Been a while...

I'm sorry for not writing more often... it's been a very, very busy time... Last night was the 1997 Bollinger Grand Annee - a textbook example of the 1997 vintage (as seen through the eyes of Bollinger). Very steely, knife-like acidity. This wine needs a lot of time to unwind and show its full richness. Great stuff. The 1985 Chateau Latour was beautiful. Classic Latour with a wonderful cedary, pencil lead and black currant nose. Nicely dusty, but not overly so. The 1998 Chateau Pichon Lalande was still tight. Lots and lots of mocha and anise. Very good for the vintage on the left bank. The 2005 Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel was amazing. One of the great zins I've had in a long time. Nothing more than an appellation bottling, the wine had tremendous depth, classic bramble and red berry fruits, with notes one can only describe as the "Ridge Nose". Wow...