VLG - ClayFu In The House

A very nice lunch. Thanks to everyone for sharing some fine stuff. My favorites were the Sebaste and the Copain which I enjoyed equally. But the big surprise and pleasure was the Saxum. Thanks Cris.

• 1997 Maison Leroy Bourgogne Blanc

  France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Blanc

  I have this as Maison Leroy in CT ... I'll check the bottle when I get home ... as I never looked at it or maybe someone here knows if there was a Domain Bourgogne Blanc
  This was decent. Now where near the 99. I think its best years are behind it. I took some home and had another glass and it was losing complexity. Still it is nice to see how an 11 year old Bourgogne holds up. Actually the wine should hold up for a long time as the fruit is there but I just not sure it will be that interesting.

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• 1998 Sean Thackrey Orion Rossi Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  Bummer, this did not show like my last bottle, but the last time I had it, it was a pop and pour and this showed its best early on. The wine had already been open for 4 hours and the first glass I really enjoyed. It was just as I remembered it. By the end of our 2 hour lunch, there was lots of VA showing and the wine was out of balance. We had a glass with dinner too and it was probably getting worse. Not to say it was bad, but it had more things sticking out than with my previous bottle.

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• 1999 Mauro Sebaste Barolo Prapò 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  We did have some cork issues here. It was actually stuck to the side so we had to break it out. So there was a little cork in each glass. At first this was a little stinky but it quickly sorted out into nice dried flowers and dried red fruit. The palate was very nice. Very packed but the texture and acid gives it great balance. I really like it now but agree its best days are ahead if it.

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• 2005 Copain Syrah Hawks Butte Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands

  Yippie I still have a little bit of this at home to try tonight ... Thanks Leslie. Pop and pour works with this because the fruit can cover up some of the structure. This smells like a beauty. Like young Cote Rotie. Very bright fruit along with what seems to be stems (Cris thought there was not much in here). I think the Hawks Butte is emerging as my favorite Copain Syrah. I focus on the Pinots but this is intriguing.

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• 2006 Saxum James Berry Vineyard

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Maybe the first time I really enjoyed a Saxum. So many people that seem to have similar palates to me with regards to Cali Rhone love these but I am always shocked since the are so rich and think. And this was certainly a rich milkshake. That is really what it tastes like but this one really held it together with the fruit easily breaking through the oak wall. Lots of underlying structure and acid. It is very heavy on the palate. The other thing I enjoyed here was that it seemed uniquely Californian. Most nights of the week I would take the Prapo or the Hawks Butte but this one stuck with me and I am now making plans to buy my first Saxum. I would drink this now but I am very curious as to how it will age. Will it be a beauty or a blob.

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• 2005 Dayton Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Are you kidding me. This was impressive and at the price point, close to unbelievable. Lots of oak and a very plush mouthfeel but it also had some very nice green notes. Cab qualities were ever present. Nice herbs and bell pepper worked with with the somewhat gobby fruit.

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