2002 Stony Hill, Chardonnay:
Not many producers can have a 50th anniversary wine but this one can; clean, crisp very Chablis-like in structure but clearly CA fruit; a charming wine with a very long cellar life. About 13% alcohol and about $30 retail; I’d pay that again.
1999 Drouhin, Clos de Vougeot:
Well some of the premier cru wines of this vintage may drink well but this was closed-up tight; after several hours in the decanter it was better but it never showed more than making it clear it was Burgundy. Price unknown.
1967 Chateau Margaux:
One for the life list; from a vintage maligned comes the most extraordinary Bordeaux I have ever tasted; rich, powerful, expansive bottle bouquet with immense complexity entices; in the mouth the wine is full, deep, has grip, layer after layer of nuance, perfect balance and sumptuous texture that has both a worsted feel and a satin feel; endless length. Over the course of several hours it continued to change and grow, never losing its complexity but re-emphasizing different elements in the nose and palate; and, after more than four hours in a decanter and our glasses it showed no signs of falling off. 39 and counting. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you win the lottery.
Many thanks, Mark.
Best, Jim