Just dropped in
Follows are my notes/list from both Friday PM and Sat. The latter, along with much else, featured a Napa "Big Boy" 2005 horizontal. Upon its conclusion I staggered over to the bounty of Bordeaux that was being opened. It may already be obvious to many on this board, but my take away was aged Bordeaux beats Napa Meritage "going away," as the horseplayers say. Much greater clarity, definition, complexity on the whole. This is not to dismiss Napa, though admittedly it may seem like that, but rather to suggest that their single varietal offerings, Cab especially, but also Merlot, may be the way to go, IMHO.
Fri PM
Vilmart champers; lovely
98 Ogier Cote-Rotie—way too bretty and acid, over the top; off bottle?
99 Levet Cote Rotie—lovely, light balanced wine, full of finesse, violets, Burgundian, beautiful
96? Chapoutier Hermitage—a little bretty, but then iron, blood, minerality, fascinating wine
2003 Dehlinger—nice nose, red fruits, but for me a little too smooth--almost shellacked surface.
2007 Rhys Horseshoe Ranch Pinot (mine)
Still too young—dark, brooding; at first surprisingly Cali-ish, Santa Maria dark frui;, but pedigree shows after a while, greater complexity, much promise
2008 Williams-Seleym Westside(?), nice full bodied, well-rounded, pretty
1995 Hagelin-Jayer Clos Vougeot: still too young—dusty, roses, red fruit not especially pronounced—acid is there,
Sat
Napa Big Boys (plus first)
CASA LAPOSTOLLE CLOS APALTA COLCHAGUA VALLEY 2005 (mine) Drinking really well, classic bordeaux, complex, long finish, not wildly distinguished, but very correct
Mondavi Reserve 2005 (Strawberry, lighter in style, still too young)
Spottswoode Estate 2005 Dusty (in a stylish way), berries, complex finish, classy—good but not mind blowing.
Lail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, J. Daniel Cuvée 2005, I thought this was a little off, then opens up--seemed somehow different from the others. Some loved, others had doubt.
Foley Claret 2005 Slight VA on the nose, blows off, substantial, complex, thick, yet Bordeaux-ish--well made wine
Opus One 2005 Still a baby; teeth coating tannins, long long finish. If it comes around, it may be special, but not clear to me it will.
Insignia 2005 (mine) Finish goes on and on, all Bordeaux notes are there, amped up; tannins still quite detectable, with the ribs (served w/rub) remarkable, needed to be balanced
Sullivan 2005 More merlot, olives in the glass surprisingly.
Merus 2005 Huge wine, at first approaching port (15.6% alc); settles down in glass, still rich but more complexity shows. (Something Rossini would have liked with his Tournedos?)
Bordeaux
69 Lagune (tired)
82 **Gruaud Larose—beautiful right now, singing; classic older bordeaux notes, but then some iron, minerality, soars toward the finish, beautiful, balanced wine, I could drink all day.
82**Leoville Les Cases other WOTN; not the depth of the Gruaud, but so pretty, balanced, in a perfect place right now, bright and lively, tannins integrated, but definitely could age
82 Leoville Barton, some thought corked, if so, not greatly, just a bruiser (a little bretty), still needs time but lots of promise
82 Camensac did not show well in this company
86 Lynch-Bages still too young, tannic—plenty of promise
95 Comtesse de la Lalande; maybe a little closed down; not tannic, but was not yet showing a lot, other than its trademark elegance. Did not get up and dance on two feet like some of the previous wines.
98 Grand-Puy-Lacoste, this wine will never drink better than right now; balanced, forthright Paulliac, very tasty. First one tasted after Cali’s and I have to say I preferred it to all of them for its clarity and definition.
Others
1992 Ridge, starting to open, great depth; in this company seemed a little too Cali?
1999 and 1991 Dominus, both slightly sketchy bottles?
1983 Reiussec; I thought drank better than the Coutet, which had something funky in the finish. Just beautiful wine, drinking perfectly.