Last night we showcased a stunning lineup from Bordeaux’s powerhouse Second Growth estate from St. Julien: Leoville Poyferre and what a spectacular showing! We offered four dynamic vintages: 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2010. From the lineup the most coveted was the 2000 vintage. This was St. Julien at its finest- it showed elegance and silky finesse with seamless dimensions each loaded with gorgeous flavors of the rich, ripe and savory.
2003- Dark, nearly brooding in power, aromatics of concentrated blackberry, blackcurrant and crème de cassis exploded from the glass while the palate offered an impressive balance with crushed gravel, dried herbs, espresso and rich spice.
2006- A little closed at this stage, but nonetheless a solid showing of fresh leather, saddle wood and mocha. Black currants, eucalyptus and dried herbs flashed about in staggering waves. With a few more years of evolution in the bottle, this will wake up into a prime Bordeaux.
2010- This baby needs more time but you can most definitely tell that the wine is an absolute star! Rich and wild with intense dark fruit and equally compelling mineral notes which took over the palate while dense layers of violets, dark cocoa nibs, leather and earth complimented the rich fruit.
We also poured the 2013 Almaviva Estate Red and Mamma mia Almaviva! We don’t always drink Chilean wine, but when we do… we Almaviva! Plush violets and juicy cassis explodes from the glass in thick layers of velvety goodness. Chile’s signature notes of tart herbs and red fruit were present but not dominating. The plush textures, ripe fruit and power will seduce just about any palate who loves new world reds.
In true Graileys style, more mindboggling bottles filled the tables- some of the stunners of the night were the 1975 Mouton Rothschild, the 1996 Cos d’Estournel, 1988 Leoville Las Cases and the 1994 Dalla Valle Cabernet. The ’75 Mouton- elegant, soft red fruit, red tea and spice. The ’96 Cos- can’t go wrong with this wine, ever. ’88 Leoville Las Cases- At its perfect stage!! Gorgeous all around with the perfect amount of dried black fruit, warm spice, compost, espresso and dried red petals. ’94 Dalla Valle Cab- absolutely stunning and at a beautiful stage with soft fruit, round spice and a killer finish.
Other Great Bottles Opened
2012 Robert Foley Pinot Noir
2010 Jack Quinn Cabernet
2002 Joseph Roty Mazis Chambertin
2008 Colgin IX Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2011 Favia Cerro Sur in Magnum
1983 Dom Perignon
1995 Pichon Lalande
2000 L’Evangile in Magnum
1995 Freemark Sycamore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2013 Alvaro Palacios Les Terraces
2001 Phelps Insignia
1964 Nervi Gattanara
1989 La Conseillante
2009 Arnaud Ente Clos des Ambres