BWE at the beach: Krug, Montrose, Gruaud, Bouchard Corton
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 12:13 pm
Found ourselves in Ocean City at the same time Mr. & Mrs. Vino were in Rehoboth, so we decided to get together at my favorite BYO on the beach, Horizons. Corkage had been doubled since our last visit, to all of $10/bottle. I brought a 1996 Krug and a 1989 Montrose.
The 1996 Krug was really singing. Great depth, purity, balance and intensity. Champagne doesn't get much better in my book.
The 1989 Montrose was showing really well. Cassis, red fruits, tobacco, fresh moist earth, full body, great balance, long finish. Still some tannins and a suggestion of more complexity ahead for those patient enough to continue cellaring, but extremely enjoyable now.
I insisted that Jay look at the wine list because no one believes me when I tell them the depth and breadth of the cellar and the prices on older wines that are often below current auction value. According to the manager, Richard, who is into wine and who we always leave a taste for whenever we're in town, the place is owned by an MD-turned-businessman with a real love of wine.
So Jay has a look at the list and orders a 1990 Bouchard Chateau de Beaune Le Corton. I'm not the biggest fan of Burgs but this was drinking very well and Peggy really loved it, but warned me we didn't need any more wine in the house.
When the manager came over to open and decant the Corton (btw the service is fabulous, as is the glassware), I could see that the corkscrew was starting to core out the center of the cork. I had my Durand handy and was able to show Richard how it could handle even the diciest corks. We got to talking about the list and he mentioned that the owner was at the table right behind us. I asked for another stem and brought him a taste of the Montrose, thanking him for maintaining such a great cellar and such affordable prices and corkage. We had a few pleasant words, he introduced me to his wife, and we each returned to our meals.
About 20 minutes later, Richard returns with a bottle of 1995 Gruaud Larose, another decanter, and glasses for all 6 of us, courtesy of the good Doctor. The wine is excellent, with cassis and berries, nice depth, and many years left as the acid and tannin are there to balance the fruit. Nice earthiness but not the type of funk typical of the '80s Gruauds. Kept getting better with time.
We spent the rest of the evening trading stories about favorite wines, restaurants and people. It was a wonderful evening with great wines and even better company, made all the more special by meeting a new wine buddy.
The 1996 Krug was really singing. Great depth, purity, balance and intensity. Champagne doesn't get much better in my book.
The 1989 Montrose was showing really well. Cassis, red fruits, tobacco, fresh moist earth, full body, great balance, long finish. Still some tannins and a suggestion of more complexity ahead for those patient enough to continue cellaring, but extremely enjoyable now.
I insisted that Jay look at the wine list because no one believes me when I tell them the depth and breadth of the cellar and the prices on older wines that are often below current auction value. According to the manager, Richard, who is into wine and who we always leave a taste for whenever we're in town, the place is owned by an MD-turned-businessman with a real love of wine.
So Jay has a look at the list and orders a 1990 Bouchard Chateau de Beaune Le Corton. I'm not the biggest fan of Burgs but this was drinking very well and Peggy really loved it, but warned me we didn't need any more wine in the house.
When the manager came over to open and decant the Corton (btw the service is fabulous, as is the glassware), I could see that the corkscrew was starting to core out the center of the cork. I had my Durand handy and was able to show Richard how it could handle even the diciest corks. We got to talking about the list and he mentioned that the owner was at the table right behind us. I asked for another stem and brought him a taste of the Montrose, thanking him for maintaining such a great cellar and such affordable prices and corkage. We had a few pleasant words, he introduced me to his wife, and we each returned to our meals.
About 20 minutes later, Richard returns with a bottle of 1995 Gruaud Larose, another decanter, and glasses for all 6 of us, courtesy of the good Doctor. The wine is excellent, with cassis and berries, nice depth, and many years left as the acid and tannin are there to balance the fruit. Nice earthiness but not the type of funk typical of the '80s Gruauds. Kept getting better with time.
We spent the rest of the evening trading stories about favorite wines, restaurants and people. It was a wonderful evening with great wines and even better company, made all the more special by meeting a new wine buddy.
