Graileys going up… on Tuesday… Popping HB and Lafite on a Tuesday…
All rapping aside, we had a phenomenal evening at Graileys with our dearest members opening not only the old and rare, but also the new and exciting wines from regions that are typically overlooked by most. First to be of note, the 1989 Domaine du Pegau Cuvee Reserve Chateauneuf du Pape was the bottle which started the night and was a spectacular wine to savor indeed. Wild layers just flew all over the palate with preserved raspberry, stewed strawberry and intriguing layers of blood orange zest mixed with leather, dried blood and preserved meat. Dried bay leaves and wild herbs, eucalyptus with espresso roast, crushed black pepper, black licorice, dried star anise. The palate was silky in texture with an encompassing mid-palate leading into an incredibly lengthy finish as the wine continued to expand and deliver multidimensional flavors with subtle hints of dark cocoa at the end.
Going into Bordeaux, a trio of First Growths sailed by the Graileys tables complimentary of Purple Jacket Bill with a 1981 Haut Brion, 1986 Haut Brion and 1978 Lafite in Magnum. The ’78 Lafite Mag was the wine of the night with a precision of quality in fruit, structure, minerals and length. The ’81 Haut Brion was very soft and elegant with lighter tones of dried red and black cherry, soft leather and dust while the ’86 HB had more black fruit to give with louder flavors of roasted minerals, dried spice and charred herbs with a more garrigue-like, profound and concentrated delivery.
We also enjoyed a few outstanding bottles of wine not often seen in the Graileys walls, nor that much in the state of Texas. From the most revered cru of Beaujolais, oh-no… you stopped reading didn’t you… seriously please continue, the 2014 Jean Foillard Morgon Cuvee Corcelette is a Cru Beaujolais that will blow your mind! This ‘little’ Beaujolais was on the table with the big boys and we couldn’t stop talking about it all night! Made by one of the best members of the “Gang of Four”- a group of quality and terroir driven producers from the Morgon Cru in Beaujolais, this cru Beaujolais screams awesome with candied cherry and sweet strawberry tones with hints of lemon, ripe herbs, crushed gravel and chalk all tied together by a one of a kind purity, velvety texture and lengthy finish- a true baby Bourgogne rouge that drinks like a champ! I bet this will age beautifully too. We were only allocated 1 case and I had to practically beg for more! We have a few bottles left… grab them while you can!
My favorite Spanish producer, the 2000 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Rosado was absolutely compelling! Talk about savory goodness! Signature marks of rancio and oak kept us intrigued the whole night. The texture was silky yet coating, waxy, near dense in mouthfeel. Dried raspberry, seared sweet vidalias, cheese rind, red tea, rose and a touch of sour cream all took over the palate seamlessly. The finish was beautifully lengthy bringing back the somewhat salty notes of sharp cheese, raw nuts and dried red fruit.
2012 Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon- For those who know me, you already know that VHR is my latest Napa Cabernet jam! This is not your typical slutty, flashy Napa Cabernet that goes down easy. VHR has broad shoulders, deeper flavors and darker minerals that take over the palate like a boss. Pretty much anyone can make a good 2012 Napa Cabernet, but this is a product of an exceptional winemaker from an outstanding western Oakville plot hidden between our other favorites Futo, Harlan and Bond.
Other Great Bottles of the Night
2010 Les Pagodes de Cos
1992 Dalla Valle Cabernet
1988 Domaine Lionnet Cornas
1997 Brenot Ph Batard Montrachet (oxidized)
2005 Hermitage Blanc
1966 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
1999 Fleur de Pingus
1992 Dom Perignon
2000 Penfolds RWT
2006 Camille Giraud Chambertin
2007 Rudius Cabernet Sauvignon
2010 Kumeu River Chardonnay
2010 Ardhuy Corton Charlemagne Vigne Dieux