Best of the week

I guess you could say I tried a few good wines this week... Highlite? The 2001 Joseph Phelps Insignia (tasted 4 times in the last 8 days). This wine has "it" - that special something that makes your eyes open up, the sides of your mouth rise. Beautiful chocolate/cocoa/roasted coffee nose with loads of black fruits. Outstanding. Not to be missed. Other highlites? 2001 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (closed, but gorgeous mouthfeel), 2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia (which may end up being better than the 01 - it seems to have more guts, but the 2001 is so good, who cares? Tasted twice in 8 days - showed better the first time), 2001 Chateau Pichon-Baron Longeuville, and the 2001 Chateau Plince. Last and certainly not least... the 2002 Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand. Best pinot I've tasted from NZ yet... Earthy, ripe, rich and dark as merlot.