Farewell B...

I am trying to find some time to really write again, and I should soon - meaning now. B will be missed. One of the great motivators I've ever met. He's perfect for where he's going, but we are worse off for him having gone. Anyway...

Last 2 nights first... Tasted the 2001 Joseph Phelps Insignia twice in the last two nights - one out of 750ml and the other from magnum. The 750 was beautiful. That classic Insignia nose - cedar, plums, dustiness. Very elegant - still powerful, but giving up a lot right now. Excellent. The Magnum, on the other hand, was extremely closed. The nose was not giving up much, and the palate was simply flat. This wine has shut down. I tend to think that the wine will go through a dormant stage, and like most great wines, will come out the other side a glorious, outstanding wine. Very few wines from California are meant to age, but Insignia is still one of them. Just taste the 1994, 1991, 1996, etc. These wines are incredible. The 2002 is even better. The 2003 Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvingon is massive. Completely blows away the Insignia in terms of power, extraction, and current enjoyability. All black plums, graphite, anise, tar, and sweet black currant. Not as good as the 02, but close. Showing better now than when I tasted it in September. The 1999 BR Cohn Olive Hill Cabernet Sauvignon is full of green, under ripe fruit. If you have some, drink it now or give it away. The 1970 Grahams Vintage Port is, unfortunately, done. There is very little to this wine anymore other than pure alcohol on the nose. Maybe just a hint of nuttiness, but it's just not there. I will reserve complete judgement until I taste another bottle, but I think I already know the answer. The 2002 Stags Leap Wine Cellars "Fay" Cabernet Sauvignon from 3L was wierd... this one smelled like stewed tomatoes(?). Very ripe, jammy raspberry, strawberries (feels like I'm describing a pinot - not a cab!) and very ripe black plums. Nice finish, but as I don't like tomatoes, this wine was not for me.

Back to Saturday night. Started out painfully slow, then all of a sudden - WHAM. 15 minutes - 6 bottles of wine. First, the 1978 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild was pretty. Classic Mouton - if not a touch on the light side. Loads of anise (still!) with cedar, graphite, leather, and truffles. Clearly Mouton, but this one is past its prime and should be drunk now (or 10 years ago). The 1999 Domaine Leroy Meursault-Charmes 1er Cru was closed, woody, and ready for a long sleep. This wine is massive, it just needs time to integrate. I wouldn't touch this for at least another 5 years or so, and would probably wait 7-10. Built for a long life. The 2001 Domaine de la Vougeraie Clos Blanc de Vougeot 1er Cru was beautiful Chardonnay. I don't think quite as good as the 2000 (though, initially I thought better). This is a big, big wine. Loads of limey-minerals, with Asian pears, white peaches, and honeydew melon. A long, long, long finish. Excellent, and showing better than the Leroy Meursault at the moment. The 2003 Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fume Pur Sang rocks! Literally - this is massive minerals (stones) coupled with lemon rind, orange blossom, and white peaches. This is Sauvignon Blanc at its raciest. A long, beautiful finish. This is better than the Silex for now. On to the Red Burgundies... The 1983 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Richebourg was incredible. This wine had significant ullage and we frankly didn't expect much. Wow. We were completely wrong. Could be the best 1983 I've had. So pretty with clove, meat, black earth, and strawberries. A great power-and-elegance combo! Again... great producers make great Burgundy most every year. The 1969 Remoissenet Clos de Vougeot was so pretty. While not at it's peak, this wine still has life. Leather, cedar and game. Still has some tannin to it as well. Very, very pretty Pinot Noir.

That's it for today, but I will try to write more.