Bordeaux 2009/2010: “An Embarrassment of Riches"

By Dan Rhodes

The Santa Monica home of wine impresario Martin Weiner recently provided those lucky enough to snag a ticket the rare opportunity to taste and evaluate, side-by-side, several of these two monumental vintage’s top productions. Monsieur Weiner and his gracious wife generously provided all with a night to remember. The evening chez Weiner included not only a line-up of fabulous wines but also a lifetime of memories in conjunction with a superb home-cooked repas, copious amounts of laughter and a gala joie de vivre which extended throughout the evening and was readily enjoyed by all in attendance.

One can imagine that tastings of this sort will provide enjoyable and provocative conversation for decades to come as Bordeaux aficionados and wine collectors of all ilk debate the relative merits of the legendary wines derived from these back-to-back championship seasons. Both vintages showed well and both had their adherents with some participants preferring the opulent fruit richness and velvety plush textures of 2009 while others opted for the more structured, linear and classically configured 2010s. By the end of the evening, both vintages had impressed, persuaded and conquered!

I found it personally interesting and revealing that my preferences vis-à-vis 2009 and 2010 varied with each flight. Upon reflection, I surmised that the strengths of each vintage flattered each commune in a different way providing some with a bit more power and fortitude while granting others an overall sense of grace and finesse. Clearly, this is a tasting paradigm that can be used as an informative vehicle to not only accentuate the marked differences between 2009 and 2010 but also to compare and contrast the vinous identities of each commune as engendered by the subtle differences of terroir which define both the Médoc and the Right Bank.

What follows are some of my thoughts and impressions (no scores) with regards to this incredible, star-studded line-up!

Château Pontet Canet (Pauillac)

The 2009 impressed immediately via its opulent palate of sundry black fruits accented admirably with classic Pauillac nuances of graphite, lead pencil and creosote. Very 2009 --- the wine’s polished tannins and plush, velvety texture referenced the proverbial “iron fist in the velvet glove” and made friends quickly. The 2010 Pontet Canet was quite the opposite: reticent, shy and very linear. With a bit of coaxing, an assemblage of sundry red fruits eventually emerged for the palate along with the instantly recognizable and classic Pauillac nose.  Many at our table preferred the 2010. I personally preferred the 2009, at least in the moment. My guess is that 2010 will wine the race in the long term with 2009 being more of a sprinter. What Tesseron has accomplished at Pontet Canet is truly remarkable in that the wine is classified 5eme Cru Classé. Yet I can’t help but note, as did several others, that wines from Pontet Canet are starting to taste slightly contrived --- almost Napa-like in terms of the overall fruit richness and palate textures that are delivered. It will be interesting to monitor the evolution of this estate over the near future.

Château Leoville Poyferré (St. Julien)

I have always been fascinated by Leoville’s troika of Las Cases, Barton and Poyferré. All   three estates capture the best of what St. Julien can offer yet in such completely different ways. To me, they are like a family of sisters each with her own unique and individualized style:  Las Cases --- the oldest sister, the grand dame if you will with the most savoir-faire who knew how to marry well, Barton --- the practical and independently-minded middle sister who went off and got a business degree and then there’s Poyferré --- the youngest sister who simply enjoyed driving around in sports cars, playing tennis and hanging out poolside at the country club.

Leoville Poyferré has always been, in my estimation, a whimsical wine. Some are great, some not so great and many have been in-between. Recently, however, Poyferré has finally settled down a bit to embrace a high-quality level of consistency. The 2009 and 2010 productions from Leoville Poyferré are, to my mind, the best ever from this property. Both vintages showed really well chez Weiner with our table basically evenly split between the two.

Once again, I preferred the 2009. The wine’s luxurious and creamy textures are simply beguiling and speak to the classic accessibility and well-honed richness which wines from St. Julien typically offer. Both the 2009 and 2010 capture the magical essence of St. Julien terroir in conjunction with savory red currant/mixed cherry fruits. The 2010, as one would imagine, proffers a bit more structure and austerity which should not be thought of pejoratively. I would describe the 2009 as a bit more juicy. But in the end, it’s a quibble over straws as both wines deliver spectacular quality. There are no bad choices here!

Château Palmer (Margaux)

I must confess to being a long-time devotée of Château Palmer. Consistency issues aside, it should be duly noted that when Palmer is “on”, there is nothing else like it. I therefore was looking forward with great anticipation to the Palmer flight and watched, almost hypnotically, the distinctive black and gold labeled bottles circle the table as each participant poured their allotment.

Finally the bottles arrived to my setting and as I poured with bated breath, I wondered which vintage would impress the most.  For me, it was 2010! The structure and power enabled by the harvest elevated the wine to the next level of enjoyment; namely to a more intellectual niveau in which nuances of terroir permeated both the bouquet and palate. The 2009 Palmer is a superb wine which is expressive of gorgeously ripe plum/cherry/black cherry fruit. But the 2010 transcends the genre in contributing glorious nuances of sundry floral, spice and nutmeg to the nose along with subtle intricacies to the palate which reference, in pointillist fashion, the difference between a great wine and a great Château Palmer from the commune of Margaux.

Having said all of that, any Bordeaux lover or Palmer aficionado would be happy to own either one (or both) of these spectacular wines. Both will live long as post-modern testimonials to the possibility of perfection.

Château Montrose (St. Estèphe)

Wines from St. Estèphe, Montrose in particular, tend to be more tannic, traditional affairs. So it came as no surprise to me that I preferred the 2009 Montrose to the 2010 --- at least at this point in time. Again, both wines are spectacular but for very different reasons. In comparing (at least by Montrose standards) the sumptuous ripe fruit of 2009 with the structured linearity of 2010, I was struck by the appropriately analogous comparison of a medieval Romanesque cathedral with a columned Greek temple of antiquity. Both are works of art which capture simultaneously our imagination and admiration. Both touch and excite something core in our being. The same may be said of the 2009 vs. 2010 Montrose. The 2009 Montrose is fairly plump, particularly by Montrose standards, in delivering luxurious vectors of sundry black fruits expressive of cherries, plums and currants. This is about as hedonistic as Montrose is going to get. Yet the underlying, clay-driven fundamentals of St. Estèphe terroir shone through brightly and clearly to blunt criticism of the 2009 vintage which I have heard from some concerning “authenticity” issues. The 2010 Montrose is embryonic. At this point in time, its flavor profile is not readily perceptible although one can clearly discern subtle nuances and strands of sundry red fruits, earth and spice. The potential for greatness is obvious! Time will be the ultimate judge concerning the Montrose question. But for now, at least to this palate, 2009 is the clear winner. Let’s meet and taste again in 10 years!

