1998 Domaine du Pegau CdP Cuvee Laurence has been uncorked

[JimHow]

Thought I'd kick off the BWE Harry Karis Cheateauneuf du Pape month in style!

[HarryKaris]

Now thats what I call a good kick off Jim.................

[dstgolf]

Wow! That should be a spectacular kick-off. Enjoy. Wish that I could share.

Danny

[JimHow]

I haven't touched it yet. Just poured into the Riedel decanter.

[JimHow]

Wow this complex wine keeps building layer by layer in the glass, still cool from the cold cellar after 45 minutes. Lots of spices here, this is promising to be a real eye-opener, Harry!

[JimHow]

I think we need to get Nic/MC/Simone rounded up and head out your way sometime for a wine weekend, Danny, I've never been out in your neck of the woods but have always wanted to visit.

[JimHow]

This wine is stunning.

[JimHow]

Getting an earthiness here, this beauty is layered, complex, no interference whatsoever from the 14.5% alcohol level. This wine should be tremendous with the ribeye being readied for the grill....

And then, of course, we will see whether it stands up to the Maine whoopie pie test!

[JimHow]

Absolutely seamless, great breed, light on its feet for a wine of such complexity.
Okay, let's get those steaks on the grill....

[JimHow]

The thing that I love about the nose on this wine is that it is not big or overwhelming, but oh so classy. Elegant. The earthiness of this wine I'm finding so appealing.
Trying to drag myself away from the glass to get out to the Weber grill!

[JimHow]

Great balance on the palate, no rough edges, spice, pepper, flowers, earthiness, a panoply of flavors and sensations. Maroon/ruby colored.

[JimHow]

Coming attractions....
1998 Pegau CdP Cuvee Laurence and Maine Whoopie Pie....

[JimHow]

This wine has been seamless from beginning to end. It integrates the 14.5% alcohol effortlessly. Outstanding balance. It has tremendous complexity, finishing with black cherry and tobacco, wood and spice. This is a real eye-popper for me, Harry, I realize they're not all going to be this good, but I sure loved this wine! With the whoopie pie it was chocolate and cream mixing with cherries and an appealing underlying earthiness throughout. I can't believe I had only this one bottle in my cellar. I loved this spectacular wine! Rating: 96 points.

[JimHow]

We're listening to jazz. There's still about an eighth of a bottle left. Now the wine has developed a finish that is stunning.

[JimHow]

Not once during the course of this evening did it occur to me that the alcohol intruded in any way. The hallmark of this wine is balance. That seducing earthiness is taking over now with the final drops. Wow! An outstanding performance.

[Chasse-Spleen]

Nice to see where this wine is at basically the 10 year mark. Apparently, it's a major success. Sounds great!
-Chasse

[HarryKaris]

Great notes Jim. THX......some think the 'regular' 1998 Pegau Reservee is even better.....

Hary

[dstgolf]

Spectacular wine. Had this last year in Florida and I couldn't have said it any better Jim.

Any time you or any other BWE'ers want to see Canada's Nation Capital for off-line or other,the invitation is always open.

Danny

[Nicklasss]

This seem really good.

I remember the 2001 we had this summer with Sdr/Kathy and friends. It was a great wine. I really liked the dark berries character. It was a complex wine, that will deliver better goods in 5-10 more years. Concentration was impressive but not too much.

Nic

[Jay Winton]

A wine I've always wanted to try

[JimHow]

I almost brought this bottle to Miami last year for the Friday night dinner, Jay, but I brought a Cote Rotie something-or-other instead. I really wish I had more than this one bottle of this wine, it was a great wine.