Nice day

Had a killer tasting today... completely nailed 4 of 6, very close on one other, and #6 was very Bretty and uncharacteristic of it's varietal... still, not quite there yet. Also tasted the 2002 Hatton Estate EC2 Chardonnay, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (yes, NZ has gotten onto the subregion/terroir track - but there's a difference - they actually understand how terrior works and are making terrior-driven wines!!!). This is an awesome unoaked, no-malolactic fermentation Chardonnay from gravelly/stony "soil" (there is no soil - rocks to 180m). They don't make much Chardonnay - and they make it "so it's perfect with New Zealand Lobster". This stuff rocks. It's so clean - very crisp with loads of tart Granny Smith Apples, Bosc Pear, and honeydew melon. It has loads of wet stone and is completely New Zealand!!! I have to find some of this!!! Also, the 2000 Hatton Estate "Tahi", Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon (50% new French oak, 50% new American oak), 33% Merlot, and 17% Cabernet Franc. This is awesome stuff. It has dirt!!! It's earth-driven!!! It goes with food!!! It's only 13.5% alcohol!!! This wine should be a lesson to New World winemakers that wine isn't all about power - this wine is so well balanced, and it gives so many layers, two characteristics most of the New World wines completely lack, but in my opinion, are two essential components of great wine!!! If you want to know why New Zealand is going to blow by so many other wanna-be wine countries, it's because of wines like this. Run and get some. Something else I'd like to run and get is the 1996 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is our new Champagne by the glass... goodbye rich, nutty, earthy Krug... Hello Comtes de Champagne!!! The nose on this champagne is without question the most complex and elegant of any champagne I've ever tasted. While it dies a little bit on the palate, this is intense and powerful stuff - as BdB should be. I love it and I can't wait to taste more of it!!!