Château l’Evangile (Pomerol)

Finally, a Right Bank wine! And what a flight! For some the flight of the night! I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite. For me, this flight was a flat out, dead-on tie. Both wines spectacular! Pomerol remains one of my favorite communes in Bordeaux and is my decided “go-to” in terms of the Right Bank. The 2010 l’Evangile is a tour de force that verily delivers perfection in providing the imbiber with richness, grace and elegance that’s proportionately measured and balanced in conjunction with all of its components. So harmonious is the wine that it was actually quite difficult to pick-out and discern individual strands of flavor. Each flavor thread is combined skillfully with the next so as to produce a whole which, ultimately, exists in unified fashion as an entity greater than the sum of the parts.

The 2009 l’Evangile, in similar fashion, delivers a near-perfect wine. Pomerol, by its very nature, produces artisinal wines. This extraordinary effort captures the very essence of Pomerol --- its unique identity and singular focus to the Merlot grape. In similar fashion to the 2010, the wine is perfectly proportioned and harmonious with wave after wave of sensuality available to the tongue and palate. The equilibrium, harmony and balance of both the 2009 and 2010 l’Evangile replicates a high-wire act akin to a cirque du soleil production in terms of choreographed intricacy. Neither wine should be missed by any self-respecting Bordeaux aficionado or collector.

Château La Mission Haut Brion (Pessac-Léognan)

For many at our table, this was the most disappointing flight of the night. Not quite sure why. All of us expressed similar anticipatory thoughts regarding both the 2009 and 2010 in terms of their stature as monumental giants of the vintage. Don’t get me wrong; both were quite good but frankly, at least to this palate, neither lived up to their advance billing. After all, RMP scores for these two are 100 and 98+ points respectively. If pressed, I would give a slight nod to the 2010.

The l’Evangile flight was a tough act to follow so perhaps that had an effect on our perception. Of course, one can always discuss and think about bottle variation or improperly stored wines. Most at our table thought the wines to both be a bit over-extracted and slightly “hot” with very little expression of the renowned Pessac terroir. That this notion was in play for both vintages speaks to me of a potential shift in winemaking philosophy away from a more traditional expression of La Mission towards, dare I say the word, a more Parkerized or modern version. Given my long fidelity to La Mission and her wines, I hope this is not the case and look forward anxiously to another test drive. After all, at least to this palate, the appeal of La Mission, specifically, and Pessac wines, in general, is the distinctive expression of a very unique place. It would be a shame for one of the great estates of Bordeaux to turn its back on this singular soil and location.

Château Haut Brion (Pessac- Léognan)

Haut Brion, along with Margaux and Latour, are my three favorite first growths. Just about every vintage, these three take my gold, silver and bronze.  The Haut Brion flight was a grand slam! It was one of the top flights of the night and drew rave reviews from all who partook.  The wines presented themselves in Jungian-like fashion with the 2009 playing the feminine anima to the 2010’s more pronounced masculine animus. Yet both shared a remarkably similar flavor profile incorporating an extraordinary delineation of mixed red and black fruits accented superbly with classic nuances of Pessac terroir, tobacco smoke, tea leaf and carob. I cannot say enough about the consistency of Château Haut Brion. Year-in and year-out this wine outperforms both the parameters of the vintage as well as its price point. Bordeaux collectors and wine lovers in general will be able to enjoy for decades the extraordinary yin-yang of 2009 and 2010 Haut Brion!

Château Mouton Rothschild (Pauillac)

Both the 2009 and 2010 Mouton showed well. To my palate, the 2010 was slightly more impressive in that it incorporated a bit more structure along with a genuine sense of place which I found quite pleasing. Perhaps no other flight delineated as clearly the stylistic differences between these two great vintages. The 2009 Mouton is a sexy wine which utilizes the ripeness engendered by the harvest as a binder for the wine’s creamy cherry vanilla, plush and velvety smooth fruit. Tasty hints of graham cracker, spice and white chocolate are incorporated into the mix to provide additional nuance and complexity.

The 2010 Mouton, as noted above, is a bit more structured with a discernible tannic structure which provides the backbone for the wine’s darker fruit composition of plum, black cherry and dark currants. Hints of cocoa and carob abound which, when combined with the wines superb delineation of Pauillac dirt, provides a luxurious First Growth journey that is completely resplendent of the estate and wholly Mouton in its commitment to excellence. The preference for 2010, at least at our table, was virtually unanimous.

Château Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac)

Lafite does it again! This was one of the top flights of the evening with both wines showing spectacularly well. I would be hard pressed to prefer one over the other but, if pressed, would go (most hesitatingly, I would add!) with the 2010 while retaining a long and lingering look back at the glorious 2009.  Both are magnificent! With wines such as these, it becomes verily impossible to delineate the various flavor strands and individualized components of essence. Suffice it to say, both wines live up to the Lafite reputation for being the most patrician of the Bordeaux First Growth wines. Both wines verily approach an almost unobtainable quality zenith in proffering to the imbiber or collector a rarified vision of regal grandeur which incorporates an artistic expression juxtaposing a true sense of place and a refined winemaking vision while also incorporating the salient characteristics of their relative vintages of origin. Are they expensive and difficult to procure?  Yes, but what price perfection! Bravo Lafite!

SUMMARY

Let’s just call this the shameless, commercial portion of this blog contribution! As an auction house, Spectrum is committed to Bordeaux: the region, the wines and the people. Our staff is extraordinarily knowledgeable about the genre --- both current offerings and older releases. Whether you are a consignor or buyer, imbiber or admirer, collector or aficionado, feel free to contact us here regarding any and all of your Bordeaux needs. You will find us to be friendly, polite and responsible. Our goal is to make your auction experience as pleasant, hassle free and rewarding as we can. We look forward to hearing from you!

Top flights (in no particular order) --- l’Evangile, Haut Brion, Lafite Rothschild, Leoville Poyferré, Palmer

Most disappointing flight --- La Mission Haut Brion

Most difficult flight to assess --- Montrose

2009 vs. 2010 --- Final Score = 2010-4/2009-3/Tie-2 (l’Evangile, Haut Brion)

Thanks once again to Martin Weiner and his LA School of Wine for putting together this spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime event!

La Paulée de San Francisco 2014 --- “Tales of Terroir”

By Dan Rhodes

This year's La Paulée extravaganza took place in San Francisco (March 12-15^th) and once again lived up to its impeccable and stellar reputation once described by The Financial Times as “…the greatest Bacchanalia on the face of the Earth.” Kudos and congratulations to Daniel Johnnes and his hard-working, über-talented staff for putting together and organizing another memorable and superb celebration of France’s Burgundy region and wines!

