By: AJ McClellan
Thursday we had our Member’s Appreciation Party. The party was a great success as we managed to polish off around forty bottles as well as four Jeroboams…. As far as parties go, this was one was one of the best for Graileys…
1970 Pichon Lalande – This was a wonderful bottle of wine. I am a big fan of Pichon Lalande and the 1970 vintage is showing very well right now. The wine has a soft earthy foundation on which there are layers of dried red and black fruits, tobacco leaf, dried red flowers, and a distinct minerality of crushed granite. This wine is in an excellent drinking window right now with velvety tannins and a supreme balance that leads to a lengthy finish.
1978 Robert Mondavi Jeroboam – When I opened this bottle I was afraid that because of the age of the wine it would fall off before we could drink through the Jeroboam, but the wine stuck in there until the end showing great fruit notes of dried cranberries and blackberries followed by soft leather notes and a waft of cigar smoke. The palate was delicate for a Cabernet but I attribute that to the bottle age… all in all, a great bottle of wine.
1998 Guigal La Mouline – A classic Guigal with big bacon, smoke, tar, pepper, and tobacco. A great bottle of wine but I would love to see it with another two decades of age on it…
1999 Remoissenet Richebourg – The Richebourg was drinking great right out of the bottle. Soft red cherries with an accent of boysenberry and black currant followed by a soft mineral note of limestone. The palate was very nice but after a few hours in the glass the wine developed a metallic tinge that faded in and out of the wine for the rest of the night.
1985 Bollinger RD – Yummm… Quince, honeyed pear, toffee, sourdough, and caramel. This wine was drinking very well but I think that it is in need of consumption.
1996 Krug Magnum – This was my wine of the night. A delectable bottle that changed every time I stuck my nose in the glass…. The wine started with notes of white peach and quince backed by a huge limestone minerality and a touch of lilies. With more time the bottle started to add roasted almonds, fresh pear, yeast, and a hint of caramel. The wine was perfectly balanced and lovely to taste. If I could drink this wine for the rest of my life I would die a happy man…
1990 Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne – We have tasted this wine on several occasions but this particular bottle went far above the expectations set from its predecessors. Every once in a while when dealing with Burgundy you get a bottle that really shines, and this is that bottle. Caramel, white flowers, honeydew, sliced white peaches, crushed limestone, and a good dose of toast. A brilliant bottle that makes me want to buy several more cases in hopes that I will find one more like it…
2008 Amuse Bouche – Heidi really outdid herself on this wine. The nose was black as midnight with plums, black cherries, chocolate, clove, and vanilla. The palate was like taking of sip of melted dark chocolate. I thought this bottle was delicious and I think it will age very well for the next 5-10 years.
2000 Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin – Classic CDP. Barnyard funk on the nose with bright red cherries and a touch of nutmeg and vanilla. The palate was firm with heavy tannins and slightly closed notes of fresh red fruit. However, the gym sock funk was in full force and made me check my armpit to make sure that it wasn’t just me.
1982 Ducru Beaucaillou – This bottle was scrumptious… Classic Bordeaux. The nose showed forest floor and fresh foliage with a subtle hint of black liquorish and pepper backed by black fruits and spice box. The palate is in a good place right now with soft tannins and superb balance.