The drive up from CT for Mary and me was quite eventful, and may have left Mary mildly traumatized. Some of you may have seen the weather forecasts for New England, with a bomb cyclone event moving up the coast during the day. We left home in Mary's Prius before 10am for a 4hr max drive in what started out as light rain. I was predicting that we would arrive in Poland just as the rain changed to snow but the two of us were at odds as to which car to take. I wanted the great gas mileage and Mary wanted us to use the Subaru with all wheel drive.
Once we were on Interstate 84, there was a fair amount of wind blown mist but I've driven in much worse. However, we only got 5 miles or so when the red triangle of death came on. It happened as we approached Exit 68, so I immediately got off the highway and we drove home on surface roads without further drama. Everything we had packed was quickly transferred to the Outback and we resumed our trip an hour behind schedule.
We were still on course to arrive near 2pm according to WAZE. Traffic was moderate and not hard to maintain a safe space for good visibility. As we continued inland the rain was changing over to snow, with some slush accumulating on non traveled surfaces. We got almost to our I-95 exit at Gray, ME and decided to make a quick pit stop at the last service plaza. The parking lot driveway was already slick for walking as we went inside. Coming back out to our car, we noticed some commotion and looked toward the highway. An SUV was parked facing the wrong way and at least two other cars were stopped nearby. Driving carefully toward the highway entrance it became apparent the white SUV had spun out and made hard contact in several places. That was one of the most fortunate pit stops I've ever taken. We were able to continue in a long single file line at reduced speed the last few miles on I-95. The drive from Gray to Poland was taken with great care and we arrived by 2:30.
I had Charley pour everyone a glass of the Dame de Montrose right away to go with Allison's cheese platter appetizer. (One of Allison's cheeses recently won a gold medal at a national competition in Wisconsin) I re-decanted both the '14 Conseillante and the '15 Talbot to drink with dinner alongside the headlining 1982 Chateau Talbot.
My notes were written this morning almost 2 days afterward.
- 1982 Château Talbot - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien (3/12/2022)
Oh my. This was a great bottle. I place this among the small number of very special wines I've been privileged to experience in the past few years.
Double decanted in the morning before a long drive to our destination. Served from bottle with dinner of grilled swordfish, roasted potatoes, and baby greens.
Dinner was fine, but entirely forgettable in the light of this wine. My eyes rolled back in my head after the first swallow. Each sip after that kept me in heaven thru the entire dinner. I was fully intoxicated even before the alcohol reached my veins.
A day and a half later, writing this note, my knees still get week just thinking about it. (98 pts.) - 2014 Château La Conseillante - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol (3/12/2022)
Double decanted ahead of a 5 hour travel to our destination, then splash decanted shortly before consuming with dinner.
Full bodied, youthful, well balanced and showing great poise.
This has a great future ahead. (94 pts.) - 2015 Château Talbot - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien (3/12/2022)
Double decanted ahead of a 5 hour drive to our dinner destination, then poured into a decanter for table service.
It was open for business quickly, showing great Talbot typicity.
Very enjoyable now and I think when the polish wears off a wonderful patina will develop. (93 pts.) - 2010 La Dame de Montrose - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe (3/12/2022)
Double decanted ahead of traveling 5 hours to our dinner destination.
Served from bottle, Opened up quickly in the glass.
Very enjoyable now. Plenty of life ahead.
