By: AJ McClellan
An easy going day of catching up from our snow days ended when one of my favorite members dropped in yesterday. Naturally we had to celebrate by popping a bottle of Cristal and, of course, a few other bottles…
2004 Cristal – This bottle of Cristal was surprisingly delicious. Crème Burlee, banana Fosters, glazed pears, and a slight yeast note was on the nose. The palate showed green apples and lemon zest. Very crisp with a lingering finish made this wine a pleasure to drink.
1989 La Conseillante – The nose of this wine was explosive with big funk, dark earth, plums, black cherries, and spicebox. The palate was very smooth and easy drinking, a little light on the mid-palate, but very nice overall. Velvety with notes of clove, lavender, cigar, star anise, cinnamon raisin bagel, and a great funky overtone of moist earth and fresh mud.
1995 Cheval Blanc – The Cheval Blanc was slightly muted on the nose. After some time you could pick out fresh red currants and rose petals. Very full on the palate with blooming flowers, sweet tobacco, notes of old leather, and plush red fruits. A subtle note of sweet red currant lingers on the back end of a long finish. The texture of the wine was very smooth with no rough edges and what it lacked for on the nose it made up for on the luscious mouth feel.