By: AJ McClellan
A few of our members missed our appreciation day last Thursday; so in true Grailey’s spirit we decided to pop a few bottles which then turned into another great Grailey’s night…
1986 Guigal La Turque – The nose was magnificent with smoke, tar, big leather, and roasted herbs backed by black and white pepper with a hint of boiled cabbage. The palate was immense with a wonderful blend of sage, thyme, and lavender being sprinkled over a cooking pig as it is being smoked above an open camp fire. Massive smooth tannins prance down the catwalk of your palate showing off moist black earth, exotic herbs, black liquorish, and a feast of smoked meats. The acidity was crisp contributing to a stunning mouth feel and the finish goes for miles making the perfect encore to the sip you just enjoyed….
1994 Alois Lageder Lowengang Chardonnay – Pure Crème Brule on the nose with a very plush mouth feel. The palate showed caramelized burnt peaches and pears. Surprisingly complex on the mid-palate, with an orange blossom finish.
2008 Robert Foley Claret - Giant ripe currants, blackberries, and cherries with big tobacco and massive… well… fruit… The palate is a giant wall of tannins coated with a thin layer of velvet; behind the wall you get an explosion of fruit with tobacco and wood spice. Needs a year or two to settle down…
2006 Faiva La Magdalena – Bold on the nose with ripe fruits and subtle spice followed by drying flowers and cigar box. The palate was soft and supple with a great mouth feel.
1996 Dom Perignon – Another brilliant example of Dom Perignon. Pear cider with light apricot extract and some vanilla on the nose. Freshly rising bread with a dazzling acidity and succulent toasty notes. Wonderfully complex with a montage of fruits, very long finish. The wine is drinking a little young but some time in the bottle will fix that, say about 15-20 years…
1986 Pichon Lalande – Forest floor, sweet leaf tobacco, ground red currants, and black cherries on the nose. The palate showed cigar box with light cooking spices and a prominent cinnamon note. The wine was surprisingly tight, needing 3-5 more years in the bottle.