Friends and vino at Applewood.

Dinner with Izzy, Suzanne, Jeff and Michel at Applewood. Only a few notes taken.

• 1990 Domaine du Closel-Château des Vaults Savennières Cuvée Spéciale

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières

  Whoa Nelly! This is showing like gangbusters! Fully open, flamboyant and lively with loads of quince, sweet yellow citrus, Bartlett pears, mineral, nuts and honey flavors and aromas. Mouth filling and persistent across the palate. There's some nice minerality here, though the wine is absolutely fruit driven. The wine really is as open and showy as Pamela Anderson in her peak years, but it shows better class and balance. Perhaps Sophia Loren? Really super stuff and I've never had a '90 that showed this well. Solid A.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1971 Château Léoville Barton

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Shows quite an odd nose that's dominated by a dirt smell, though not in a pleasant way, with cherry, sweet spices and a pine note. On the palate, lean and mean with that dirt character dominating. Big hole in the middle and quite shrill. Not for me. D+/C-.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1983 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Here's a bit of a blast from the past. When I was just getting into wine in the early/mid-'90's, top wines for me were wines such as the Mondavi and Beringer Private Reserves. It's been a while since I've had a Beringer PR, let alone one with some age on it and it didn't disappoint. It was like settling into a well-worn, comfortable leather couch with its sweet, softened and slightly faded character. There's cherry, cedar, leather, spice, herb and licorice showing nicely and fully integrated with a touch of grey. Drink up and enjoy. A-/B+.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1971 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru

  Thanks to a closeout sale on this stuff that I bought heavily into and got a bunch of friends to join in on me, I've probably had this wine at least 14 times in the last two years and five times so far this year. It typically shows in the Solid B+ to Solid A- range depending on the bottle and this showing was a good one. Its sweetness is not what it was, though there's still enough to go around. This bottle shows quite a bit of marzipan with a hit of quince, mineral and shoe polish. It's also showing a tad younger and tighter than some recent bottles, though it's time to start drinking these up as I don't see any improvement potential. No real rush, though. A-.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1989 Domaine des Petits Quarts (Godineau) Bonnezeaux Le Malabé

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Bonnezeaux

  Suzanne Camhi brought this along to dinner for dessert knowing my love of Chenin and this producer and we paired it with the '71 Baumard QDC. Thank you Suzanne! It's a bit simpler and more obvious than the Baumard, but equally as good and with quite a different character. It's thicker and sweeter with a profile more of apricot, marmalade and butterscotch and finishes with a delicious cream and marzipan note. Lower acid than the QDC, but there's enough there to contain the sugar. Lovely. A-.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No