Bottles opened in absentia
- Racer Chris
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Bottles opened in absentia
For those of us who would like to be at the BWE '19 convention but could not attend, post your tributory bottle openings here.
Tonight I picked the 2012 Haut Bergey, one of the BD's fav's.
Tonight I picked the 2012 Haut Bergey, one of the BD's fav's.
- Bordhead2000
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Re: Bottles opened in absentia
I did a 2007 Chateau Malartic Lagraviere Blanc. It had strong mineral, herbal, and almost medicinal aromas and flavors. Very Graves-y. Of course, I loved it. Decanted it while the wife and I shared the bottle.
Bordhead2000
https://fresneaux.com/
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Re: Bottles opened in absentia
Alas, I was at home too sitting comfortably in front of the TV watching some NCAA semifinal action with a few Lawson’s Sip of Sunshine, though, I can definitely tell you exactly where I would rather have been!
- Racer Chris
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Re: Bottles opened in absentia
Last night for my "Anything but Bordeaux" dinner I opened a 2015 Ramos Pinto Douro Tinto - Duas Quintas. Medium full bodied, youthful, red fruited, smooth tannins. I found it easy to drink before dinner and it went nicely with my cheeseburger and French fries. A pleasure to drink, and a bargain at $15.
- Racer Chris
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Re: Bottles opened in absentia
For Saturday night I picked out my oldest (earliest purchase), and most ready to drink bottle, and from a vintage ending in 9:
The 2009 Chateau Larrivet Haut Brion. I have better 2009s but nothing I'd open anytime soon, or for dinner at home.
The accompanying dinner was homemade pizza - 1) asparagus & prosciutto with olive oil, garlic, red pepper and mozzarella, and 2) potato/bacon/broccoli with sundried tomato, sour cream and cheddar cheese.
I opened a bottle of this a year and a half ago and this one was consistent in character, showing minimal evolution in that time.
Somewhat like a mid level California cabernet versus a Pessac-Leognan. Enjoyable but not showing much complexity. I would say better to lay down for a few more years.
The pizza was excellent, and better than the wine last night.
The 2009 Chateau Larrivet Haut Brion. I have better 2009s but nothing I'd open anytime soon, or for dinner at home.
The accompanying dinner was homemade pizza - 1) asparagus & prosciutto with olive oil, garlic, red pepper and mozzarella, and 2) potato/bacon/broccoli with sundried tomato, sour cream and cheddar cheese.
I opened a bottle of this a year and a half ago and this one was consistent in character, showing minimal evolution in that time.
Somewhat like a mid level California cabernet versus a Pessac-Leognan. Enjoyable but not showing much complexity. I would say better to lay down for a few more years.
The pizza was excellent, and better than the wine last night.
Re: Bottles opened in absentia
Well done. You were with us there in spirit!
- Bordhead2000
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Re: Bottles opened in absentia
Hi Racer Chris,Racer Chris wrote:For Saturday night I picked out...The 2009 Chateau Larrivet Haut Brion. I have better 2009s...I opened a bottle of this a year and a half ago and this one was consistent in character, showing minimal evolution in that time.
... Enjoyable but not showing much complexity. I would say better to lay down for a few more years.
The pizza was excellent, and better than the wine last night.
Unbelievably, I opened this exact same wine on Saturday night and poured into a glass for a quick nose/taste. I didn't like the nose at first. It seemed ripe, like the grapes may have been on the vine for a little too long. It wasn't raisin-y, but I was concerned. The first sip brought mild acidity, plenty of sweetness, and a nice spicy note in the finish. I decided to decant it for a couple hours before going back to the well. When I came back, the nose had evolved into something truly pleasing: pencil shavings, graphite, deep dark berries. The taste had evolved as well, though it faded again after another hour. The wine became thin and not impressive. Perhaps I decanted it for too long, or perhaps it would have evolved again. You mentioned laying it down for a few more years. I'm not sure that would help...but there is only one way to find out
Bordhead2000
https://fresneaux.com/
https://fresneaux.com/
- JimHow
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Re: Bottles opened in absentia
Well done, BH. Hey I notice you took down your blog site, feel free to put it back up.
