Not sure about you, but for me, this year flew by in a flash! My first year at Graileys has been one hell of an oeno-dream with eye-opening wine experiences of mind-boggling, bucket-list kicking, unicorn finding, palate-growing wines; but most importantly, this year has introduced me to the amazing persons whom we have shared these beautiful wine moments with and the perpetual knowledge, camaraderie and friendships that have grown from a glass of wine, no matter what liquid is ever inside the glass.
Looking back over the year, from all of the amazing tastings, events and those cherished quiet, one table nights, we have gone through astonishing bottles of wine. I am taking the last day of 2015 at Graileys as a day to reflect on the passion that drives us and brings us all together: wine, of course.
Mind-Boggler of the Year: 1959 Clovis Lefevre Vouvray. Never in my sommelier life would I think a 56 year old Vouvray could deliver such intricate flavors, depth, texture and one of the deepest finishes a wine could ever hold. This bottle expresses the longevity and power of Chenin Blanc and the beauty it can bring with pristine aging conditions.
Game-Changer Bottle (for me): 1994 Colgin Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon. This is what a great, no, exceptional, California Cabernet is. Broad and expansive flavors with the perfect balance of sweet fruit, earth and spice; great depth, smooth out tannins and a haunting finish. Before coming to Graileys, I had a sommelier’s infamous Cali-hater umbrella over almost all things Cali. But Colgin opened a door to a whole wine world that was always there, but always overlooked.
Best Bordeaux: This is so hard….. Between all of the amazing Growth Bordeaux and the rare Right Bank wonders, how is a somm to chose?! So I am picking my Top Ten Bordeaux of Graileys 2015:
- 1983 Ausone
- 1970 Cheval Blanc
- 1986 Cheval Blanc
- 1982 Pavie
- 1989 Petrus
- 1986 Haut Brion
- 1982 Pichon Lalande
- 1966 Haut Brion
- 1990 Haut Brion
- 2000 Pichon Lalande
Unicorn of 2015- 2002 Haut Brion Blanc- [mic drop]
Champagne Campaign of 2015
- 1976 Dom Perignon Oenotheque
- 1989 Krug Collection Brut (from Magnum)
- 1988 Dom Perignon P3 Rose (from Magnum)
- 1995 Dom Perignon P2 Rose
- 1982 Dom Perignon
Burgundy Top Charts
- 2004 Leroy Chambolle Musigny
- 1996 Leroy Gevrey Chambertin Les Combettes
- 2009 Domaine d’Auvenay Meursault Les Narvaux
- 1979 La Pousse d’Or Volnay Les Caillerets Clos des 60 Ouvrees
- 2012 Domaine Roulot Meursault Clos des Boucheres
- 1989 Comtes Lafon Meursault Clos de la Barre
- 1996 Emmanuel Rouget Vosne Romanee Les Beaumonts
- 1978 Remoissenet Vosne Romanee Les Beaumonts
- 1986 Mongeard Mugneret Echezeaux
- 1997 Domaine d’Auvenay Meursault Pre de Manche
What the What?! Of 2015
- 2008 Bionic Frog Syrah (WA)
- 1991 Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Gris (OR)
- 1989 Clos St. Hune Vendages Tardives Hors Choix
- 2010 SQN Five Shooter (From Magnum)
- 2007 Henri Bonneau Reserve des Celestins Chateauneuf du Pape
- 2013 Von Winning Forster Grosses Gewachs Riesling Pechstein
- 1978 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Resolutions for 2016
- No More Hipster Hating- I am no hipster, but this is my resolution to be more open to the big guys. They are big guys for a reason and that reason is because they know what they are doing, they have been doing it for a long while, they have the money for innovation and they flat out taste good.
- Air It Out- Old or young, White, Red, Rose, Orange and yes, Champagne!! I’ve experienced bottles that have pseudo-flawed nose and is closed down with no signs of return, but with some air and time, the wines (not always) have come back to life to deliver its flavors at its prime, even if it was just for a short time. Air out your young GG’s, white burgs, young bubbles, funky orange wines and of course your reds too.
- More Wine Pairing- More wine to food, food to wine; wine to people; wine to music; wine to events; wine to days of the biodynamic calendar.
It has been a spectacular year of wine at Graileys and we cannot thank you enough! I look forward to what 2016 has to bring!!
Happy New Year!