I was fortunate to attend three of the week-end’s top events; including the Verticals Tasting and the Chablis Seminar as well as the show-stopping Grand Tasting. All three events took place at San Francisco’s venerable Fairmount Hotel which provided an ambience eminently worthy of both the historical legacies and distinguished reputations of the sundry domaines and vignerons who participated. As per usual, Les Chanteurs de Bourgogne serenaded throughout providing all with a petit morceau of France, Burgundy and the La Paulée de Meursault.

The view from the Crown Room of the Fairmount Hotel. A lovely day to drink Burgundy and gaze over SF!

It was with great anticipation and excitement that I entered the Fairmount’s legendary Crown Room on Friday to behold a Burgundian “who’s who” in terms of wines and domaines represented. In conjunction with the captivating experience of the Crown Room’s panoramic views of San Francisco and the Bay Area, this was an event not soon to be forgotten. Anyone who doubts the reality or efficacy of terroir as a relevant and meaningful concept would surely be forced re-think their position after experiencing this tour de force exposition which included so many of the Côte d’Ôr’s most important and memorable vineyard sites.

So many highlights…so little space! The two overriding themes that The Verticals Tasting brought to bear were the dual notions of quality consistency and fidelity to terroir as the event reinforced the famous dictum that great producers make great wines. Many of the so-called “lesser vintages” represented showed quite well within the context of the above and reminded me once again that, as is usually the norm in the Burgundian universe, rushes to judgment are just that. Upon finishing, it was with great pleasure that I enjoyed a victory lap to re-visit some of my favorite tables of the day which, not coincidentally, also happen to be some of my favorite terroirs including:

Chassagne – Montrachet “Grandes Ruchottes” (Bernard Moreau)

I’ve long been a fan of Grandes Ruchottes. It’s one of my “go-to” choices in Chassagne and there are many fine examples out there. The vineyard, to my palate, brings to the imbiber the best of both worlds as it were in delivering the honeyed richness normally associated with Chassagne Montrachet along with sublime nuances of stone and soil that may have a bit more in common with Puligny. Alexandre Moreau chose to pour the 2010, 2008 and 2007 for the event and all were singing. The consistency of each flavor profile was amazing and spoke clearly to the notion of terroir in delivering balanced vectors of ripe stone fruits in conjunction with sublime nuances of hazelnut, walnut, praline and all-spice along with subtle underpinnings

of citrus. I’ve long been a fan of Domaine Bernard Moreau and this superb assemblage only increased my admiration for this stellar estate.

Meursault “Genevrieres” (Comtes Lafon)

Genevrieres is one of my favorite vineyards in Meursault. The other two would be Perrieres and Charmes. All three bring a unique take to the richness of Meursault with both Perrieres and Genevrieres adding typically a more discernible element of focused acidity, rock and terroir. One could easily make the case for elevation to Grand Cru status for any or all of them. But hopefully this won’t occur so as to spare us the inevitable price increase that such events invariably engender. As it is, Genevrieres delivers, for the most part, a Grand Cru experience at a 1er Cru price. And while wines from Comte Lafon are typically somewhat difficult to find in the market place, there are many other fine examples to be had as the vineyard delivers extraordinary consistency across a range of quality producers.

The domaine chose to pour the 2010, 2007 and 2002. All were show stoppers! Starting with the 2002, a crescendo was slowly built which climaxed for me with the other-worldly 2010. The wine captured every possible particle of the vintage and every neutron of terroir in conjunction with the legend himself --- Monsieur Dominique Lafon!

Corton – Charlemagne (Génot-Boulanger)

There is nothing like a profound Corton-Charlemagne! From an historical perspective alone, it’s fascinating to drink a wine from vineyards once owned by this historical medieval personage – Emperor Charlemagne -- who stands as the founding father of both France and Germany.  I tend to prefer more classically-styled interpretations of Corton Charlemagne that emphasize steely minerality and cut as opposed to the fruitier, more Chardonnay-driven versions that tend to be fashioned for the American market and what I tasted here did not disappoint. The domaine did a vertical comparison of 2008, 2009 and 2010. All were superbly crafted and captured uniquely and in a positive manner the salient characteristics of these three very different vintages. I’m not exceedingly familiar with this estate but will be on the look-out in the course of my future travels.

Volnay “Clos des Ducs” (Marquis d’Angerville)

Volnay is undoubtedly one my very favorite communes in Burgundy. Quality consistency in this village is paramount and rarely do the wines disappoint. Having said that, wine from Clos des Ducs stands in a league of its own. Guillame d’Angerville chose to showcase the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Clos des Ducs and all were outstanding. Each captured the stony red cherry/cherry pit fruit so characteristic of this renowned terroir along with the subtle personality differences that each harvest and growing season brought to bear. In that I seldom have the opportunity to enjoy d’Angerville’s Clos des Ducs; this was a rare treat for me which I will relish for quite a long time.

Pommard “Clos des Épenots” (Domaine de Courcel)

On the whole, I’m not a huge fan of Pommard. It’s not one of my “go-to” picks when it comes to Burgundy. I much prefer the regal femininity of Volnay to the muscular masculinity of Pommard. Having said that; if there is one Pommard I have consistently enjoyed throughout my sojourn on the planet, it is Clos des Épenots. For me, Clos des Épenots raises Pommard to a more refined and exquisite niveau of civility. Madame de Courcel herself was pouring the domaine’s 2007, 2009 and 2010 and all were lovely. C’est Pommard trés raffiné!

Chevalier Montrachet (Domaine Bouchard)

The Grand Cru trio of Chevalier, Bâtard and Bienvenues Bâtard Montrachet are always welcome at my table. Each delivers its own unique textural identity and flavor profile. I have always thought of Chevalier as the most noble of the three. Aristocratic enough to carry the name, sometimes perhaps, even to a fault, the strength of Chevalier has always been to my palate the nuance and intricacy that the terroir delivers; particularly with some bottle age. Like a medieval tapestry, the subtle threads of flavor that so characterize this wine are best enjoyed in contemplative fashion in a smaller, more intimate environment.

Bouchard chose to serve the “La Cabotte” from 2010, 2009 and 2006. All were superb! What struck me here was how, moving backwards from youngest to oldest, each successive wine showcased increasing evolution and nuance while retaining the basic core of flavor richness, complexity and cut that is undeniably regal and unmistakably Chevalier Montrachet. This was a most impressive flight!

