EWG Celebrates Y2K
Conrad Green's Abode
Tasted December 19, 2010 by WetRock with 828 views
Introduction
In what looks to be a yearly tradition we again visited the vintage ten years prior for our December dinner. Conrad again hosted us and cooked up an outstanding meal for the dozen of us including some cheese from England that fell off a truck. An outstanding evening where time flew right by.
Again the theme was vintage 2000. We also had some after dinner wines outside of that theme. We really had some outstanding labels on the table that probably need more age but they definitely showed impressive classy textures. Favs on the night for me would be the Raveneau Butteaux, '98 Mayacamas, Togni, Ch. Ferriere, Bonneau and the RWC Madeira. As mentioned, many of the wines showed well for their potential also.
Flight 1 - Greeter (1 note)
Flight 2 - Whites (5 notes)
As I discovered my Monbousquet was corked when decanting earlier in the day I wanted to bring something else. Having not much interesting at home I decided to bag the Mayacamas and stick it in with the whites. The Raveneaus were pretty tight, more so than I expected. The Butteaux was the most open for me and drinking very well. The Mayacamas is drinking nicely right now.
White
2000 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux
France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
This was clearly the most open of the three and also the most rich. Expressive smokey caramel with a lengthy mineral finish. There is still room for improvement in my estimation but I really enjoyed it already. Very good.
White
2000 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Chapelot
France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
Smokey nose that drifts into the palate. The fruit feels substantial but is fairly shy and reserved. Decant or wait a few more years on this one. I think this might end up being one of the fatter wines for the vintage.
White
1998 Mayacamas Vineyards Chardonnay
USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder
I brought this bagged for the group since my red was corked. Signs of age on the nose. Crunchy expressive long palate with strong acids. Stood out since it was so open and fatter fruited than the Chablis. Very good and in a great place right now. Not what many would think of as a Cali Chard.
White
2000 Trimbach Gewurztraminer Cuvée des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre
France, Alsace
This stood out strongly from the Chardonnays in flavors and structure. Weighty and sweet, rich with a thick midpalate. The nose shows ginger and pineapple with a strongly spicy palate. Lingers though it felt a bit clipped. This needs time would probably have drank a bit better in a different context. A better future is ahead for it.
Flight 3 - Cal Cabs (4 notes)
These all showed stronger than I might have expected considering the vintage but this is another lesson about winemaking trumping vintage. The Togni had that classic Cali style that I admire and I thought it to be in a great place.
Red
2000 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow
USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
Some brett on the nose with stewed purple fruits. Dense, focused palate that manages to be bright and clean. There is a nice rocky quality and a lot of tannin here still. An odd mix but this has time to come together a bit better. Decant recommended.
Red
2000 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill
USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
This showed surprisingly tight and structured. Rich feel with blackberry fruits and very strong tannin. Only a touch of heat to mar this but it still needs time in my estimation. A surprise and probably the best of the three.
Red
2000 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon
USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
Easily my favorite on the flight showing like a classic old school Cali Cab. Big nose with a spicy Cab character with lava rock notes and a bit of veggies. Nicely balanced with those classic Cab flavors and more rocky characters. A touch of heat on the nose is the one negative on an otherwise very good wine. In my wheelhouse and in a good place to me.
Flight 4 - Bordeaux (5 notes)
The Ferriere was a great surprise for me. The Cheval Blanc seemed very regal if not very showy on the day. There was some confusion on the decanters between the Haut-Bergey and the Poyferre. Neither wine showed very well though. Both actually seemed a bit disjointed and modern in style. Or they might just be in awkward places.
Red
2000 Château Ferrière
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Classic left bank pencil lead on a great nose. Balanced with a nicely light mouthfeel. Rich fruit and soft tannin. A classic left bank Bordeaux character. In a real nice place. Very good.
Red
2000 Château Haut-Bergey
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Tight nose with notes of ripe fruit and meat. Cedary redwood and meat on the palate. There is tartness and nice expression on the finish yet it seemed to lack some acid which made it feel soft.
Red
2000 Château Léoville Poyferré
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Ripe red fruits and cedar on the nose. Juicy and lean feeling with strong tannin though a bit disjointed. The acids seemed tart like, artificial in nature. Needs more bottle time.
Red
2000 Château Cheval Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Cedary tight nose. Lovely balanced palate showing great length. Even, pretty and delicate with sweet fruits. The palate feel and structure were terrific but the fruit was a bit shy. Clearly a wine of great class. This should be spectacular in 10 more years.
Flight 5 - Rhone (4 notes)
An interesting mix. The Bonneau really stood out to me as the best drinking of the flight on the night. The Chave was another one that showed its class but was hidden from full expression.
Red
2000 Arcadian Syrah Garys' Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
Baked fruits with soy aromas. Sweet and sharp with a very straight forward character. Lacking some complexity and drinking like grape concentrate.
Red
2000 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Ripe tomato nose with some heat. Pretty sweet fruited palate with strong tannin. There is some oak influence but there is strong tannin on a spiced fruit finish that lingers for some time. This came off as more full throttle to me.
Red
2000 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Woody nose with florals and roasted meats. Pretty and bright palate with a very clean even structure displaying strong acidity. This is all about potential but its going to a great place.
Red
2000 Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve des Célestins
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Very light in color in comparison to the other three wines of the flight. Peppery spicy nose with spiced chamomile tea and brett notes. Very structured for a CdP the acids really showed strongest with the fruits still on the tight side. Lengthy palate. This was terrific showing that classic spicy Grenache CdP character and even some room for improvement.
Flight 6 - After Dinner (4 notes)
Another mix here. The Fonseca seems like a pup to me drinking very young. The Tokaji was one of the best I have had. The Madeira was just a great experience. It is always special drinking something made so long ago, especially when it tastes great.
Red - Fortified
1985 Fonseca Porto Vintage
Portugal, Douro, Porto
Big nose of sweet cherry and brandy. Rich and primary yet on the palate. This seemed extremely young to me. I had thought many of the 80's Ports were not as dense as this. A long way to go here.
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