TN's from Kittlehouse Dinner 5/2

WINE TALK
1

last night at the Kittlehouse, Bordeaux vs California Cabernet (More Bordeaux than Cali Cab)

Ch Haut Brion 1974:
This was tasted blind and most thought that it was a 1980’s bordeaux or Cali Cab. I knew that it was a 1970’s Bordeaux based upon the 1970’s tasting last Autumn, with Mark G. The color of this wine was perfect which indicated ideal storage. The fruit and tannins were both soft and it was a pleasure to enjoy this. Mark’s friend was gracious enough to bring this and it was a treat indeed.

Ch Monbousquet 2000
Ch Beychevelle 2003
Ch Figeac 1990
Le Croix de Beaucaillou 2000
Ch Rausan Segla 2000
Ch Branaire Ducru 2000
Ch Calon Segur 2000

R. Mondavi VineHill 2002
Karl Lawrence 2000
Viader V 2000
Steltzner 2004

Ch St Jean Johannisberg, Riesling 1978

Ch Monbousquet 2000 firm and decent fruit, people thought that it was a Cali Cab when tasted blind.

Ch Beychevelle 2003 Interesting floral nose, one of my favorites for the evening.

Le Croix de Beaucaillou 2000 firm tannins and fruit, a nice 2nd wine and one that has backbone to it.
Ch Rausan Segla 2000 the crowd thought it was corked, no notes

Ch Branaire Ducru 2000 seemed diluted to me, decent nose but not alot going on here

Ch Calon Segur 2000 Wow, amazing. Great balance and finesse. Deep dark color and a great wine.

I was not overly impressed with the lineup of Cabernets present. The interesting note was the Riesling from Ch St. Jean, it had turned black looking more like motor oil than wine, truly amazing.

2

Nice notes, Mike. I really like Kittle House and, even more so, their list. Do they still have '00 Leoville Poyferre?

3

We didn’t check out the list, as we had brought our own wines. The 1990 Figeac should have been the 2000, which I had wanted to bring to check out teh green stuff that others had reported. Instead, I have to go out and source a new one for a figeac tasting I am doing. Great evening; the food was excellent, and company & wines even better.

In order of liking:
Figeac loved it when I wasn’t kicking myself
Calon was excellent; really a wine to buy at its current price
Beychevelle very impressive.
Branaire pleasant not a world beater
Viader V very obviously NW, but decent complexity and the fruit was rich and sexy
La Croix OK.
Monbousquet much too New World for my taste.

Other Cabs: this is why I have not been buying Cab. Even the Mondavi tasted semi sweet.


Not sure the Rausan was corked, but certainly had an off taste.

4

5 2000 Bordeaux and 2 2000 Napa Cabs (1 not even CS based). I wonder why>

Napa just dispatched SEAL Team Six out to Westchester. [snort.gif] newhere

5

sounds like a fun dinner. But Mark , that’s about 3 times in last couple years you brought wrong vintage (luckily usually better), we need to get you special cellar reading glasses. I really like the 90 Figeac.

6

well then lets recreate it in the city, you can be in charge of Cabs, I will be in charge of arranging Bordeaux. Interested???

7

I am. I will email you.


“SEAL ALPHA SIX, NO GO, NO GO. REPEAT SEAL ALPHA SIX, NO GO. TARGET HAS BEEN NEUTRALIZED WITH AN AGREEMENT”

8

Can I play? Pleeez . . .

Joe

9

10

June, Pobega, you want to set up a place to gain interest?

11

Go for it with the bordeaux crowd. I have a core CLONYC crowd I can draw from.

12

Mark,

Your vintage error= our gain, loved the figeac [cheers.gif]

13

Thanks Mike for setting this up, it was nice to meet everyone.
definitely interested in getting together anytime, any theme

14

As Peter Sichel once remarked, “One look at the label is worth 30 years of experience.” The truth of it, is that one look at the label also means 30 years without regretting you brought the wrong bottle. Doesn’t matter, even through clenched teeth, I still liked it, and was glad to share it. [drinkers.gif]