Saturday, January 29, 2011

Wine Musings Vol#103


A New Year means back at it for Wine Musings. The interim has seen amazing wines, great tastings and trips to Bordeaux. Thus rejuvenated, we review some recent gems:

Wine of Merit: **** Chateau Lynch Bages, Pauillac, Bordeaux, 1998: Just lovely. Initially showing strong elements of tobacco, graphite, cedar, dark fruit and freshly turned topsoil. Black fruit and minerals on the palate, with lots of grip and depth front to back. Fine, grainy finish. Evolving but in no fear of waning in any way, shape or form. A winner.

***++ Robert Ampeau, Volnay Santenots, 1er Cru, Burgundy, 1993: I love the Ampeau family and their philosophy on wine. While this vintage might suggest that this wine spent a long time in my cellar, the truth is it actually spent more time in theirs. No wine is released until deemed ready...and this was only deemed ready a few years ago. Well...it is ready! Just a wonderful wine...singing in full voice right now with no signs of faltering at all. Barnyard, spring flowers and a lovely Dijon mustard element accompany Bing cherries and clove. A trace of something coppery. Hard to express how alluring this melange really is. Full yet lithe on the palate with good acidity. Seamless, front to back with pleasing depth and definition and a long lasting finish. Love it.

***++ Joseph Phelps, Insignia, Napa Valley, 1994: I always find that older Insignias improve quite a bit over time and this is no exception. Juicy plum, leather, grilled meats and that distinctive mint. With time the mint becomes more pronounced, chocolate and soy notes are added. Air really helps this wine come into focus, adding violets and black fruit on the nose, the same and minerals on the flattering, open-for-business palate. Finish is fine and long. This wine offers full enjoyment, no excuses or explanations required. It should be fine for another 5+ years.