At home with cousins

Three of my cousins were in town and we shared a couple bottles of wine.

• 1970 Château Haut-Brion 87 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  I guess my luck with “only great bottles” ran out as my last bottle was not as good as my first from the batch and this is not even as good as the second bottle. This seems to suffer from the same faith as some of the 70 Bordeauxs that I had in the past; bottle variation and not TCA from the cork but mustiness that masks the fruit. Damp, wet, a hint of cedar, plum, tobacco and ash. The palate is refine and silky but the mustiness remains. Still drinkable but definitely could be better. This could be an excellent wine and if you are buying from auction, I would recommend magnum format.

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

• 2009 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Pop and pour at 53F and warmed up, this has come together nicely since the last bottle drank in April. Still very ripe jammy blue fruits, crème des cassis, blackberry liquor, espresso, bitter chocolate, a hint of metal/mineral and vanilla. Not as concentrated as the 07 but silky, intense and sweet palate, also very sweet and opulent fruit impression and nicely integrated tannins. The alcohol is not noticeable. Very ripe, jammy and opulent style of cal cab that is drinking nicely, a crowd pleaser.

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

A great time was had by all!