By: AJ McClellan
The magical thing about Graileys is the atmosphere and camaraderie when we have a good room full of members. Yesterday was one such day. We were full to the brim with members but everyone was opening stunning bottles of wine and sharing them around the room.
I was especially taken with the 1996 Domaine Leflaive Bienvenues Batard Montrachet which was drinking like a dream! Soft lemon and lime notes with brilliant crisp minerality and a long finish of citrus fruit with quince and honeysuckle. We also opened the 2006 Sine Qua Non Shot in the Dark which was a real treat! The SQN was rich and full of black jammy fruit, tobacco leaf, and cooking spice.
Another excellent duo of wines was the 1989 Pichon Lalande and 1989 Leoville Las Cases. These Bordeaux’s were singing! Each was full of damp earthy notes and modest red fruit. The Pichon was a little more up front but the Las Cases had a delicate mineral note that was divine.
Other wines of the night…
2001 Earl Daniel Bocquenet Echezeaux, 2003 Marcassin Three Sisters Pinot Noir, 2000 Leoville Barton, 1991 d’Yquem Magnum, 2005 The Grade, 2006 The Grade, 2007 The Grade, 2008 The Grade, 2009 The Grade, 2010 The Grade, 1999 Giacosa Barolo Le Roche del Falletto di Seralunga d’Alba, 2012 Arista Sonoma, 2006 Pierre Morey Meursault Perrieres, 2005 Realm Beckstoffer Dr Crane, 1999 Chateau Hosanna, 1997 Chateau Grand Mayne, 2012 Bevan Ontogeny, NV Rare Wine Company le Mesnil Blanc de Blanc, 2010 Round Pond, 2012 George Noellat Vosne Romanee, 2010 Favia Cerro Sur, 2010 The Paring, 2009 Buccella, 2011 Penfolds 389, 1997 Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino