Haunted by a WOW wine.

Ever been haunted by the memory of a wine’s taste?
Last week I had the pleasure of tasting some great cabs with friends. All showed good to great but one has stuck in my sensory memory bank for 8 days. I actually thought of it more than the US economy, (but slightly les thas my economy). I have checked WS no less than twice daily for new arrivals within driving distance. 2 are sched’d to be shipped tomorrow. More will follow.

I think I may have actually tasted one of the greatest wines in my life yet, a pretty heady statement since I’ve surely tasted 10,000+ if I tasted 1. (and yes, I’ve learned to spit early on). I gave this wine a MP95, but will be visiting my written notes and changing to 99.
The wine you ask:
2004 Buccella.

Thanks Cheryl. WOTN may be my WOTL
But what the heck do I know?

[cheers.gif]

OH yeah, just subtract 4 [haha.gif]

WOTL…bold statement.

Poker Face still haunts me as my best wine ever. 1988 d’Yquem is a close second.

Wow, indeed. I have two more. Let’s give it six months and do it again. If you can’t wait six months, let’s just do it! (I’m serious, btw, I’d love to share it with you.) It was an outstanding experience. I’m really glad you liked it.

I’ve had this wine once when it was first released and it was excellent. It sounds like it’s gotten even better. Thankfully I have 4 bottles of this in my cellar so if there is an offline opportunity that actually works for my schedule I would be happy to bring one along. [cheers.gif]

Any comparison to the '05. I can still find these on the shelves in these parts.

mike,

I just might have to check one of these out. Had the 04 a year or so ago and didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as you, sounds like its in a nice spot right now.

Bill, what I’m gonna do (Don’t tell my wife [dance.gif] ) is get an 02,03,04,05 and do a mini vertical. I might wait for a Celia version to add to the mix. No, never had an 05. Might be worth trying. What is Herolds last vintage?

If the man never makes another cab we are all truly at a loss.

05 was Herolds last vintage at Bucella. I skipped 06 Merus but will buy 07. I sure hope he continues to make wine!

I liked both a lot, but they are different wines. Here is my recent note on the 05:

Popped and poured and drank over a 2 hour period. Very dark color as expected for this wine. Dark fruits abound with mouthfilling viscosity. Lots of tannin, but very soft ones that support the fruit while still letting the fruit shine. It did not change much over the drinking time. It should improve with age, but I like it plenty the way it is now.

I had the 04 last year at this same stage of life and the 2 vintages are very different. The 2005 does not have any of the candy bar quality and the fruits are not quite as sweet as the 2004. Both are great, but the 2005 is something that is a little more serious that the 2004.

To answer Mike’s question, I still can’t forget the 02 Merus that I had several years ago. A revelation of a wine.

I’m with you. CLONYC #6, 9/4/07. Merus '02 beats out '02 Shafer Hillside Select, '03 Scarecrow, '04 Maybach among others. And not a close race. '02 Merus pulling away and away and away …

http://www.pobega.com/clonyc/6.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Steve, Kobalt is (was?) a Herold wine as well…no?
The 03 kicked ass.

For me, a 1996 Paradigm Cabernet opened a couple of years back. Elegance and power – what’s that cliche …iron fist in a velvet glove.

Yep. I tried to get you in on the '05 and '06. A “bargain” by Mark Herold standards. $90/btl to my door from the list for a case.

The last wine I had that haunts me was an '01 Spottswoode that seemed to be just entering its drinking window a couple of months back.

Yes. Kevin, the owner is a friend of Mark.

A killer wine that I have enjoyed many times. HPB at her finest.

Yep. I tried to get you in on the '05 and '06. A “bargain” by Mark Herold standards. $90/btl to my door from the list for a case.

Yes you did. I should have heeded.

1982 Mouton, 1989 HB and LMHB are still wines that haunt my palate.

Oh that’s right, you young guys were talking about California Wines, I almost forgot. 1974 Martha’s Vineyard. Astounding wine. That was before Mark Herold’s time though.

Now that’s funny. [gen_fro.gif]

Out of curiosity, what is the definition of “young” as it pertains people enjoying wine?

There are many a great red burgs that I like but I can’t say they haunt me because to haunt me there has to be some surprise factor - with red burgs I know what I’m drinking and I know why I’m drinking it, so it doesn’t really ever haunt me - I already know I’m going to like them.

Wines that still haunt me:

  • 95 Comtes Lafon Meursault Clos de la Barre (my first really serious wine, they don’t do it the way they used to, and despite having tasted many great white burgs since then it’s still the one that haunts me)
  • 82 Pichon Lalande (there are no words for a good bottle of this)
  • 98 CdP Clos du Caillou Reserve (mind-boggling)
  • 99 Jamet Cote Brune (probably my favourite wine ever)
  • 02 Mouton (never had a nose like this)
  • 71 Climens (my wow sweet wine)
  • a selection of cali cabs from the 70s (I’m a big fan now of older cali cabs)

And BTW what is Buccella and where is it from?