By: AJ McClellan
We had a great tasting in preparation of the upcoming Thanksgiving Day feast. Of course we concentrated mainly around Pinot, a great turkey wine, but in true Graileys fashion we found some other great substitutes to have with your Thanksgiving day dinner…
2001 Vincent Giradin Batard Montrachet – Oxidative character on the nose showing big caramel and honeyed pears. The palate was expansive with big almonds, vanilla extract, and those caramelized nuts you buy at the fair…
2007 Morgan Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot Noir – A very nice Pinot Noir. Soft on the palate and showing a crisp acidity that made it want food. Cranberries, cherries, and raspberries coupled with a nice spice background.
2006 Abiouness Pommard Clone Pinot Noir – Powerful with massive fruit. There was a nice backing of minerality and spice. Big all the way around with a complex palate and balanced finish.
2007 Faivley Mercery Clos de Myglands – Great little Pinot for the money. Prevalent earthy aromas backed by a light layer of crisp red fruits. There is a great structure to the wine and potential to age for 3-6 years.
2006 Perrot Minot Morey st Denis 1er La Riotte – Upon opening this bottle it spilled toasted black fruits and earth all over the room. Huge dark walnut and black fruits backed by soft rich earthy aromas on the nose. The palate has a pleasant toast to it with cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, and black tea. Great bottle of wine!
2006 Perrot Minot La Rue de Vergey – This wine was not quite up to snuff with the La Riotte but it gave a good run for its money. Softer and not as complex, but a little lighter on its feet and showing more red fruit than black.
1996 Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Beze – Fantastic bottle of wine! The nose showed toasted aromas with burnt raspberries, slate, limestone, melted milk chocolate, fantastic earthy notes of moist earth, with rustic leaves, and a touch of exotic spices. The palate was as complex as the nose showing star anise, dusty cherry, forest floor, and a nice mellow toast. Terrific balance with a million subtle complexities leading to a long lasting finish.
1970 BV George de Latour – Iron notes with old dry fruit. This wine is a little past its prime showing old rubber tires, cedar, and loads of cooking spice. Classic old Cali Cab.
2009 Kongsgaard White Blend – Fruit loops all day with pears, green apples, and a touch of lemon grass on the nose. A very interesting with that has great potential to pear with foods. This reminds me of a great Condrieu although it was described by another member as “Stripper glitter”…
2003 Pavie – This wine was a monster in the glass. Huge extracted tannins and giant fruit. This wine might turn into one of the greats in 15-20 years but right now it is almost undrinkable.
1990 Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle Alexandra Rose – Brilliant glass of bubbles! Creamsicle, strawberry shortcake, and orange blossoms swirl from the glass. While retaining and unbelievable elegance the wine showed great, depth and complex. Notes of yeast on the palate with strawberries and crème, summer flowers on a sunny day, and loads of orange. The was amazingly light on its feet with a finesseful finish that was an absolute treat to drink.
1982 La Dominique – Huge Earth with plenty of funk on the nose. This was a great bottle of Bordeaux! Classic Bordeaux with hay, barnyard, dry blackberries, and plums on the palate. Crushed boulder minerality on the palate with a big coffee backing. This bottle is excellent now but still has great aging potential.
1997 Paolo Scavino Cannubi Barolo – Blueberry bubblegum with tobacco on the nose. Very unique with a huge tannin structure but light body. Heavy handed on the oak with hard tannins. Needs 10 more years.