Dinner with Guillaume

WINE TALK
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Guillaume made a stop in Indianapolis over the weekend during his current tour of the States, and we threw together a somewhat impromptu dinner with me, Guillaume and John Coop. Nothing formal or organized…just some good wine and conversation over dinner. Here were the wines:

1982 Ridge Cabernet Savignon Howell Mountain: Guillaume brought this wine, and it apparently came from the cellar of Dick Krueger, although I may be mistaken. It was the first wine that was poured, and I thought it was just beautiful. As the glasses were being filled, I kept getting a really big scent of black cherry. An extremely balanced wine that still had quite a bit of muscle for 27 years old. Oh, to have a cellar of that stuff.

2001 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape: I brought this wine and I think it was maybe the second bottle that I had opened from a 6-pack purchased last year. Guillaume felt that it had some “dish soap” thing going on with it on the nose, but I couldn’t pick it up. It wasn’t corked or oxidized, and we drank a glass or so before moving on. I had another glass last night from the same bottle, and while I still couldn’t pick up any distinct flaw I also don’t think it showed like the last bottle that I opened.
2000 Pride Mountain Vineyards Syrah: This was John Coops “B” bottle after a flawed bottle of something or other opened at home, but it did not disappoint! Poured at the same time as my Vieux Donjon, it was pitch black in the glass. Lots of really big fruit and a little alcohol on the nose. I was expecting some big oak and really firm tannins, and was pleasantly surprised to find nothing of the sort. This isn’t necessarily the style of Syrah that I go for when I’m buying for own tastes, but it was fun to drink!

This is the best setting for drinking wine in my book. No tasting notes or over-analyzing what’s in the glass. Just good company and listening to Guillaume regale us with tales of his adventures and his undying love for Robert Parker. [tease.gif]

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Guillaume also has a serious man-crush on Tony Parker & Manu Ginobili - by any chance, did that come up over dinner? [wink.gif]

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Funny you should say that…I think Tony Parker’s name came up about 37 times over breakfast the next morning. I think Eva might want to consider a restraining order.

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Bob, I actually have a crush on Parker’s wife, but then again who doesn’t? Ginobili not so much. And Parker, I’m not pro or against, I’m just a tough critical mind taking him to task.

As for the wines, the 1982 Ridge had exactly what I look for in this kind of wines and I enjoyed it quite a bit - thanks to Dick Krueger for giving me access to these gems - they are appreciated, I can say that much!

I liked the Pride, I had good memories of their 2001 Cab - it’s definitely not the kind of wines you will find in my cellar, but they are certainly great for what they are trying to achieve. The nose in particular is always great.

I’m pretty sure there was some kind of problem with the Vieux Donjon, although I’d be hard pressed to guess what, but having had the same bottle one week before I can guarantee that this one was unfortunately not representative - anyhow Kent, thanks for bringing it, it is a wine that I really love.

Kent, John, thanks for your generosity! (btw Kent do you know that John had a bottle of Molly Dooker for me the next day when we met?)

[bow.gif]

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I did not know that and I am anxious to hear what you think. You know where I stand, at least on the ones that I have had! [bleh.gif]