Notes from this past week...

Ok... I'll catch up now. 1990 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild (half-bottle) had the most gorgeous nose I've ever smelled from a bottle of Lafite. It was pure beauty - flowers, cedar, graphite, sweet fruits... absolutely outstanding. The 2002 Opus One was full of everything Opus is known for - black licorice, melted chocolate, black plums. Pretty. The 2001 Opus One was more of the same, just less intense. The 1995 Opus One was, frankly, tired and aged. Drink up. The 1996 Opus One from 3-Liter showed signs of promise - starting out as a perfectly mature California Cab blend, but over an hour, the nose faded, and the fruit died. This wine was the best example of Opus I'd ever had. The 2003 Pride Cabernet Sauvignon is slightly more restrained than I'm used to with this vineyard (I will confess to having a nice collection of Mr. Foley's wines in my personal cellar), but it is pure mountain wine - black, sweet, powerful. A long, long finish. Excellent stuff. The 2001 Maison Leroy Saint-Veran was so pretty - a balance of minerals and pears with peaches and apricots. Excellent acidity and an elegance you do not usually see from Saint-Veran, but everything I would expect from Mdme Leroy. The 1999 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Grands Echezeaux is classic DRC. It has not changed much since my last taste through this (classic DRC clove spiciness with red raspberry and wild strawberries and a long, polished finish.)

One of the great wines I've ever had was the 1955 Chateau Haut-Brion - this wine tasted like it was 20 years old - it still has another 40-50 years left in it. Black, sweet fruit with loads of gravel on the back end. Lots of saddle leather. Still powerful with pretty tannins. The 1955 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild was a little tired, but was beautiful. Completely Lafite. Side by side with the 1955 Haut-Brion, this wine was bright red with just a little browing on the rim, but very elegant sweet fruit on the backside. 2003 Dagueneau Pouilly-Fume "Silex" was simpley awesome, as most wines by Didier Dagueneau are. Can Sauvignon get much better than this? All mineral with tropical fruits, this wine (despite the irregularity of the 2003 vintage) was restrained. I'd love to try this from 2002... The 2003 Pride Merlot is wonderful. Cocoa, blackberries and black plums. Who says California Merlot can't be great? The 2000 Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne (half-bottle) was slightly dissapointing. Half bottles are great, when they're good. But for some reason, I've been having a tough time with Burgundies (White and red) in half bottle. This one had a slightly oxidative note to it. Nutty and rich with tropical fruits. The 1999 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage "La Chapelle" was the same as previously. I won't repeat. The 1976 Leroy Pommard Les Arvelets was beautiful and was similar to previous bottles. She rocks.

My parents have been in town - what a great time!!! Last night was a great meal. Very nice wine too... The 2001 Josmeyer Riesling "Le Dragon", Alsace was steely, mineraly and took a little bit to really open up. Lemon rinds, with tropical fruits and pears. A wonderful classic Alsace Riesling. Bone dry. The 2001 Dom. des Pailliers Gigondas drinks so much more like a Chateauneuf-du-Pape with it's elegance and restrained earthiness. A bargain! For desert, I had a glass of the 2001 Domaine des Baumard Quarts-du-Chaume was awesome! A botrytis/honey/caramel nose with elegance and weight on the palate. A great desert! Visits are always too short. Cheers...