Here are a few notes from the last couple of weeks.
My birthday recently came and went.
A nice time.
2002 Jean Milan Champagne Terres de Noel Blanc de Blancs
A wonderful nose of brioche, light hazelnuts and citrus. Integrated and sexy. The palate is light in the mouth. It dances with vivacity.
Crystaline fruit. Some spicy elements on the finish. This is extraordinary!
1995 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape (750ml)
The nose is absolute Chateauneuf du Pape perfection. Red/black fruit that is meaty and inviting. Spice from Provence. Ethereal in quality.
The palate is resolved with a host of red fruit, meat and spice notes that continue forever on the finish. Profound. The best Clos des Papes I have ever tasted.
Thanks Gary.
2000 Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape
The nose here is muted. Dark fruit. Loaded with spice and sous bois elements. There is something that is off here. The length is a little off. This bottle was just not right.
1988 Krug
Perfection on the nose. Golden fruit. Spice. Brioche. Wow!
The palate is so focused and delicious. Some apple type fruit. Very long in the mouth. Still young in many ways. Profound.
2002 Dauvissat Chablis Les Preuses
The nose of White Burgundy now. A melange of golden fruit, minerals and an element of truffle that just makes this compelling. Burgundy catnip!
The palate shows fabulous fruit. Crystalline in quality. The length is what is special here. It stays in the mouth forever. Profound.
2004 Belluard Les Alpes Gringet (Savoie)
A floral nose. The palate is loaded with vibrant fruit. The wine has simple structure but great vinosity. Very nice! Thanks Jimmy.
1999 Clos des Lambrays
Wonderful nose of darker fruits and earthiness. Sexy. The palate is full and shows fantastic length. This is still on the way up.
Thanks Rowdy.
2005 Kistler Kistler Vineyard Pinot Noir
California pinot nose. intense red/black fruit. A cola element to me. The palate is focused and shows really nice acid. Great length. This was a surprise. Very nice.
Thanks Jimmy.
1990 Guigal Cote Rotie La Landonne
Just perfect in every way. I don’t really know how to describe this ever evolving monster. Dark fruit. Spice. Bacon. A real savory component on the nose and palate.
The length is just unbeiievable. If there was ever a 100pt wine, this would be in the top 5. Thanks Michael.
1990 Chapoutier Hermitage La Pavillon
A nose that is surmature. There is spice here. Ample fruit. Bacon fat. Meaty. Extremely nice and full in the mouth but it doesn’t have the get up and go of the 1991.
1991 Chapoutier Hermitage La Pavillon
Wow! A perfect Hermitage nose. Dark fruit. Meat. The palate is large at once in the mouth but bursts with incredible complexity. Again, this is very high up there on the perfection scale. Thanks John.
1998 Les Clos de Caillou Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve
A seamless wine. Dark fruit. Spicy notes. Some herbes de Provence. Bacon. The palate is sexy and oh so full. Long in the mouth. This is one of the 1998’s that will make you a believer. Thanks John.
All in all, not a bad way to spend a couple of weeks.