By: AJ McClellan
I love wine! The best nights always come when you are the least suspecting. It was Dave’s last night in town and we had invited the whole world to come down and drink wine with us. I was expecting a crazy night full of debauchery and excess, what we got was not at all what I expected. Due to some outside circumstances several groups canceled their plans leaving us with a tight, core group of around 10 members to share wine around the table. One thing lead to another and a slew of great wines came out to see Dave off to Boise. One of the best nights I have had at Graileys, thanks guys…
1990 Domaine Burgaud Cote Rotie – This was the best bottle out of the three times I have previously tried the wine. The classic Cote Rotie marks were all over the nose with smoke, black fruit, and tanned leather. The palate was soft and very drinkable.
1995 Cheval Blanc – What can I say, I love Cheval Blanc. The 95 was very interesting showing a big cinnamon and vanilla note that reminded me of my mother’s spiced tea… The palate was very complex with ripe subtle earth notes, ripe fruit, and cooking spices orbiting around a ridged core of tannin. With another 5-10 years in the bottle this wine will be outstanding.
1979 Domaine Chevalier – We have tasted the 85 and 86 of this Chateau a plethora of times and I think for the money they were very good. This 79 was killer! With just the right amount of time the tannins have come out of their shell and softened to melt in your mouth with plush dark fruits and overwhelming pipe tobacco.
1986 La Mission Haut Brion – This bottle is a treat every time we get to try it. Classic Bordeaux with old earth notes covered by dry fruits and a long finish. Most of the 86’s we have been drinking have been very tight but every once in a while you find one like this that is superb right now.
2007 Thibault Liger Belair Corton Les Roguets GC – Infanticide I know. This wine will grow up to be one of the greats; I am calling it right now. The problem is it is SO GOOD that I don’t know if anyone can keep their hands off long enough for it to mature. The nose is soft with overripe Bing cherry and cola. The palate boasts a crisp minerality that makes my mouth water just thinking of it… A great bottle of wine.
1997 Tornesi Brunello di Montalcino – This is a fun bottle of wine. Simon sold it to a good friend and client of ours back in the day and over the past three years a bottle or four have snuck their way onto the table when he comes to see us. The wine shows dusty cherry with a cool breeze of earth and minerality.
2001 Potel Clos de Vougeot GC – This wine attacked the nose out of the gate with a zingy smoked cherry and surprising meaty characteristic. The palate was wonderful and full of life, we finished this bottle much quicker than I would have liked because I am sure it would have opened up much more, but it was just so good!
1998 Dujac Charmes Chambertin GC – Who wants to get Dujacked?!?! This was a very interesting bottle, opened at the end of the night it stared out with great promise showing bright red cherries and subtle earth on the nose. Then the wine went into hibernation giving off nothing on the nose or palate. Two hours later (by 2am) the wine emerged from its cocoon radiating brilliant notes of black cherry, dried leaves, tilled earth, and subtle hints of fine cigar smoke and spice. I am only sorry that the rest of the group did not get the opportunity to taste this wine as it was one of the best bottles I have had in some time… The much sought after but seldom found White Dragon… Good thing I got some more in the back 