I an attempt to get folks together that I knew in London I thought it only appropriate to do a tasting of 2000 Bordeaux. Since the UK drinks more of it than anyone and, at least, some us had taken the Chunnel train over to France for the day just to shop for wine it seemed like the perfect excuse to see what was going on with one of those vintages of the century. While all exhibited similar flavor profiles of a Charlton Heston film, firm and ready to shoot the gameness out it, we definitely had favorites in the bunch. While the group in general, had trouble identifying the pencil lead character in some of the wines it did not detract from the overall enjoyment. So, any thoughts from the group?
1. Chateau Haut-Brisson St. Emilion Grand Cru - the first and the favorite of the bunch.
2. Chateau La Mouth du Barry - the most purple of the bunch and possibly the most concentrated.
3. Château Terrey-Gros-Cailloux Saint-Julien Cru Bourgeios
4. Château Beau-Site St.-Estèphe
5. Château de Fonbel St. Emilion Grand Cru - Certainly had the most earthy and barn yard character
6. Kirkland Signature St. Emilion Grand Cru - The surprise of the evening. Well integrated between the earthiness and plum fruit.
7. Château Angelique de Monbousquet - the lightest and should be drunk now which the others could go on for years.
Dinner consisted of a pureed cumin infused white bean soup, duck with while mushrooms and fig sauce for the meat eaters while others had a butternut squash ratatouille, and finished with a chocolate moose cake.
1 comment:
Lovely evening. . .wonderful food. . .interesting wine adventure.
My only regret is that the Ch. Haut-Brisson happened to be the first selection. It was a most pleasant re-introduction to a wine variety I typically avoid in favor of less-subtle, more familiar ones I know much more about.
Trouble was, after our first bottle, each subsequent selection became something of a disappoinment. How I wish the first were last, so that we could have ended on an even higher note. Of course, by time we hit the sixth bottle, our deadened taste sense might not have recognized the Haut Brisson for being quite as good as it is.
At any rate, I also enjoyed the Ch. Beau-Site St.-Estephe, perhaps largely because it was a turnaround from the second and third selections, which I found uninteresting. Too much leather, barnyard, and composted humus for my sensitive taste buds!
As a loyal Costco patron, my big surprise of the evening came with the Kirkland St. Emilion Grand Cru. At last a time to savor some fruit along with the barnyard offerings. Time to petition Annapolis to sanction wine sales in Maryland outlets other than liquor stores!
Thanks for expanding our wine horizons!
Post a Comment