WTN: Gassac, Figeac, Caymus, Branaire, Jamet

[Bill Spohn]

Notes from a wine lunch:

1991 Mas Daumas Gassac – dark wine with browning edges, and a raisiny ripe nose. Still shows some tannin and lots of acidity, and decent length. Now heading into decline, IMHO.

1978 Ch. Figeac – I initially discounted the possibility that this might be a 78 as it was too good! I figured possibly an 82. Classic cedar claret nose, with some plumy sweet fruit, a middle weight supple wine with some green hints and medium length. This has no business being that good – I’d had bottles 10 years ago that weren’t anywhere near as nice. In decline, but going gracefully.

1994 Caymus Cabernet (regular bottling) – ripe sweet fruit with some coconut in this nose, smooth entry, medium weight, some decent midpalate fruit and a nice long sweet finish. Pleasant but not profound.

1994 Ch. Branaire – I tasted this on release and promptly consigned it to storage for another period of years due to the tannins, but it has now softened and has a mellow fruit nose tasty with good acid and still significant tannins. It si now in balance and should be drunk.

2001 Ch. Clarke – a pleasant Listrac of no particular virtue that doesn’t get in the way of the conversation and should be drunk up.

2006 Jamet Cote Rotie – the edges were starting to fade a little, and the warm nose of black pepper lacked much floral content, but it was intense on palate, and tasty, and had a long warm finish. Good showing and it will continue to drink well for some years.

1994 Beringer Knight’s Valley Cabernet – I had this a couple of days later, but I’m posting it here as not out of place with mature company. I’d come across a half case in the cellar and decided I’d better start in on it. It is still rather dark, with a slightly smoky fruit nose, and now soft in the mouth with sweet fruit, the tannins resolved. Pleasant wine for drinking now.

[Jenise]

Had that Caymus awhile back in a vertical that was 90-96, I believe. The 94 was, not all that surprisingly considering the big, warm vintage that it was, almost tropical in its sweetness, which you essentially note too. More power, where the others in the lineup were more about elegance. The '91 was my favorite. Interesting note on the Figeac.

[Rahsaan]

I'm curious about the comment that the 06 Jamet was starting to fade. That seems early, doesn't it? Or am I misinterpreting your note.

[Bill Spohn]

I'm curious about the comment that the 06 Jamet was starting to fade. That seems early, doesn't it? Or am I misinterpreting your note.

Not sure what you mean - it isn't unusual to get some colour change with a bit of age.

[Rahsaan]

I'm curious about the comment that the 06 Jamet was starting to fade. That seems early, doesn't it? Or am I misinterpreting your note.

Not sure what you mean - it isn't unusual to get some colour change with a bit of age.

Oh, is that all you meant. I thought you meant fade as in the wine was dying, which is not what I would have expected. (And I don't have any 06 Jamet but I have some 06 Jasmin and hadn't really planned to drink any in the near future, so was wondering)

[Mike Conner]

Thanks for the update on the '94 Knights Valley. Discovered I have one left from a few I snitched from my dad.... time to get after it!