Originally posted 6/19/02
Got together with a bunch of co-workers last night to fete an employee that will be re-locating to the West Coast.
Many wines were opened. Below are some of the highlights.
Brad
NV Renardat-Fche- Cerdon du Bugey
I was delighted to see the looks of pleasure this wine elicited on many of my jaded co-workers faces. Who knew that sparkling Gamay mixed with a splash of Pulsard could be so good? If you havent tried this wine yet, well thats good for those of us that love it, but is your loss as this is the perfect summer sipper. Its entry has a touch of sweetness to it, but it finishes dry and with a snappy acidic kick. Focused and clean with lip smacking strawberry, cranberry and cherry fruit with a nice mineral streak. Weighs in at a modest 7.5% alcohol. A-/B+.
1985 Met et Chandon- Dom Perignon, Champagne
Im usually not much of a fan of Champagne, but this was quite enjoyable. Yeasty with baked apple flavors and aromas, its harmonious in the mouth with a soft mousse and a lingering, toasty finish. A-.
1987 Cain Vineyard- Five, Napa Valley (from magnum)
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Still a youthful color. Deep, complex nose thats packed with Bordeaux-like aromatics of herb, earth, sweet black and red fruit and a touch of espresso. Theres still plenty of structure here and in fact, the tannins become a bit chunky on the finish. Theres great depth to this wine and its taken on that aged sweet fruit character. Like flavors as aromas with the addition of aged tobacco and spicy wood notes. Drinks well from magnum now, though if stored well it can still handle more time. A-.
1986 Caymus Vineyards- Cabernet Sauvignon, Special Selections, Napa Valley
This was more evolved than the 87 Cain Five as would be expected, though just as good. Fully integrated and softened, with elegant red cherry flavors, earth and spicy, cedary oak. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this wine as I had tried it a few years ago from an Imperial and was not so impressed by it. This bottle had a an elegance and depth to it that I didnt find previously. Drink up. A-.
1998 Vieux Tlgraphe- Chteauneuf-du-Pape
If you havent put a Do Not Disturb sign on your stash of this wine, do so because this baby has completely closed up shop. I left some in my glass for over two hours and it still barely budged. Shows big-time structure and gives hints as to its core of fruit and spice, but this is clearly a wine to enjoy starting at the end of this decade. A-.
1999 Baumard- Quarts de Chaume
Showed just as it did when I tried it in October. Its fatter and riper than the 98 and shows a little less acidity, but is still balanced. Poached pear, pineapple, mineral and honey aromas and flavors. Not a blockbuster, but at around $35-$40, worth grabbing a couple to sock away. A-.
Got together with a bunch of co-workers last night to fete an employee that will be re-locating to the West Coast.
Many wines were opened. Below are some of the highlights.
Brad
NV Renardat-Fche- Cerdon du Bugey
I was delighted to see the looks of pleasure this wine elicited on many of my jaded co-workers faces. Who knew that sparkling Gamay mixed with a splash of Pulsard could be so good? If you havent tried this wine yet, well thats good for those of us that love it, but is your loss as this is the perfect summer sipper. Its entry has a touch of sweetness to it, but it finishes dry and with a snappy acidic kick. Focused and clean with lip smacking strawberry, cranberry and cherry fruit with a nice mineral streak. Weighs in at a modest 7.5% alcohol. A-/B+.
1985 Met et Chandon- Dom Perignon, Champagne
Im usually not much of a fan of Champagne, but this was quite enjoyable. Yeasty with baked apple flavors and aromas, its harmonious in the mouth with a soft mousse and a lingering, toasty finish. A-.
1987 Cain Vineyard- Five, Napa Valley (from magnum)
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Still a youthful color. Deep, complex nose thats packed with Bordeaux-like aromatics of herb, earth, sweet black and red fruit and a touch of espresso. Theres still plenty of structure here and in fact, the tannins become a bit chunky on the finish. Theres great depth to this wine and its taken on that aged sweet fruit character. Like flavors as aromas with the addition of aged tobacco and spicy wood notes. Drinks well from magnum now, though if stored well it can still handle more time. A-.
1986 Caymus Vineyards- Cabernet Sauvignon, Special Selections, Napa Valley
This was more evolved than the 87 Cain Five as would be expected, though just as good. Fully integrated and softened, with elegant red cherry flavors, earth and spicy, cedary oak. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this wine as I had tried it a few years ago from an Imperial and was not so impressed by it. This bottle had a an elegance and depth to it that I didnt find previously. Drink up. A-.
1998 Vieux Tlgraphe- Chteauneuf-du-Pape
If you havent put a Do Not Disturb sign on your stash of this wine, do so because this baby has completely closed up shop. I left some in my glass for over two hours and it still barely budged. Shows big-time structure and gives hints as to its core of fruit and spice, but this is clearly a wine to enjoy starting at the end of this decade. A-.
1999 Baumard- Quarts de Chaume
Showed just as it did when I tried it in October. Its fatter and riper than the 98 and shows a little less acidity, but is still balanced. Poached pear, pineapple, mineral and honey aromas and flavors. Not a blockbuster, but at around $35-$40, worth grabbing a couple to sock away. A-.