Todd is so ana - I mean, particular - taking all these glorious snapshots. I’m a purveyor of facts, the narrative of what really occurred…
And of course, not just wine stuff. I’ll unfold those side-stories as the thread progresses, but the narrative of true elote athleticism - and how even curdled cream rises to the top - must be spoken. Yes, after crushing the field on a long, steep, rocky hike, I had to assert my dominance on the extreme sport of pickleball. Using Todd’s equipment. And saddled with Jorge as my teammate. We allowed Kane and Carnes to take the first two sets in this best 3 of 5 King of the Highlands World Championship, and then we threw down the hammer. The thrashing we laid down was illustrious. And since we all were hungover and had several bottles of champagne for breakfast, with caviar, no excuses applied. Todd watched football while we were at war. And then watched more football as we napped.
I wish I had a sophisticated of a champagne palate as these guys and as many of the people on this forum. The champagnes that Kane and Carnes brought were off the charts exceptional, and the cadence at which we were drinking them, was akin to an athletic competition. Having the 2004 Les Mesnil by Krug and Salon side by side, well that’s not something I ordinarily experience. Actually, all of the 2004 champagnes showed spectacularly well. We also had the 2004 Dom P2 and the 2004 Cristal. I found the Salon just a small cut above the field, enough for me to clearly have noticed a difference in a sea of spectacular champagnes. I put the Cristal over the Dom, then Krug second. I’ll defer to the boys to highlight the nuances between all of these wines.
It was really hard to take notes as we got deep into the evening, but I did manage to take notes on about a third of the wines on my iPhone, taking a few minutes here and there on the side, never forgetting that the Weekend really was more about the camaraderie, that the five of us have had for a handful of years now. Getting together with all of these guys, or even one on one, when we can grab a chance, is always a highlight. Berserkers are great people.
1995 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Pauilliac
Super aromatic Bordeaux perfume, quite intoxicating really. Dark black fruits and cassis, a sexy woodsy note, hints of exotic spice. Saddle leather and cigar leaf. A big rich nose, the palate shows much more leanly, some astringency that took time to soften and resolve. Broader range of red to darker fruits on the palate, good acidic structure, tannins fairly well integrated. Short-ish finish, perhaps just a bit clipped. A wine that garners 96 points on the nose and 92 on the palate, a notable drop-off.
(94 pts.)
1989 Brane-Cantenac, Margaux
Shows more Pessac-Leognan than Margaux, quite earth-driven and more of a red fruit profile. Dank earth, warm ripe red fruits with a plummy dark presence. Some citrus red notes as well. This wine drinks quite lovely but is clearly on the backside of peak. Drink up and enjoy.
(93 pts.)
2009 Domaine Huet Vouvray Franc de Pied Le Haut-Lieu
The unicorn Huet! A Franc de Pied. Smokey match-stick nose after some time open. Shows really bright and fresh on both the nose and palate. Interesting juxtaposition of tropical and citrus notes with diesel and wax. Quince, kiwis, nectarines, peach and apples. Stone fruits for sure. A chewy white, like biting into a juicy tropical fruit with a crispy tart skin. Long lingering finish. More on the dry side than sweet.
(94 pts.)
1975 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Graves
This is a glorious mature wine, classic Graves. Earthy mineral tones on the nose, iron and leather with some air. Deep blood iron notes. Quite pungent, actually. Palate is a beautiful range of red fruits. Crisp acid, still quite fresh, youthful and vibrant. Dry dusty coating on the tongue, long streaky finish.
(97 pts.)
1982 Chateau Canon
Perfectly at peak, perfect pitch. Wonderful wet soil tones, ripe red and dark fruits. Cigar box, leather, some light iron and earth-mineral notes. Round and elegant on the palate. Ventures into the deep dark and plummy tones. Still nicely structured, full- bodied though tannins fully integrated.
(97 pts.)
1982 Ducru-Beaucaillou, Saint-Julian
This shows as a great Ducru should, that lovely Saint Julian perfume of rich dark fruits, wood pencil shavings and earth. Still a big chewy wine, could go another 20 easy. Took some time to show, give this one a solid decant. As Todd noted, this big wine really needs something like the smash burgers we were eating to showcase its goods.
(96 pts.)
1990 Rosenblum Cellar, Sonoma Valley Zinfandel, Maggie’s Reserve
The surprise of the weekend, and not just because it was actually alive. This was excellent. Reminds me of the “By the Glass” offerings occasionally at Bern’s, when you are trying 40+ year old classic Zins stored exceptionally well. A claret-like perfume with some additional spicy and brambly notes. Earth and herbs. Palate is round, plummy and sweet with some nice citrus acids. Tannins fully resolved; body was soft, seamless, almost silky. Labeled at 13.8% ABV and shows no heat. A treat to experience, really fun. And such a classic old California label, you feel the history here.
(94 pts.)
1998 Vieux Chateaux Certan
Such a gorgeous wine. Classic Pomerol black truffles, toasted garlic, deep dark fruits and rich wet earth. Palate is seamless with a wonderful range of dark fruits. Impeccable balance on this wine. Circled back about three hours later and that wine was wide open and gorgeous - note to self, decant longer next time.
(96 pts.)
1998 Chateau Magdelaine
Enjoyed side-by-side with the VCC. Equally excellent, but also quite different. Love the minty and more herbaceous notes on this wine.
(95 pts.)
And my red wine of the weekend, Todd brought this killer wine:
Could be that it was just so much different than the Bordeaux we were drinking, or maybe that it was just a bit more young and fresh, but I loved the deep complexity to this wine.
We also popped a 2005 Vatan Clos la Neore like last gathering. It’s hard not to want to score this wine 100 points every single time. Vatan is just so singular. I have never tasted a Sauvignon Blanc, like this, clearly has some characteristics that are more akin to a Chenin, but with a hell of a lot more complexity and depth. The waxiness to this tropical fruit profile is quite distinct for Sav Blanc.
Needless to say, I’m wiped out today. Three full days and full nights at 100 mph, followed by a 10 hour drive home in Meats’ big 'ole luxury RV. That he allowed me to drive that on the highway should scare anyone.
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