2002 Sociando Mallet spare the musings

[Houndsong]

Exceeding expectations. Still primary flavors but this has loosened and deepened considerably from its primeval conch-like state and is very enjoyable. Lots of mint in the nose repeated in the palate. Big wine, but very Bordeaux. Nice acidic/tannic spine. For whatever reason this evokes weathered barn wood and I don't know why but it is appealing in this context. I bought around eight of these after trying one in an 02 sampler. Had I had this in mind I would have gone soo deep at what I think was a $19 or $23 dollar price. This wine in this vintage needn't take a back seat to any other vintage. I really needed something very Bordeaux and this is delivering.

[stefan]

Reminder to self: Unpack some '02s. Thanks, Hound.

[JimHow]

Thanks for the report, hound, I bought a case of this, I really liked this wonderful wine with its green-in-a-positive way notes. At least, that's how I recall it back when I had several bottles early on. But then again, I'm a 2002 left bank whore.

[stefan]

Then again, you could leave off the "2002 left bank", Jim.

stefan, looking for 24 hours BWE free

[JimHow]

Zachy's had a 20% off sale last week, the 2002 Lagrange was reduced down to $35, I was about to buy a case but then the sale ended.

Are they planning any more 20%-off sales PD?

[robert goulet]

Jim

2004 Lagrange for $39 here. Any good?
other notables
04' Pontet at $49
04' Ducru at $75

I've had some decent luck with this vintage.

Any thoughts on these wines?

[JimHow]

I personally liked the 2004 Lagrange, Robert Goulet, but I'm not sure that is a universal sentiment here on BWE.
We had the 2004 Pontet-Canet with Alfred Tesseron himself at a BWE dinner in NYC a few years ago and it was very well received.
I bought a case as a result.
I don't think I've had the '04 Ducru but that's not a bad price at least these days for a wine that rarely disappoints....

I don't know if I ever told you, but I am supposedly a distant cousin of Robert Goulet....

Robert Goulet and Lewiston, Maine, have a famous (or perhaps infamous is the better term) connection, can anyone guess what it is?

[stefan]

Probably you are referring to when Goulet sang the Star Spangled Banner at the Clay-Liston fight. He did not know all the words.

Wasn't Goulet's mom from Lewiston?

[JimHow]

That is indeed the case, he forgot the words at the Clay-Liston fight.
I was not aware his mother was from Lewiston but it is very possible.
He is supposedly related to me on my mother's side.

[JimHow]

Hmmm, I just googled that, and you are right, his mother Jeannette was from Lewiston.

[stefan]

Re: '02s. All the talk about them on BWE convinced me to have the '02 Pape Clement and '02 Trotanoy tonight (preceded by a mag of '96 Delamotte Mesnil and followed by a '90 Suduiraut if anyone wants to drink dessert).

[jal]

Curious to hear about the 2002 Pape Clement, Stefan. Keep us updated.