Oh my!

[Florida Jim]

2002 Stony Hill, Chardonnay:

Not many producers can have a 50th anniversary wine but this one can; clean, crisp very Chablis-like in structure but clearly CA fruit; a charming wine with a very long cellar life. About 13% alcohol and about $30 retail; I’d pay that again.

1999 Drouhin, Clos de Vougeot:

Well some of the premier cru wines of this vintage may drink well but this was closed-up tight; after several hours in the decanter it was better but it never showed more than making it clear it was Burgundy. Price unknown.

1967 Chateau Margaux:

One for the life list; from a vintage maligned comes the most extraordinary Bordeaux I have ever tasted; rich, powerful, expansive bottle bouquet with immense complexity entices; in the mouth the wine is full, deep, has grip, layer after layer of nuance, perfect balance and sumptuous texture that has both a worsted feel and a satin feel; endless length. Over the course of several hours it continued to change and grow, never losing its complexity but re-emphasizing different elements in the nose and palate; and, after more than four hours in a decanter and our glasses it showed no signs of falling off. 39 and counting. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you win the lottery.

Many thanks, Mark.

Best, Jim

[nhconner]

Jim,

I picked up a bottle of that Stony Hill at Eric's near you and also really enjoyed it. Becky and I went there on our first trip to Napa and have fond memories. When we were there ten years ago they were using the same barrels they had for thirty years in some cases. Hope all is well with you and Diane.

Nate

[DTBarton]

It's interesting that wines from great producers can sometimes transcend bad vintages, like your 1967 Margaux. It helps if they've been stored well.

I had the opportunity to enjoy a couple of bottles of 1973 Petrus from my late father in law's cellar. A totally great wine from a totally undistinguished vintage enjoyed 32 years later.

[ctgm]

Intersting about the Margaux.

DT - I have had both Latour and Lafite (magnum) 1973 recently. The Latour was really quite nice and I think that I still have a bottle somewhere as it is my wife's birthyear. The Lafite was a different kettle of fish - awful, thin, insipid.