Chambolle-Musigny “Amoureuses” (Maison Drouhin)

Chambolle Musigny is one of my most beloved appellations in Burgundy and Amoureuses cannot help but compete for a place in my heart as my favorite vineyard in this delightful village. Not that there aren’t many top-notch vineyard sites to look for in Chambolle --- because there are --- but Amoureuses has always held a special place for me. And why not --- the terroir basically delivers Grand Cru quality! Veronique Drouhin-Boss generously poured her 2009, 2002 and 1998 Amoureuses for a most receptive and appreciative audience which included yours truly. All three of the wines captured the glory of Amoureuses as well as the classic Drouhin style. Merci Veronique pour le bon travail!

Bonnes Mares (Hudelot-Baillet)

I must admit to being completely unfamiliar with this domaine. However, upon tasting here I definitely wanted to learn more! Bonnes Mares is a wine that invariably requires patience and judging from the quality of their 2007 which was offered in conjunction with the estate’s 2009 and 2010; this is a property to keep your eye on. Upon doing a bit of internet research, I discovered that the domaine was created in 1981 by Joël Hudelot and his wife Chantal Baillet.  Joël retired in 2004 and passed along the reins to his son-in-law Dominique Le Guen whom I was able to meet the following day at the Grand Tasting.

Interestingly enough, I also discovered that Monsieur Le Guen also works as Frederic Mugnier’s vineyard manager.  In that “Freddy” Mugnier has long held an elevated position in my personal Burgundy hierarchy, it became readily apparent to me the quality at play here likely utilized the same formula: judicious yields and painstaking work in the vineyards along with a minimalist approach in the cuverie. The wines all spoke to me as classically Bonnes Mares but with that extra bit of je ne sais quoi --- let’s call it for now the artistic touch of Monsieur Le Guen --- and a source no less than Christophe Roumier recently opined to describe Dominique Le Guen as “a vigneron to watch.” I’m on board with that!

Clos des Lambrays (Domaine des Lambrays)

To this palate, Clos des Lambrays stands as one of the crown jewels of the Côte d’Ôr. Winemaker Thierry Brouin has done a magnificent job in restoring this historical terroir to its rightful place in the celestial order of the Burgundian firmament. Many years ago I visited the property upon the outset of its current renaissance and can attest to the incremental improvement in the quality of wine emanating from the estate vintage after vintage. Today, Clos des Lambrays stands in the upper echelon of Burgundy’s Grand Cru hierarchy thanks to the tireless commitment to quality and painstaking work of Monsieur Brouin.

Thierry chose to pour the 2003, 2006 and 2010 Lambrays. All three brought to bear that impressive combination of exotic spice, silky red fruit and sophisticated terroir that verily defines both Morey St. Denis and Clos des Lambrays. This was one of the most impressive tables of the event!

Gevrey Chambertin “Mes Favorites” (Alain Burguet)

There is no specific vineyard with the name of Mes Favorites. But the wine, nonetheless, delivers a high quality translation of terroir. This blend combines vineyard parcel holdings from old vines in preferred plots and reflects Alain’s desire to create an excellent Gevrey Chambertin year-in and year-out. To me, Alain stands as one of Burgundy’s unheralded stars and with this wine he annually puts forth a production that is classically “Gevrey” in every sense of the word. The estate chose the stellar trio of 2008, 2009 and 2010 to uphold the superb reputation of Mes Favorites and succeeded once again in demonstrating the ongoing quality of one of Burgundy’s very special wines, places and winemakers.

Gevrey Chambertin “Cherbaudes” (Jean-Marie Fourrier)

A small coterie of devotées was crowded around the Fourrier table as I arrived enjoying a superb trio of wines from Burgundy’s newest superstar: Jean-Marie Fourrier. Domaine Fourrier chose to pour their 2007, 2009 and 2010 to represent one of Gevrey’s lesser known terroirs – Cherbaudes. All three wines captured a richness and complexity that went way beyond that which one normally associates with this vineyard which is located adjacent to the Grand Cru sites of Chapelle and Mazi. The quality at play speaks to Fourrier’s skill in getting the most out of his holdings as the wines combined both elegance and finesse while remaining true to their origins of soil as well as their specific vintage identities.

Clos de Beze (Domaine Faiveley)

As I am more of a Burgundian traditionalist, the Faiveley wines have always appealed to me and I have had the good fortune to know several collectors who buy Faiveley with regularity affording me the opportunity to taste and enjoy cellar-aged versions of many of this domaine’s top wines including Clos de Beze. To me Clos de Beze stands with Griottes, Ruchottes and Le Chambertin foursquare to comprise the ultimate Grand Slam “terroir – team” of Gevrey Chambertin. Not to say that I haven’t had superb wines from Charmes, Mazi and Mazoyeres over the years but the consistency of the above-mentioned puts them in a league of their own.

Beze to me is a broad, forthright Grand Cru and the more classical Faiveley philosophy suits the vineyard well. The Maison chose to pour the troika of 2009, 2010 and 2011 and this triumvirate of power delivered satisfactorily anything and everything one would look for or could desire from Clos de Beze. And while the new regime has softened and modernized the Faiveley style just a bit, these are still wines that stand, philosophically, on the traditional side of the fence and will continue to deliver long-term satisfaction for those so inclined.

Saturday AM, I attended The La Paulée Chablis Seminar led by Jon Bonné of the San Francisco Chronicle. Participants included Veronique Drouhin (Maison Drouhin) and Christian Moreau (Domaine Christian Moreau) along with Didier Seguier of Domaine Fevre and Guillaume Gicqueau-Michel of Domaine Louis Michel. These four names are virtually synonymous with high-quality Chablis and their wines did not disappoint. It was well-worth the early rise! The conversation was both lively and informative encompassing a superb juxtaposition of winemaking philosophy and viticultural/vinicultural insights as well as sundry tidbits of French and Burgundian history. Nothing better than Chablis and croissants for breakfast!

Chablis remains one of Burgundy’s top bargains. Given the quality at play, it’s one of my personal “go-to” faves and holds an ongoing steady place in my Burgundian circle of trust. The Burgundian notion of terroir reaches its apogee here in that no other wine region in the world produces Chardonnay in such a distinctive manner. Many try to imitate but few actually succeed. There is no replicating the unique Kimmeridgian soils and cool climate milieu of Chablis which produces what is arguably the wine world’s most transparent, translucent and transcendent white wine.

Upon finishing the Chablis Seminar, it was a quick hop, skip and a jump to the Fairmount’s Grand Ballroom for one of the overriding events of the week-end: The Grand Tasting. Life is good! This year’s tasting was focused on the 2011 vintage. There were literally hundreds of wines available for edification and the challenge to taste in comprehensive manner was offset nicely and magically enhanced with a superb array of appetizers and petits plats from several of the Bay Area’s finest chefs and restaurants including some of my SF faves --- Boulevard, Pearl and Ash, RN 74 and The Slanted Door.

