BDX in the 916
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 8:47 pm
WilliamP summoned a few of the local cadres over the weekend, to partake in Bordeaux and beef. Everything was kind of jumbled up in our household, so I ended up bringing minion #2 over, and imbibing modestly. Still it was great to see everyone, taste some old wines, look at new crafts/projects, and perhaps say good bye to a faithful four legged friend.
Lots of great food: cheese and bread platters, sousvide/grilled prime rib with horseradish, Hasselback potatoes, green beans and mushrooms, and then berries with ice cream to close. Complex older wines are often better with primal, fresh flavors.
We started with
1980 Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon 'Proprietor's Reserve' [Dry Creek Valley] This has been held since release and was from the era back when this producer actually had estate vineyards and made fine wine. Some might remember there 'Marlstone' bottling. Now after much corporate machinations, its just a big bottom shelf brand, from anonymous grapes. But this was lively, tasty showing red fruit and berry flavors. This was generally a 'regular' quality vintage in the North Coast.
1996 Pape Clement [Pessac Leognan] These are some of the last wines made before this estate started making bigger more powerful wines under Bernard Magrez. Medium weight, and very smooth. Maybe 1998 is the last before the volume was turned up? I do like both styles, but they're a little different. (It kind of reminded me of the 1996 Smith Haut Lafitte which was also quite different from the latter rouge at this estate) It's been a while since I have had anything from here. For those who might not know, wine has been made from these same vineyards since the 1300s.
1996 Lagrange [St Julien] Another reliable stalwart. This is fruity, minty, eucalyptus with layers of complexity now. Suntory makes such a consistent bottling here, and with good availability.
2006 l'Arrosee [St Emilion] This estate is now defunct, having had its vineyards rolled up into 'Quintus', along with Tertre Daugay and Grand Pontet. This used to be known for a finesse styled St Emilion in the 80's and 90's, but by this time, after some style changes - big bottle, oak, more volume - it is a more typical modern St Emilion. Still at this age the oak is soaked up, and the higher acid levels are ok. Still it won't make anyone forget their 1985 or 1990.
A bottle of the 2003 Leoville Poyferre was TCA affected unfortunately. I returned back to the 916 area right about the time our hosts got a new puppy. Here's she is now at age 13...how the time has flown by! I look at bottles laid down decades ago, and dogs whose muzzles have now turned white, and wonder where did the years go. It seems like it was just yesterday.
Thanks for the dinner and hosting!
Lots of great food: cheese and bread platters, sousvide/grilled prime rib with horseradish, Hasselback potatoes, green beans and mushrooms, and then berries with ice cream to close. Complex older wines are often better with primal, fresh flavors.
We started with
1980 Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon 'Proprietor's Reserve' [Dry Creek Valley] This has been held since release and was from the era back when this producer actually had estate vineyards and made fine wine. Some might remember there 'Marlstone' bottling. Now after much corporate machinations, its just a big bottom shelf brand, from anonymous grapes. But this was lively, tasty showing red fruit and berry flavors. This was generally a 'regular' quality vintage in the North Coast.
1996 Pape Clement [Pessac Leognan] These are some of the last wines made before this estate started making bigger more powerful wines under Bernard Magrez. Medium weight, and very smooth. Maybe 1998 is the last before the volume was turned up? I do like both styles, but they're a little different. (It kind of reminded me of the 1996 Smith Haut Lafitte which was also quite different from the latter rouge at this estate) It's been a while since I have had anything from here. For those who might not know, wine has been made from these same vineyards since the 1300s.
1996 Lagrange [St Julien] Another reliable stalwart. This is fruity, minty, eucalyptus with layers of complexity now. Suntory makes such a consistent bottling here, and with good availability.
2006 l'Arrosee [St Emilion] This estate is now defunct, having had its vineyards rolled up into 'Quintus', along with Tertre Daugay and Grand Pontet. This used to be known for a finesse styled St Emilion in the 80's and 90's, but by this time, after some style changes - big bottle, oak, more volume - it is a more typical modern St Emilion. Still at this age the oak is soaked up, and the higher acid levels are ok. Still it won't make anyone forget their 1985 or 1990.
A bottle of the 2003 Leoville Poyferre was TCA affected unfortunately. I returned back to the 916 area right about the time our hosts got a new puppy. Here's she is now at age 13...how the time has flown by! I look at bottles laid down decades ago, and dogs whose muzzles have now turned white, and wonder where did the years go. It seems like it was just yesterday.
Thanks for the dinner and hosting!