Here are some overdue tasting notes/impressions from the last several weeks. All were enjoyed with good friends from Southern California, over a few meals. All of the reds were opened 1-2 hours before serving. Overall, the 96’s showed well and should continue to have a broad drinking window, and are listed in order of my preference.
Pommery “Brut Royal” Champagne – nice citrus and peach tones, nice crispness and acidity and really enjoyable as an aperitif. Recommended.
2007 Mount Eden Estate Chardonnay – I love Chards from the Santa Cruz Mountains and this wine was no exception. Notes of minerals, citrus, pears, and peaches, with beautiful texture and wonderful balance. At or close to peak.
1996 Montelena Estate Cab – the first of a few 96’s, and to my palate, the best. The nose was an explosive mix of red fruits, cinnamon, graphite, earth and tobacco. Full bodied, with polished tannins, with the flavors carrying through to the long finish. This wine is in a great place right now and should continue to be there for at least the next 5 years. I lament not buying more of these.
1996 Pichon Lalande – I was really looking forward to this wine, as I have not had it in many years, and it did not disappoint, although I don’t think it has hit its peak yet. Pure Lalande, with lead pencil, graphite,mint and dark fruit flavors. Just a step behind the Montelena this time around, and will most likely surpass it in 5 years. The best analogy between the two is like having a 1A and 1B Ace Pitcher in a starting rotation.
1996 Forman Cabernet – From Magnum. The Forman had a leaner profile than either the Monte of the PLL, and seemed to need more time to come together. The wine has a lot of dark fruit in the flavor profile, but a little less ‘oomph’ than the Montelena. One to revisit again in a few years.
1996 Cos D’Estournel – The consensus least favorite of all of the ‘96’s. This wine would have been OK on its own, but it was simply outclassed by the other ‘96’s, as there was less intensity to the fruit flavors. A very good versus great wine, with less concentration of red fruit flavors and a shorter finish than the others.
1982 Cos D’Estournel – Fully mature, this wine had incredible balance and texture, with the fruit, acid and tannin complimenting each other perfectly. Loads of red and blue fruits on the palate, mixed with herbs and tobacco. I really liked this wine.
1988 Climens – in a word, fabulous. Great intensity, pure pineapple flavors,wonderful texture, a long finish, this is everything one should look for in a mature Sauternes.
Thanks for reading,
Ed