ciao...

Barolo

So, the 2004 Barolos and Barbarescos... you should buy as much as you possibly can. I've been saying it for a while, but this is a vintage to cherish... to put away for your kids 21st birthday (or your retirement). This is a 25/ 30 year vintage.. such concentration, but such classic notes as well. This is why Barolo is the King and Barbaresco is the queen... long life - check! complexity found almost nowhere else - check - still in a reasonable price point for the quality - absolutely check... I got into them because my wife doesn't love (gasp!) Burgundy, but for some reason loved the Italians... so, there you go. Buy them and thank me in 20 years...

Changes...

So... I've been through so many changes in the last 2 months that life has gotten the best of me. I will still write this blog, but it will be on a much more limited basis, as I have numerous other responsibilities at the moment, both at home, and in the general wine community as whole (including business, volunteering, etc.). So... let me know what you'd like me to write about!!!!!!

Andrew

Does it get much better?

Sitting here, enjoying a glass of 2005 BV Georges de Latour, watching the Tivo'd version of the 2009 Masters Par 3 Contest, with Jack, Arnie and Gary all playing together... amazing place, Augusta National. Really, really nice. Had 2 different bottles of 1991 BV GDL this afternoon - one corked, one utterly beautiful. Cassis, cedar, leather, dusty, beautiful - simply great wine. Still youthful... The 2004 Sonoma-Cutrer Les Pierres is drinking perfectly... lovely subtle oak with minerals, golden delicious apples and mango. Long, clean pure finish. The 2006 Ramey Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay blows me away year in and year out. In my mind, he is the greatest Chardonnay producer in California. Stunning stuff.

Wine is good... but so is tequila!

2004 Sotor North Yamhill Pinot Noir was pretty - turned earth notes with balanced alcohol... pretty, long finish. Went great with Duck Confit. The 2007 Cederberg Bukettraube, South Africa was a really cool wine... some residual sugar to it, with a beautiful honeysuckle, apple skin and peach nose - almost a blend of Riesling and Chenin Blanc... long finish with just a hint of spice. The Gran Patron Platinum Tequila was served at just the right temperature, neat... so beautiful... a wonderful sip of smoke, lime, and intense florality. Beautiful...

Variety is the spice of life...

Sitting here, in my living room, watching the end of the Northern Trust Open on TV, enjoying a bottle of Billecart-Salmon Brut NV (really nice stuff here, GDA, light toast and brioche, though a touch higher dosage(?) than I usually like) The 2006 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay is classic... mineral, leesy, buttered popcorn, toasted almonds, and loads of ripe apples. The 1999 Bollinger Grand Année is delicious... simply outstanding stuff. Vanilla, toasted hazelnuts, Golden Delecious Apples, ginger and exotic spices with citrus and a rich, mineral finish. A fabulous Champagne with years ahead of it. The 1993 Ampeau Volnay-Santenots was sampled from some 14 bottles, with severe variation between all of them. At worst, corked (quite a few), at best, a beautiful earth and barnyard cherry compote. Good, but ready to go. The 1998 Chateau Petite-Village was simply beautiful - tasted 16 bottles, with very little variation (2 corked). A very elegant Pomerol from this very under-appreciated Right-bank vintage. Cedar, dark chocolate, burnt cocoa powder, blackberry, wild red currant and black cherry. A nice, elegant finish. The 1989 Chateau Petite-Village was tasted from 6 magnums (1 corked) and 4 750ml bottles. There was some variation between the two, but not appreciable. Some brett on these, but the beautiful wet underbrush and black and red mixed berry fruit pushed it aside fairly quickly. Perfectly mature - these are not going to get any better, but the structure is still there to maintain for quite a while. The 1977 Dows Port en Magnum was simply beautiful... almonds, candied plums, cedar and molassas... a lovely, very long finish... still a baby, but nice to drink now! A lovely evening...

Had a Tiger beer this afternoon and boy was it good... lovely, light amber... had it in a spot I never would have thought would have had something like this. Great stuff.

Brilliance...

Sorry for the long delay in posts... last night had a marvelous selection of wines from brothers Jean & Pierre Trimbach. When I hear the name "Trimbach", my ears perk up, and I start salivating... the wines are sheer brilliance. The 2006 Pinot Blanc is refreshing, floral, with a bit of weight and moderately intense mineral notes. The 2001 Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling is perfection... incredible minerality - sharp and intense, with a classic bone-dry Riesling profile - petrol, flowers, unripe stone fruit, citrus (hello, lime!) and ginger spice. I had this wine a few months ago and it was almost too intense, but it has now just begun to open. Bravo... this is what Riesling is all about. Clos Ste Hune good? Maybe not, but at 1/3 the price, an incredible value. Though enjoyable now, this really needs at least another 2-5 years to come around. The 2001 Pinot Gris Reserve Personelle was outstanding, but not stunning like the CFE. A bit riper with more nectarine, apricot and Asian spice - intense mineral notes as well, and bone dry. Great wine. The 2001 Cuvee des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre Gewurztraminer is pure... that's the only way I can describe it. Ripe? Yes... but unlike so many others, this is very dry and not overdone. Beautiful lychee, stone and citrus with exotic spices oozing from the glass. A beauty and one of the great dry Gewurz in the world. The 2002 Vendange Tardive Gewurztraminer was much more floral, explosive and stony than the CSR and was a great way to end the meal - a lychee bomb! Awesome stuff... I had a bottle of 2000 Hors Choix (SGN) Gewurz that I kept open for almost a month once... amazing wines, and great to see Jean again...