquenet Echezeaux
1996 Remoissenet Montrachet
1993 DRC Richebourg
1989 Remoissenet Musigny
2009 Opus One
2002 Schwarz Wine Company Nitschke’s Block Shiraz