It’s always hard to draw sweeping conclusions in Burgundy given the multiplicity of domaines and terroirs but from a generalized perspective, I feel 2011 is a somewhat underrated vintage. I would not go so far to characterize it as a “great” vintage (although some winemakers made great wines) but would more comfortably classify it as good/very good. The 2011 reds are a bit lighter than 2010. It’s more of a watercolor affair rather than the thick “oil-on-canvas” identity of 2010. But this should not be seen in a negative light. The fruit is clean and lively with above-average complexity and gorgeous bouquets. In terms of the whites, the vintage delivers a useful cadre of wines which can be readily consumed and successfully aged over the short/mid-term. In short, don’t ignore 2011 Burgundies. Overall, most everyone I spoke with at the Grand Tasting, including both producers and imbibers, were pleased with the quality at hand. I see 2011 as kind of an “insider’s vintage” that will reward with a bit of time in the cellar and patience for those so inclined. “Selectivity” is, for sure, the key word in formulating a purchase strategy for 2011 Burgundy but don’t be afraid to get in the water.

Part of the joy of attending the La Paulée Grand Tasting is the pleasure of running into and catching up with old colleagues and friends which necessarily takes some time away from the main task at hand; namely, tasting wine. Given the constraints of a 3-hour tasting window, focus becomes the key procedural directive. With such an incredible array of wines at hand, it was impossible to taste everything but what follows is a brief rundown of some productions that caught my attention. All are 2011.

Bernard Moreau

Chassagne Montrachet “Vergers” **

Chassagne Montrachet “Maltroie” *

Chassagne Montrachet “Grands Ruchottes” **

Comte Lafon

Volnay “Santenots” *

Meursault “Clos de la Barre” *

Meursault “Charmes” **

Sauzet

Puligny Montrachet “Combettes” *

Chevalier Montrachet **

Génot – Boulanger

Pommard “Clos Blanc” *

Meursault “Boucheres” *

Puligny Montrachet “Folatieres” **

Domaine de Courcel

Pommard “Vaumuriens” *

Pommard “Fremiers” *

Pommard “Grand Clos Epenots” **

Pommard “Rugiens” *

Marquis d’Angerville

Volnay “Fremiets” *

Volnay “Champans” **

Volnay “Taillepieds” **

Volnay “Clos des Ducs” **

Domaine Chanson

Beaune “Clos des Fèves” *

Beaune Clos des Mouches” *

Chassagne Montrachet “Chenevottes” *

Maison Drouhin

Beaune “Clos des Mouches” (Rouge) **

Chassagne Montrachet “Morgeot – Marquis de Laguiche” *

Corton Charlemagne**

Domaine Bouchard

Nuits St. Georges “Les Cailles” *

Beaune “Greves – “Vigne de l’Enfant Jesus” *

Meursault “Genevrieres” *

Corton Charlemagne **

Maison Louis Jadot

Corton Charlemagne *

Domaine Simon Bize

Savigny-les-Beaune “Fournaux” *

Savigny-les-Beaune “Aux Vergelesses” *

Domaine Hudellot-Noëllat

Clos Vougeot *

Romanée St. Vivant **

Domaine Hudelot-Baillet

Chambolle Musigny “VV” *

Chambolle Musigny “Charmes” **

Chambolle Musigny “Cras” **

Bonnes Mares **

Armand Rousseau

Clos de la Roche *

Chambertin **

Domaine Fourrier

Gevrey Chambertin *

Gevrey Chambertin “Cherbaudes” *

Gevrey Chambertin “Combe-aux-Moins” **

Gevrey Chambertin “Clos St. Jacques” **

Domaine des Lambrays

Puligny Montrachet “Folatieres” *

Puligny Montrachet “Clos du Cailleret” *

Clos des Lambrays **

One last thought on 2011 --- upon tasting through the wines I was struck by the following notion --- 25 years ago, 2011 probably would have been an utter failure. Given the vagaries and challenges of both weather and harvest which are reflected in the irregularity of many of the wines 2011 produced, this crop would have been harvested and vinified in such manner as to engender, for the most part, dismal wines of an unpleasant nature --- green, dilute, astringent and thin. That the wines are as successful as they are is a testament to the ongoing embrace of a renewed quality ethos and intellectual renaissance which started in the 1990s and is still taking place throughout the Côte d’Ôr in conjunction with the spirit of a new generation of young vignerons in Burgundy who are not afraid to utilize both tradition and innovation in crafting higher quality wines that reflect the unique grandeur of these hallowed vineyards.

The La Paulée week-end is a special time that creates enough pleasure, joy and memories to last a life time. Each one is singular in combining a unique vintage focus along with the ambience and hospitality of either San Francisco or New York. The La Paulée staff does an incredible job year-in and year-out to provide participants with new and interesting themes for dinners, seminars and tastings. And what would the event be without the vignerons themselves, as well as the many chefs and sommeliers, who donate so much time, energy and good-will to the event in conjunction with their passion for Burgundy and its wines --- all deserve a shout!

Anyone who has a serious interest in or passion for wine as either a collector or imbiber owes it to his or herself to attend this event at least once in their life time. Whether you are an amateur or aficionado, the rewards are abundant and the experience timeless. Next year’s event will be once again in New York. Hope to see you at La Paulée 2015!

Learn About Wine’s Ian Blackburn Does it Again!

By Dan Rhodes

A small group of lucky imbibers were treated to a sumptuous meal and superb array of wines on Saturday, January 4 at Ushuaia, one of LA’s hottest new restaurants, courtesy of Ian Blackburn and his Learn About Wine program. Specializing in Argentine cuisine, Ushuaia was the ideal setting for this event which pitted Cabernet and Meritage-styled wines from the Napa Valley against any number of heavy-hitters from France’s renowned Bordeaux region. It goes without saying that Argentine beef was the perfect foil for this Cabernet extravaganza! The tasting was conducted blind in conjunction with Ian’s succinct presentation which was both informative and well-planned.

Basically, all of the wines poured (with the exception of the 1990 Talbot which was corked) showed well and the home Napa team more than held its own against a bevy of top notch Bordeaux. Nevertheless, to my palate, Bordeaux won the match despite the incredible showing of the 1987 Opus One. For me, this was the wine of the night! In the Cult-Cab era in which we reside today, it’s easy to “pooh-pooh” Opus One as “yesterday’s news” but the reality is such that, in a very real sense, Opus One was the very first Cult Cab dating back to its inception in the late 1970s by Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild.

