some stellar wines with 2 (in)famous bersekers this week at Blue Hill which gets better and better – some of the best food and overall experience in NYC.
Started with a magnum of 1979 Krug Collection which drinks better than you think it will – and you think it will be effing magical. Bright, tight bubbles, like the most explosive Chevalier Montrachet you’ve ever had but with bubblez. Piercing on the palate - finish goes on for minutes. Packed with flavor and raw power. Ageless. Will outlive us all.
Moving on, some 2009 Vatan “Clos la Neore” to clean the palate - ripe fruit and wet stones, depth, focus, great bottle. Sets us up nicely for the trio of burgs…
We moved on with a side-by-side of 2001 Potel Grands-Echezeaux and 2000 Roumier Bonnes Mares - the Potel is meant to be DRC juice and it wouldn’t surprise me - classic Vosne funk and spice - very aromatic and starting to show some leg, but still early…all signs point to “yes.” The Roumier was shy in comparison – same lot as previous bottles which were showy, so maybe it’s closing down a bit after being open for at least 5 years (I’ve had this vintage of Roumier more than others, so there’s a decent track record in my head). Still though, very classy, very pure and complex, but the tannins got in the way a bit. Don’t think it’s drying out as the palate has great sap.
Then the 2006 DRC La Tache - what a treat. This is a big wine - big flavor, soaring nose, very DRC on the nose with spice and some oak, but more approachable than I anticipated. Long and silky - but with air, the structure emerges and you know it’ll be better in the future. And you get that savory/umami/soy thing that just screams depth. No harm in cracking one now.
Finished up with a magnum of 1974 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard cabernet - easily one of the best wines I’ve ever had in my life. If I believed in a perfect wine, this would be in that category - was told the cork came out in pieces, but the wine was in perfect form – deep, dark color with just the right amount of bricking at the edges. Pure silk from start to finish - the true definition of seamless – but tons of energy, exotic nose of pure mint, cigar, dark berries; this bottle was still young. And this format really aided in appreciating the wine with a few glasses. Benchmark Cabernet – not only from CA – but from anywhere. Was thinking about this bottle all week. Magnum #1200 of 1200.
I was grateful to be apart of the evening, especially back in my hometown… Y, as you said, the Heitz, Magnum #1200 of 1200 was a “perfect” wine and not only the best CA. wine I have ever tasted, but one of the greatest wines I have ever drunk. Thanks to the “playa” who brought it…
I was thinking the same thing. My first encounter ever with Vatan was the 09 recently and I loved it. 2010 due here next week- that should be a stunner. It went very fast in the US market.
Yaacov, glad to hear you liked the 2006 La Tache. Your note rings true with how this performed at release- showing quite well young. Of the entire range, this was probably the most giving early on. But I expect it will age beautifully.
When I was ITB I asked our veteran California expert and buyer what was the best California wine he ever had. His reply was 1974 Martha’s. Your magnum must have been sublime!
