Really a great performance by this wine tonight, which kicked off our evening. A bit worrisome at first, as it was a touch cloudy and somwhat thin. But this wine soared. The fruit was sweet from the first sip, and got better over the hour. Simply intoxicating. Closest in style to the 52 Monfortinos I've had the past year, and in the running for best Monfortino I've had. Much better than a bottle last summer from the same parcel. Decanted only for a half hour, which was close to perfect.
Second wine tonight, the 90 Gaja Sperss. I used to love this wine, and this vintage, but the last few times I've had it, its been very good, but for some reason uninspiring. The fruit was great, the wine was in perfect shape, it was decanted for most of the afternoon. It was very good, but it didn't talk to me like it used to. Weird. Others thought it was great, so its clearly just me.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Our fourth bottle of this wine in the last few months. I really like this wine. For a 2001 to be performing at this level this early in life is really surprising. The fruit is stunning in its depth and complexity. Nose, great in the mouth, and a finish to remember. And at $99, a great value among todays prices. YES! BTW, this is a wine that "non burgundy drinkers" seem to love as well. I'm using it effectively in the campaign to move my wife from from her bordeaux fixation to the burgundy dark side.
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Ha. Quite a change of pace, but this arrived today via UPS, so we wanted to pop a bottle. I buy very little California wine these days, but when we had this at the vineyard last week, it really impressed. Full and vibrant as you'd expect, but there's a haunting depth to this lurking beneath the fresh fruit. A hit with, of all things, peanut butter ice cream. Everyone loved it. I think this will be a surprisingly good wine to cellar.
What a great way to end the night. Raisins, nuts, caramel, stink, history. Wow. Thank you to Rico for introducing us to old Madeiras over the last couple of years, and thanks for suggesting we buy this one.
1955 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino Speciale
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Really a great performance by this wine tonight, which kicked off our evening. A bit worrisome at first, as it was a touch cloudy and somwhat thin. But this wine soared. The fruit was sweet from the first sip, and got better over the hour. Simply intoxicating. Closest in style to the 52 Monfortinos I've had the past year, and in the running for best Monfortino I've had. Much better than a bottle last summer from the same parcel. Decanted only for a half hour, which was close to perfect.
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1990 Gaja Barolo Sperss
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Second wine tonight, the 90 Gaja Sperss. I used to love this wine, and this vintage, but the last few times I've had it, its been very good, but for some reason uninspiring. The fruit was great, the wine was in perfect shape, it was decanted for most of the afternoon. It was very good, but it didn't talk to me like it used to. Weird. Others thought it was great, so its clearly just me.
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2001 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Our fourth bottle of this wine in the last few months. I really like this wine. For a 2001 to be performing at this level this early in life is really surprising. The fruit is stunning in its depth and complexity. Nose, great in the mouth, and a finish to remember. And at $99, a great value among todays prices. YES! BTW, this is a wine that "non burgundy drinkers" seem to love as well. I'm using it effectively in the campaign to move my wife from from her bordeaux fixation to the burgundy dark side.
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2004 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir Dijon Clones Starr Ridge Vineyard
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Ha. Quite a change of pace, but this arrived today via UPS, so we wanted to pop a bottle. I buy very little California wine these days, but when we had this at the vineyard last week, it really impressed. Full and vibrant as you'd expect, but there's a haunting depth to this lurking beneath the fresh fruit. A hit with, of all things, peanut butter ice cream. Everyone loved it. I think this will be a surprisingly good wine to cellar.
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1916 Barbeito Madeira Malvazia
Portugal, Madeira
What a great way to end the night. Raisins, nuts, caramel, stink, history. Wow. Thank you to Rico for introducing us to old Madeiras over the last couple of years, and thanks for suggesting we buy this one.
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