The 1987 Opus One captured exactly what both of these seminal figures had in mind when embarking upon this historical collaboration: the sophistication, polish and nuance of an Old World wine along with the fruit exuberance and energy of the New World. Upon tasting, I initially felt the wine was from Bordeaux. However, upon re-visiting, the wine’s Napa Valley identity became increasingly apparent and it became clear to me that it was kind of a hybrid --- given the overall superb quality at hand, Opus One was the obvious choice! The wine is a tribute to the genius of Robert Mondavi as well as his ongoing and dedicated commitment to quality. In today’s post-modern era of Napa winemaking --- ultra-ripe fruit, high alcohol percentages and misuse of oak, Opus One stands the test of time and, ironically, is now one of California’s more traditional, old school wines.

Bordeaux’s northernmost commune of St. Éstephe did very well. For my money, the region’s “Big Three” of Calon Segur, Cos d’Estournel and Montrose dominated the second quality tier after the Opus One. All three of these estates are perennial overachievers and are usually available, by the way, at Spectrum Wine Auctions sales at bid prices which are well-below the pleasure/quality quotient which they regularly deliver. It was a three-way run to the finish with all three wines at one point taking the lead. In an upset of sorts, the 1983 Cos d’Estournel won by a nose. As the evening wore on, the wine simply soared exhibiting all of the classic characteristics of great Cos along with the distinctive specificities of terroir that are so readily identifiable as St. Éstephe. I’ve always regarded 1983 to be a much underrated Bordeaux vintage and this wine proved the point. This was a great effort from Bruno Pratts. The 2000 Calon Segur has just entered its prime window of drinkability and will provide an enormous amount of pleasure over the next decade or so. It’s one of the last great wines made under the direction of the late Madame Gasqueton. The 1982 Montrose, while holding the early lead, began to fade as the evening wore on and was ultimately surpassed by both the Cos d’Estournel and Calon Segur. Nevertheless, it delivered a great ride that lives up to the reputation of both the estate and the vintage.

Two honorable mentions are worth nothing: the Rosenthal 2002 Meritage Blend (Malibu Canyon) and Château Lagrange 1996 (St. Julien). Both of these wines delivered superb drinkability at a price point (even today!) well below their actual quality niveau. Should you find either bottle at one of our auction sales, don’t hesitate to press the “bid” button! All in all, a superb evening of food, wine, fun and conversation was enjoyed by all. Thanks again, Ian!

2011 Ports … Land of the Giants!

By: Dan Rhodes

As many wine collectors and aficionados already know, the 2011 vintage has been “declared” in Portugal by many, if not most, of this Iberian nation’s top houses including Fonseca, Taylor Fladgate, Croft and Quinta do Noval. In conjunction with the celebration and promotion of this spectacular Port scenario, I was able to attend a special “sneak –preview” tasting recently in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

This gala event, co-sponsored by the Fladgate Partnership and Quinta do Noval in conjunction with Kobrand and Young’s Market, was a tour de force tasting of the “best-of-the-best” and afforded me the opportunity to not only confirm all of the hype associated with this superlative harvest but also take a small trip down memory lane and explore any number of recent releases and library selections from these renowned estates.

The scene was literally a “who’s-who” of the southern California wine world and trade with well-known critics in attendance  tasting alongside representatives and buyers from many of the Southland’s most prestigious retail shops, restaurants and hotels. Several luminaries from the world of Port were in attendance including David Guimaraens, winemaker for the venerable house of Fonseca.

For Port lovers, the 2011 vintage is both magical and historical. The wines are rich, concentrated and full-bodied with long-lived potential. Yet they are incredibly focused and complex with balanced components capable of providing a refined and elegant port experience for years to come. To use an old expression, they are the quintessential “iron fist in the velvet glove” combining power and finesse.

Most retailers should be offering these high-scoring gems on a pre-arrival basis and I would urge all wine collectors who are serious about a compiling a well-rounded cellar to look into procuring an assorted case or two for future consumption. And while you’re at it, don’t neglect purchasing Ports at auction. They are usually available for a very reasonable bid and offer the sophisticated and wise collector the opportunity to procure one of the wine-auction world’s most under-valued and enjoyable treasures.

Here are some of my notes and highlights from this “once-in-a-lifetime” event:

2011

As described by Adrian Bridge (Fladgate Partnership) and Christian Seely (Quinta do Noval), the 2011 harvest was preceded by a cold, wet winter providing ground water reserves which allowed a balanced ripening of the grapes during the hot, dry summer. This textbook viticultural year, which culminated in perfect picking conditions at harvest time, produced wines which combine wonderful purity and complexity of aroma and flavor underpinned by firm, well-integrated tannins.

Croft

This could, quite possibly, be the best vintage Croft ever! It’s just that good! Soft red and black fruits for the palate redolent of cherry/black cherry with hints of espresso and coffee bean, the 2011 Croft is even-keeled and pleasant with well-integrated components and strong depth of flavor.

Fonseca

Powerful cherry/black cherry fruit for the palate is in keeping with the Fonseca style. Generous streams of plum and loganberry provide additional complexity in conjunction with sublime nuances of red licorice, allspice, coriander and white chocolate. This very sexy port should not to be missed by any self-respecting Port aficionado.

Quinta do Noval

The 2011 Quinta do Noval possesses a bright cherry/berry, maraschino cherry identity for both nose and palate along with an exotic, tropical red fruit, passion fruit character which is most unusual. Hints of brown spice and graham cracker round out the flavor profile for this enjoyable gem which is actually drinking quite well right now.

Quinta do Noval Nacional

This is a very serious effort. Layered, vinous and inordinately complex, the wine displays, even at this embryonic stage, all the characteristics of a classic. Deep, dark flavors of black cherry, plum and blackberry display sundry nuance of fig, anisette and bitter chocolate. It is, using the Bordeaux analogy, a wine of First Growth quality. Think Pauillac/Château Latour.

Quinta da Romaneiro

This is a lighter-styled, fairly forward production that is showing precociously well. Mixed red and black fruits abound nuanced nicely with hints of spice, clove and lavender. This should be available in the market place for a very reasonable price.

Taylor Fladgate

The 2011 Taylor Fladgate is an instant classic! It approaches perfection! Full-on, creamy vectors of dark cherry, blackberry, chocolate cherry fruit assault the palate in conjunction with scintillating hints of toffee, milk chocolate and candied truffles. As if that weren’t enough there are even more subtle nuances of fennel, anisette, espresso and black licorice that provide additional complexity to this tour de force. A must buy!

