TN: Updates

[Florida Jim]

2000 Belle Pente, Pinot Noir Estate Reserve:

A wine I have not much cared for in the past; quite different this evening with the beginnings of bottle bouquet; a fairly straight-forward nose; a very complete and pretty profile in the mouth with attractive balance and good intensity, darkly fruited; long, tangy finish. So much better than its early years it’s hard to believe it’s the same wine. This has a life ahead of it but it has entered a very attractive phase.

1999 Chevillon, Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Vaucrains:

Plums, flowers, mineral water and cured meat on the nose; much the same on the palate with some cherry and earthy accents added, evident structure and a meaty, mouth-coating texture, remarkable concentration and intensity; stunning length. Becomes more and more integrated as it sits in the glass. This could be ponderous if it wasn’t for the brightness and savory/earthy character of the flavors – two bottles of flavor in one bottle of wine.

“And miles to go before it sleeps . . .”

2000 Raveneau, Chablis Butteaux:

From a bottle opened two nights ago and then stoppered and put in the fridge; not as big and inaccessible as when we put it in the fridge but not especially generous; as Diane says “a nice white wine;” some Chablis character, no oak or butter, good density but all-in-all, rather forgettable. Raveneau is sort of like gambling – sometimes they are winners beyond words, often not.

2000 Chateau Cantelys, Pessac-Léognan:

Unmistakably Bordeaux on the nose; likewise in the mouth with a beautiful earthy note amid ripe but restrained cabernet (blend) fruit, structured, elegant, complex and perfectly balanced; good length; 13% alcohol and maybe my favorite cabernet based wine this year. Smoothes with air and takes on greater dimension. $20, on release.

Best, Jim