Goodies

[Florida Jim]

2001 Dom. Bouchard Père & Fils, Volnay Caillerets, Ancienne Cuvée Carnot:

Brooding and powerful dark fruit, fine tannins, earthy scents and flavors; smoothes and broadens somewhat with air and shows good depth and balance. Needs another 5 years, minimum. Impressive.

2002 Baumard, Savennières:

Texture of light cream; flavors and scents of dried flowers, chamomile, lemon, quince, peach, apricot, mineral water, etc.; fresh, lyrical, complex and fleshy with good depth, acidity and balance; very precise and of its place; endless finish. Stellar juice.

Locally this is about $17/bottle, full retail; it is under priced for what it delivers. I can’t say enough good things about this wine – and it will last and last . . .

2001 Giacosa, Nabbiolo d’Alba:

Roses, black fruits and baker’s chocolate (dark); worsted texture; nowhere near peak and still mouth-wateringly delicious.

Lunch with Sam and Jean:

Hello:

2004 J.P. Droin, Chablis Vadésir:

Tight on the nose and palate but even so, floral, spicy, steely and deep; a wine for the cellar and many, many years of enjoyment. Brilliant!

With sautéed scallops with asparagus and artichoke hearts:

1999 Dom. Jean Chartron (not Chartron et Trebuchet, which is a négociant), Puligny-Montrachet Clos de Cailleret 1er:

A monopole; balanced, correct, citric driven Puligny that is silky, smooth and polished – and, despite its attributes, it lends support to my predilection for fine Chablis over anything from the Côte de Beaune. Not even in the same world as the preceding Vadésir.

With linguini with red clam sauce:

2000 Rocca Albino, Barbaresco Vigneto Brich Ronchi:

Sometimes a nose is just a smell, better is a series of aromas, better still is a bouquet, best is a perfume – the ultimate Barbaresco perfume – a nose for the life list; not up to the nose on the palate but still wonderful with great integration, milk chocolate flavors and textures and a very long finish. What a wine! Excellent with the dish.

Best, Jim