Taylor Fladgate Vargellas

In terms of quality, the Taylor Fladgate’s Vargellas is sort of a miniature version of the above-noted wine. It combines both a red and black fruit identity. Very even-keeled with a plush pleasing texture, the wine brings a mélange of red cherry, red raspberry and bright plum fruits to bear in conjunction with subtle hints of coriander, red licorice, nutmeg and allspice.

Library Selections and other Current Releases

Where does one start? While the 2011 releases were definitely the stars of the show, each participating estate provided additional bottlings representing library stock or other current release bottlings. Too many wines and so many highlights but here are a few faves that really caught my eye. Many of these are still available in the market.

Croft 2009 

sweet red raspberry, pomegranate and cherry compote fruit, drinks well now.

Fonseca 2009 

Superb wine that still needs time. Powerful blackberry, black cherry fruit abound with 

hints of chocolate fudge brownie, allspice and graham cracker. Complexity galore!

Fonseca 2007 

Another larger than life effort from Fonseca, it’s a bit softer than the 2009 with a more velvety, plush texture. Creamy with nice swirls of red raspberry, boysenberry and crème de cassis fruit.

Quinta do Noval 2007

On the whole, the 2007 vintage showed very well at this event and here’s another example. Drinking quite well, the wine showcased such flambéed fruits as plum and cherry in conjunction with pleasing streams of warm brown spices, nutmeg and pomegranate.

Taylor Fladgate 2007 

Ripe blueberry/blackberry fruit, this powerful Port is classic Taylor Fladgate with its nuanced mélange of  nutmeg, cardamom, coriander, candied cherry, lavender and herbs de Provence. Look for this in the market place! It’s worth the effort!

Quinta da Romaneira 2004

Very successful for the vintage. Robust, harder-styled texture that combines any number of black fruit flavors. Perfect for that late night bit of chocolate while watching TV.

Fonseca 2003 

Very ripe, very 2003! Very seductive texture that unites luxurious flavors of blackberry, plum, loganberry and black cherry along with regal swirls of brown sugar, cinnamon and cocoa. Drinking wonderfully right now!

Quinta do Noval 2003 

Another very ripe 2003 that’s quite appealing in the moment, the wine combines seductive dollops of ripe plum and sweet cherry fruit with hints of baker’s/bitter chocolate. Wonderful juxtaposition of flavor and texture that’s quite attractive.

Quinta do Noval Nacional 2003 

Just has that little bit of extra flavor complexity and dimension for which Nacional is known. This is a sublime effort, one of the top wines of the show and while purists may perhaps find the fruit a bit too ripe, there’s no denying the attraction of its layered red and black fruit identity which highlights plum, black cherry and wild berry fruit along with pleasing hints of truffles and terroir.

Taylor Fladgate 2003 

Filled to the brim with ripe fruit richness, the 2003 Taylor Fladgate still retains a nice backbone of well-honed acidity which functions as the spine of this fruit cornucopia that combines red fruits galore in conjunction with hints of brown sugar, maple and cinnamon. The wine’s finish is seemingly endless which bodes well for additional cellaring. This deceivingly complex effort defined one of the show’s top wines and, while drinking well now, it has a nice long life ahead of it for those so inclined.

Le Cercle Rive Droite…A Right Bank Extravaganza!

By Dan Rhodes

I recently had the great pleasure to attend a superb tasting and master class seminar in Beverly Hills at the Peninsula Hotel. Led by master impresario Robin Kelley O’Connor in conjunction with Dr. Alain Reynaud of Le Cercle Rive Droite and Ian Blackburn of Learn About Wine, a small but avid group of us were treated to an incredibly informative and interesting tour down such Right Bank “roads less travelled” as Lalande de Pomerol, Fronsac, Côtes de Castillon and Côtes de Bordeaux along with many of the lesser known and under-appreciated satellite appellations of St. Émilion.

The seminar was meticulously organized and impeccably presented. It was divided into three parts. The first part, accompanied by a representative flight of wines, focused on the various terroir of these sundry AOCs. While we, unfortunately, did not get to taste Château Petrus, the estate is a relevant landmark in any discussion of Right Bank terroir in that it holds a significant spot atop a prominent plateau in Pomerol from which emanate, in concentric circle fashion, the various soil types and terroirs of the region.  There is a great variety of soil composition here ranging from the noble blue clay of Petrus through to the limestone, gravel and sandier alluvial soil gradients which contribute so greatly to the stylistic differences of each and every one of the wines made at these, for the most part, family-owned and operated properties.

Cabernet Franc, in particular, does well throughout these appellations along with, of course, the noble Merlot grape which comprises the largest percentage, en cepage, of Right Bank wines.

The second part of the seminar focused on vintage. Dr. Alain Reynaud and Robin Kelley O’Connor spoke at great length and delivered a superb presentation. Their vintage overview summarized general weather conditions and patterns as well as the many other climatic anomalies which contributed to the overall quality and flavor/texture characteristics of each and every one of these harvests. Dr. Reynaud and Mr. O’Connor pulled no punches and to their credit honestly and empirically looked at every vintage from 2000-2012 in forthright manner correctly categorizing them in a proper qualitative hierarchy. At the end of this lecture, we looked at a flight of wines representing practically each and every one of these harvests with the goal of picking up and understanding the most salient characteristics of each. This included one separate flight, done blind, which gave us all the chance to utilize our newly acquired knowledge to try to identify the vintages of the various wines poured.

After lunch, the third part of the seminar took place in which all of the individual winemakers had the opportunity to present and pour their wines for members of the trade, press and general public. With this, the triad was completed. Each of the three sides of the vinous triangle had now been properly presented: terroir, vintage and winemaker. The equation was balanced. Some highlights are noted below.

In conjunction with this superbly managed and skillfully presented event, I would like to give a special shout out to Ian Blackburn of Learn about Wine and his dedicated staff who poured wines skillfully and in a non-obtrusive manner enabling all to glean so much knowledge and wine expertise from this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Le Cercle Rive Droite Tasting…Highlight wines and scores

In conjunction with the seminar, all of the participating estates took part in a comprehensive tasting showcasing their current en primeur releases from the 2012 vintage as well as selections from the back-to-back championship seasons of 2009/2010. Listed below are some of my favorites from two superlative vintages. Most of these are still present in the market place and are worth seeking out. I am sure they are, for the most part, available at reasonable price. Many thanks to all of the vignerons who participated in this event while generously donating both of their time and wine.

A brief word or two on 2012 --- this is a very nice Right Bank vintage given the strength of the early ripening Merlot grape. Many of the wines I tasted were sinfully delicious with sublime nuances of sundry red and black fruits. The wines are clean and precocious. Nevertheless, they have solid short/mid-term ageing potential. In short, 2012 should not be ignored.

