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2000 Vina de Liceaga Gran Reserva - Mexico, Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe (2/6/2011)
Bought this on a trip to the Valle de Guadalupe in 2002. It was tight and unforgiving at the time, but I wanted to buy something and due to its classically structured profile, this seemed to show the most promise. Popped it today with cheese and pate for the Super Bowl. Two hours open, no decant. Sight was cherry red and clear. Lots of sediment, but more red wine solids than dirt. Surprisingly complex, with plum and red fruit flavors, hints of pine resin and a bit of pencil lead. Still well structured, but time has revealed a nice core of sweet fruit and a grippy dry extract. Showed no signs of fading while drunk over a 4-hour period. This was a world class wine that would have gotten lost in a blind BDX tasting. In fact, I liked it a lot more than a 2004 Gravette de Certan that we drank alongside it. Who’d a thunk it? (93 pts.) -
2006 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru (1/16/2011)
Shows advanced, which is not unexpected for 2006. Jan wanted a rich, buttery chardonnay, but with fruit. This was right on the money. (92 pts.) -
2003 Catherine et Pierre Breton Bourgueil Les Perrières - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Bourgueil (1/16/2011)
Time has served this wine well. Still a bit stewy, but now, with another 3 years in bottle, this impresses as a warm richness. Compoted red and black fruits, with a bit of fresh tobacco and dried herbs. The structure that seemed missing in 2007 is here now. A really nice bottle of wine and completely unexpected. (91 pts.) -
2005 Château Les Grands Maréchaux - France, Bordeaux, Côtes de Blaye, Premières Côtes de Blaye (11/28/2010)
Pop and pour. Nice, hefty Bdx that’s flat out ready to drink. Not complex, but good weight and balance is right on. Would have made a good house wine at $16. (90 pts.) -
2006 Ridge Monte Bello - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (11/25/2010)
Opened for about five hours before drinking. Sight is typical of a young cab. I imagine there’s a wine hiding under all this American oak, but I couldn’t find it. Undrinkable. Someone please tell me the oak integrates with time because I have five more bottles and they were not cheap. (60 pts.)
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