1993 Geezer showed in epic fashion. I have always enjoyed this vintage and superb examples are just entering what should be a lengthy & robust window of enjoyment. Everything anyone could want from an aged field blend. Opened as a birth-year wine for Mel’s eldest’s girlfriend. Cue Everything is Awesome!!! from The Lego Movie and just enjoy.
1983 Beatty displays that Burgundy Unbearable Lightness and ample Draper perfume. Nose initially like 3/4 floral and 1/4 old wine but old wine smell dissipated. Like many Howell Mtn Zins this punches well above its weight class while being a fully resolved bottle now. Opened simply to give all a look at a wine a decade older than the Geezer from the same producer.
Discussion of the two vintages ensued and I eventually commented 1983 was the year I graduated college and began medical school, returning to Brooklyn. This comment yielded no response, verbal or otherwise. When I added I was 22 years old at that time the 21 year-old girlfriend simply stopped her fork for a few seconds, inches from her mouth. Not in school and not really working in any field other than retail here and there I guess this hit home. We thankfully let this moment pass without discussing how “different” everything is 32 years later, a subject I have a difficult time enduring.
