I haven't been to Bordeaux in 15 years. And for much of this period, my affection for Bordeaux was undermined by the emergence of the "super-modern" Bordeaux Chateau, equipped with reverse osmosis machines and thousands of new oak barrels, producing overextracted 14-15% alc. wines at shock...

Bordeaux QPR: La Vielle Cure. Balanced, authentic Bordeaux without the flash. The 2001 drinking extremely well now, bottles at Zachys for around $35, maybe less. General QPR - White: Domaine Herbauges Clos de la Fine Muscadet; scooped up a case of this on sale for around $11 per bottle. Pristine, cl...

Jim,

Bummer that you're not running for Congress. I was really looking forward to helping your team. You had/have a brilliant strategy pegged down, but perhaps it's best to wait another term until things change a bit more. It all happens for a reason, right?

Best,

Jackdaw

It was great seeing you and Pappa, Jim and Jacques and Jill. J&J put on a sumptuous feast. the whole baked rockfish and veal chops were awesome! I think your take on the wines is spot on. There was another bottle, and Italian, but I didn't get the info from the label. Hi David; it was a Parusso...

It was great breaking bread with Jim and DavidG after so many years. Clearly, the red wine consumption is keeping them young and healthy. It was great (but scary) seeing Sara (JAL's daughter) as an 18-year old who already has her choice of top colleges to go to. Seems like it was but 2 years ago tha...

Tasted through a bunch of 2008s and 2009s last week at an in-store tasting at Zachys. 2008 winners: Clos Fourtet (more balance than the 2009), Pape Clement, Pichon Baron, La Gaffeliere, and Cheval Blanc. Doubt, however, whether the Cheval Blanc is really worth the price of entry. The 2009s: Wow. Exc...

Tasted some inexpensive, recent-vintage Bordeaux. The Fonbadet is quite nice, and I think it sells for around $35 a bottle. Not amazing, of course, but worth having a bottle or two around if you like Bordeaux. Chateau Fonbadet Pauilliac Cru Bourgeois Superieur 2008: Showcasing a sublime texture, the...

Nicklasss wrote:But Jackdaw, at the restaurant, you have to hide yourself to pour your 1989 Chateau Lynch Bages... I know what I'm talking about as I had a special mission with agent How there, and we had to bring bottle in a backpack, pour that Sauzet Puligny in the glass hidden under the table...

Nic

LOL!!

Bar Harbor, Maine, in late May? Great food, great natural surroundings.

Thanks for the notes. Bummer about that La Lagune. Usually shows its terroir in great vintages, especially in the 1980s.

Jim: I like the 2000 Malescot; ripe tannins and physiologically ripe fruit without being heavy; good punch and fine fruit character without being sweet (although the wood is almost sweet). I'm thinking this could be like the '75 Lascombes, and you'll see more Margaux appelation character in about 10...

hm$: that's exactly what we're doing today. (I had to prepare an order, however, per the orders and judgments clerk and submit that to the judge for approval of the payment directly in to the Court's Registry; without the Judge's order permitting payment in this manner, we'd have to post a bond.

Thank you!!! Much appreciated. Hope you're well. Best, John

To Jim and any other lawyer on the site: So, I won a motion for a Temporary Restraining Order in Federal Court (Southern District of New York) today for a rather rather rather large client that you've all heard of. Cool. But now, I have to post a "security bond" in the amount of $2,000. Ne...

Tenuta San Guido Le Difese 2009: Deep ruby. Gorgeous aromas of black cherries, blackberries, freshly turned soil, and briary shrubs, with a hint of iodine and fresh basil. On the palate, the wine is absolutely sensational: it exhibits an intense vinosity, a "wineness" that speaks of the qu...

Werner,

Sorry, meant to post in this thread and ended up posting in another. Looking forward to the east coast play date with the kids. ; )

Best,

John

Jim: I'm in total agreement re: 1998 Pavie; it's a great wine, shows its terroir, has lots of fruit, and is a bundle of fun to drink. From 2000-2005, I find the oak to be a bit much for my tastes. I haven't had any 2000 Pavie or subsequent vintage of Pavie in quite a while, so maybe things have sett...

Popped and decanted a bottle of Chateau Angelus 1998 that I brought to a recent Zachys Auction lunch. Interesting that the wine, which had been "pop and pour" ready only a few years ago, is now showing signs that it really needs a few more years in the cellar. Any remaining baby fat that w...

Jim, Nic, and DavidG: Great to hear from you too. I hope you and your families are well. Nic, congrats on everything. Carolina is now 6.5 years old, and our son Owen turns 3 in July.

Best regards,

John

I drink Sauternes because they are rich in flavor, decadent in mouthfeel, sweet on the finish, and make me very happy. It's like a warmer, still version of Champagne in terms of the happiness-generation factor. But Sauternes barely get much love these days by the public or press, and that's a shame....