I'm convinced your legit!
I'm convinced your legit!
- Bordhead2000
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Re: Bottles opened in absentia
Thank you Jim! I appreciate you!JimHow wrote:Well done, BH. Hey I notice you took down your blog site, feel free to put it back up.
I'm convinced your legit!
Bordhead2000
https://fresneaux.com/
https://fresneaux.com/
- JimHow
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Re: Bottles opened in absentia
Thanks for your participation on BWE, I enjoy your enthusiasm!
Re: Bottles opened in absentia
Good idea! Not planned - I had a 2015 PLL and a 2007 Travaglini Gattinara Riserva Saturday.
The Pichon Lalande has settled in very nicely, and it has noticeably calmed down from the first bottles opened a year ago. I detected quite ripe fruit when opened a year ago (I was a little concerned tbh), but you're already getting a better sense of the graphite, pencil, violets, refreshing acidity to balance, etc. after a year in the cellar. This is going to be really good in time, albeit in a riper style than the 80s-90s. Will need the customary 15+ before the secondary shows and it is truly in the drinking window, but I like to try the first of my allotment as they age and before they shut down. Still very enjoyable as a baby.
The Gattinara was lovely - very elegant style, a strong notch in quality above a Langhe nebbiolo, without the power and alcohol of a Barolo from the same vintage.
I've been lurking long enough at this point - I think I am going to jump in and try to make the Convention next year! Schedule should be much better for me in 2020 as well.
The Pichon Lalande has settled in very nicely, and it has noticeably calmed down from the first bottles opened a year ago. I detected quite ripe fruit when opened a year ago (I was a little concerned tbh), but you're already getting a better sense of the graphite, pencil, violets, refreshing acidity to balance, etc. after a year in the cellar. This is going to be really good in time, albeit in a riper style than the 80s-90s. Will need the customary 15+ before the secondary shows and it is truly in the drinking window, but I like to try the first of my allotment as they age and before they shut down. Still very enjoyable as a baby.
The Gattinara was lovely - very elegant style, a strong notch in quality above a Langhe nebbiolo, without the power and alcohol of a Barolo from the same vintage.
I've been lurking long enough at this point - I think I am going to jump in and try to make the Convention next year! Schedule should be much better for me in 2020 as well.
- JimHow
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Re: Bottles opened in absentia
We'd love to have you, tiesface!
It's a very friendly group.
It's a very friendly group.
Re: Bottles opened in absentia
Thanks, Jim. I greatly appreciate the openness and welcoming nature of the group.JimHow wrote:We'd love to have you, tiesface!
It's a very friendly group.
I don't have many 80s and 90s backfills in the cellar anymore (I'm a young guy - 32!), but I have a ton of 2014s-2016s to contribute as science experiments, if they're wanted.
- robert goulet
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Re: Bottles opened in absentia
2016 Chateau Carmarsac....yes I'm a cheap bastard but this is great stuff for the tariff
Re: Bottles opened in absentia
Tiesface, I was 32 when I joined BWE as well!
- Racer Chris
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Re: Bottles opened in absentia
I was surprised by how much I liked the 2015, and the 2016 may be even better.robert goulet wrote:2016 Chateau Carmarsac....yes I'm a cheap bastard but this is great stuff for the tariff
- JimHow
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Re: Bottles opened in absentia
Sounds good to me, tiesface, you know you are preaching to the choir!Thanks, Jim. I greatly appreciate the openness and welcoming nature of the group.
I don't have many 80s and 90s backfills in the cellar anymore (I'm a young guy - 32!), but I have a ton of 2014s-2016s to contribute as science experiments, if they're wanted.
Re: Bottles opened in absentia
Awesome! And great to hear. I’m really looking forward to getting more involved.Blanquito wrote:Tiesface, I was 32 when I joined BWE as well!
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