Tequila!

When your friend asks what you'd like to drink... it's never a good idea to say "whatever"... anyway... some interesting wine (finally!) last night. Started out with J having us taste (blind) a 2000 Helmut Lang Chardonnay Trockenbeerenauslese, Neusiedlersee, Austria. Not too fond of it. It had quite a botrysized nose, but lacked any defining minerality or depth. 1998 Domaine Serene Cote Sud Chardonnay was spectacular. Who says high-quality American Chardonnay doesn't age well? Even more stunning and Chassagne-Montrachet like than the 1999, this is a spectacular Chardonnay. While certainly new world (lush tropical fruit), there is certainly an underlying richness and minerality, along with some ruggedness that makes this drink like a Premier-Cru. Really beautiful stuff... The 1999 Pride Cabernet Sauvignon was killer... a beautifully-massive, jammy, mature Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. This is mountain fruit, but in a completely different style than perhaps Dunn or Diamond Creek. A great, great wine. Too bad it was the last bottle. Also, 2002 Etude Pinot Noir vs. 2003 Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir - wow, what a difference. Tasting these two side-by-side was a nice exercise. While both had lush ripe fruits, the Etude was much more of the ripe cherry and strawberry variety, while the Cloudy Bay was so black and earthy and rugged. Both great Pinots, both entirely different. That's why Pinot is the best... and then it can be part of Krug... Every day this week. A few sips is all I need. I am never dissapointed.