For a holiday party last night I cracked open some bottles and was mightily impressed with the performance of the streamlined, full-bodied, mineral (gunflint) infused and lip smackingly dry Domaine Trimbach Riesling Cuvee Frederic Emile 1999, which is drinking very well today.
There followed a very full-bodied, clove like spicy, dark fruit exotic and meaty Chateau Gruaud Larose St Julien 2003, which had earned substantial plaudits in a blind tasting in Washington DC a couple of years ago. I had bought a few bottles after reading about that and I can say with affirmation: it is the real deal.
Finally, a thoroughly red fruit and very elegant Chateau Figeac St Emilion PGCC 2004. Ben Giliberti had told me that it is drinking very well today and by Golly it is. A wine dripping with deliciousness, it has a mouth filling palate - with notions of cassis coming from the Cabernet Sauvignon and a plum richness from the Merlot and yet finishing on a red fruit freshness. A lovely wine with plenty of grip for classicists like me.