Is there ever a bad night at Graileys…?… Because Friday was not bad at all! It was a killer night focusing on great old Bordeaux and sexy California Cabernet. We opened Gaja’s Super Tuscan label: 2012 Ca’Marcanda Promis to share with our members. Opulent and exceptionally dense, this Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese blend from Bolgheri was very approachable with dark juicy black and red fruit, a touch of fresh herbs and mint, and an enticing texture that was incredibly supple. Truly a great value, everyday drinking wine; with its weight and concentration, this Italian wine was a bottle that was enjoyed by all.
Aside from our Super Tuscan bottle, it was back to the Graileys’ grind and boy do I love this “grind” with many bottles of old wonderfully complex, aged Bordeaux and bold and juicy California Cabernets. The standouts of the night were the 1990 Les Ormes de Pez- softened fruits and elevated dusty earth, dried herbs and tea welded together with dried red petals, old tobacco, spice, and cedar. The ’95 Pichon Baron showed exceptionally well this evening with its signature PB power and depth. I can’t not talk about the 1998 Mouton. It was only powerful and majestic with deeply concentrated black fruits, graphite and espresso with perfectly integrated layers of soft leather, cassis, and spice. Did I mention there were never-ending layers of dried herbs, cedar, and sweet fruit with silky tannins that lead to a supremely long finish…?
From this side of the great pond, we opened many bottles of big, juicy, attention grabbing California beauties. The 2011 Gargiulo G Major 7 never lets me down. Deep sweet black berries, licorice, sweet mocha and smoke all intertwined in a mouth-coating velvety texture. Gargiulo is one of my guilty pleasure Cabs I can’t resist. Speaking of guilty pleasures… the 2012 Pahlmeyer Merlot gets me every time! We have gone through at least a case of this merlot by now at Graileys and this can keep on coming. Super plump black and red cherries, sweet violets, cocoa, sweet vanilla and spice. Smooth, generous in flavors in that same mouth-coating velvety package- it’s just a rocking merlot that always delivers. 2012 Gandona Encosta Cabernet Sauvignon has been my new Cali Cab craze. From Pritchard Hill by Philippe Melka, you can’t go wrong with this bottle. Powerful, concentrated, yet incredibly balanced. Sweet violets and blackcurrants start off its lively aromatics with juicy currants, wild berries, and plums in the palate. Within all that sweet fruit and strength, there are notes of charcoal, cocoa, and herbs; but with this wine, I’m all about the juicy fruit it has to offer. I saved the biggest wine for last with the 2011 Tusk. Also by Philippe Melka, the Tusk is literally a sexy beast. Huge, monstrous, powerful, brooding; this gargantuan Cabernet can rest for decades to come and still come back with a powerful blow.
Friday Night Lineup
Doyard Cuvee Vendemiare Premier Cru
2002 Piper Heidsieck Rare
Krug Grande Cuvee 375ml
2009 Arnaud Ente Meursault Clos de Ambres
2012 Benoit Ente Bourgogne Chardonnay Golden Jubilee
2009 Kosta Browne Kanzler Vineyard Pinot Noir
2012 Ca’Marcanda Gaja Promis
1990 Les Ormes de Pez St Estephe
1995 Pichon Baron Pauillac
1998 Troplong Mondot St Emilion
1998 Mouton Rothschild
1995 Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
1999 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon
2011 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon
2011 Gargiulo Vineyards G Major 7
2011 Tusk Cabernet Sauvignon
2012 Pahlmeyer Merlot
2012 Gandona Encosta Cabernet Sauvignon