Mucho vino

[Florida Jim]

1995 Dom. Henri Perrot-Minot, Gevrey-Chambertin:

Ahhhhh, Burgundy! Lovely aromatics – floating above the vineyard aromatics – with black fruit, spice and Gevrey earth aromas; medium bodied, masculine structure but deep fruit, good concentration, complexity and balance; and, a long, layered finish. Perfect with salmon cakes and darn good by itself. An eleven year old village wine that is at peak.

With a wild mushroom and pasta gratin:

2001 Texier, Côte- Rôtie VV:

More about syrah than about the place but still moderately complex and fruit forward. A delicious and interesting wine . . . until I opened . . .

1996 Allemand, Cornas Reynard:

Starts out with a compost nose and lots of layers but morphs into smoked bacon, light olive and big black fruit; the palate is bright, very concentrated, hugely complex and so distinctive as to be unmistakably Allemand, Cornas; long, very complex finish. A simple truth – if you want something at my house, bring this wine. As good a wine as I have in my cellar and utterly unique.

At a blind tasting of meritage wines; brief impressions:

2002 Soos Creek, Meritage (WA): High toned cherry, slight stemminess, light oak; forward and candied in the mouth with some structure but, overall, a simple wine.

1999 Chat. Carbonneaux (sp?)(Graves): Reticent nose, some earth; closed, tannic, green?

2002 Ridge, Santa Cruz Mtn.: Balanced, clean, black fruit, oaky, licorice.

1999 Lail Vinyds.: Light nose, slightly stemmy; much better on the palate with full flavors, tannic and balanced.

1995 Chat. Margaux: (decanted for ten hours) Light red fruit with some earth and herb tones; smooth, silky, full, firm, tannic, but what a texture – thrilling!

1998 Cyrus: Oaky, dilly and sour; not Alexander Valley’s best effort.

1999 Terra Bianca, Onyx (WA): Stemmy, cinnamon nose; smooth with underbrush tones but ultimately short.

1994 Ravenswood, Pickberry: A little sour on the nose with old wood and solid fruit; complex palate; somewhat drying.

1999 Robt. Craig, Affinity: candied, young, oaky – Napa.

1998 Justin, Isosceles: Perfumed, silky, smoky, nice; very balanced and giving.

1997 BV, Tapestry: Oaky, hugely tannic, nothing interesting.

1989 Chat. Meyney: Sour, fishy nose; thin palate.

Best, Jim

[Brad Ballinger]

1989 Chat. Meyney: Sour, fishy nose; thin palate.

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Hmmmm. I haven't had this in a long time. Wasn't this supposed to be one of those sleepers? I think this was THE vintage for Meyney.

[Florida Jim]

1989 Chat. Meyney: Sour, fishy nose; thin palate.

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Hmmmm. I haven't had this in a long time. Wasn't this supposed to be one of those sleepers? I think this was THE vintage for Meyney.

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Brad,

Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to taste this with food; who knows how it would have shown?

I am all but over blind tastings. I have heard the arguments in their favor and I'm not buying it. If it wasn't for the fact that the group that made up this tasting were all friends of mine, I would not have attended.

For me, wine with food is the only way.

Best, Jim