The bigger question at hand is the pricing policy and ongoing attitude of the Bordelais. As Mr. Parker recently pointed out, the region is at the crossroads. En primeur pricing is no longer sustainable at the current niveau. The history of Bordeaux is replete with “boom and bust” cycles dating back to the 18^th and 19^th centuries. We are clearly in a transitional phase with broad market implications for everyone in the trade.

Will the Bordelais act in a proactive manner and adjust their strategy to re-recognize the relevance of their historical and traditional markets in the US and UK or will they, in reactive fashion, continue to attempt to ride the Asian dragon despite the strong evidence of an imminent market correction? Only time will tell…

A Small List of Favorites

Château de Laussac 2009 (Côtes de Castillon)

Château La Dauphine 2010 (Fronsac)

Château Moulin Haut Laroque 2010 (Fronsac)

Château Villars 2010 (Fronsac)

Château Clos de Clocher 2010 (Pomerol)

Château Fayat 2010 (Pomerol)

Château Le Moulin 2009 (Pomerol)

Château Siurac 2009 (Lalande de Pomerol)

Château Boutisse 2010 (St. Emilion)

Château Grand Corbin Manuel 2009 (St. Emilion)

Château Magrez Fombrauge 2010 (St. Emilion)

Château Le Pressac 2010 (St. Emilion)

Château Rol Valentin 2009 (St. Emilion)

Château Fombrauge 2010 (St. Emilion)

Château Le Prieuré 2010 (St. Emilion)

Château Courlat 2010 “Jean-Baptiste” (Lussac- St Emilion)

Château La Rose Perriere 2009 (Lussac – St. Emilion)

The Glory of Aged Rioja

By Dan Rhodes

I recently had the good fortune to snag an invite to a very special library tasting event from Rioja’s renowned CVNE winery. Guest speaker Jesus de Madrazo Mateo of CVNE led us all down a glorious path of historical delights. This vinous extravaganza focused on a treasure trove of many previously unreleased Gran Reserva wines from the CVNE Imperial and Vina Real portfolios.

Jesus de Madrazo Mateo of CVNE

All were enthralled at the quality brought to bear and it prompted many to comment on just how undervalued aged Rioja can be. Given the unprecedented surge in en primeur pricing from Bordeaux for the 2009 and 2010 vintages, the value-conscious wine shopper/collector should definitely be looking towards Rioja as an alternative.

We tasted any number of great wines but the following stood out to this palate:

CVNE 1999 Imperial Gran Reserva (From magnum)

Bordeaux-like in the mouth. Magnificent juxtaposition of sweet black cherry, blackberry and crème de cassis fruit. A real treat. Refined and elegant. First Growth quality at a fraction of the cost.

CVNE 1999 Vina Real Gran Reserva

Jesus de Madrazo Mateo of CVNE

More Rhône-like ---10% Grenache which definitely influences the flavor profile. Sweeter, jammier red fruits than the above. Jesus talked about 2 flavor profiles for the CVNE wines. One emphasizes ripe fruits (blueberries and cassis) while the other emphasizes terroir (fennel and herbs). This is definitely in the second camp. Hints of clove and herbs de Provence.

CVNE 1988Vina Real Gran Reserva

Earthy black fruit flavors, flambéed fruits. Hints of truffles, sous bois, forest berries, herbs and leaves. Delightful nuance of graham cracker and black peppercorn throughout. Extraordinary complexity. Showcases the Burgundian side of Rioja.

CVNE 1976 Imperial Gran Reserva

Very warm, soft fruit. Flambéed, baked cherry. Subtle hints of clove and spice. Very sensual wine. Reminds of very well-done and properly aged Bordeaux.

CVNE 1973 Vina Real Gran Reserva

Enticing nose of sweet tobacco, pipe tobacco. Gorgeous cherry/black cherry fruit with hints of coriander, spice box, clove and nutmeg. Very Burgundian again. Meditative finish of nougat, caramel and toffee is the pièce de resistance.

The well-rounded and astute collector would do well to reserve a small section in his or her cellar for wines such as these from one of the world’s greatest red wine regions: Rioja.

A few of our retail CVNE selections:
CVNE Cune Imperial Gran Reserva 2001 / CVNE Cune Gran Reserva 2005 / CVNE Cune Imperial Reserva 2005

Bordeaux: A Tour d’Appellation

By Dan Rhodes

Shady Canyon Golf Club in Irvine (http://www.shadycanyongolfclub.com) was the recent locale for a spectacular Bordeaux dinner jointly organized and hosted by Raphael Tuch, Clubhouse Manager, Dominique Briaire, Head Chef and yours truly, Dan Rhodes, Consignment Director and Wine Specialist here at Spectrum.

Chef Dominique Briaire put together for attendees what can only be described as a culinary tour de force. The wines were paired perfectly and the evening unfolded as if scripted for a classic Jean Renoir film.

The theme was to pair wines from each of the major Bordeaux communes with an appropriate food course so as to recognize and highlight the differences that each of these renowned wine regions bring to bear. We started with a 1953 Cheval Blanc (St. Emilion) and a 1990 l’Evangile (Pomerol) for the exquisite first course of Filet of John Dory. The fish was sautéed to perfection and paired perfectly with the softer Merlot fruit that the wines brought to bear.

The Cheval Blanc was superb! 1953, undoubtedly the greatest vintage of the 1950s, brought all of its glory to bear. The wine was vibrant, still youthful with extraordinary color of dark plum and brick red. Port-like and exceedingly flavorful, its beguiling complexity and vivacity was a joy for all to behold. It was a tough act to follow but the l’Evangile more than held its own and whispered promises of future greatness.

Our second course consisted of roasted squab accompanied by a triumvirate of greatness which included Margaux 1978 (Margaux), Beychevelle 1989 (St. Julien) and d’Armailhac 1999 (Pauillac). The cognac grape sauce composed by Chef Briaire for this dish was especially noteworthy and magnificently uplifting in enabling all of the wines to spread their wings to show off their breed and colorful fruit complexity. The 1978 Margaux, the first produced under the leadership of the Mentzelopoulos family, was a classic. Old school in every way, we now know the wine was a harbinger of the great things to come under the dedicated leadership of Corinne Mentzelopoulos. The 1989 Château Beychevelle has always been one of my favorite Bordeaux wines and it did not disappoint. Lastly, from the underrated 1999 vintage, came d’Armailhac which, for many guests, was the top wine of the flight.

The pièce de resistance was the beef tenderloin bordelaise which was the centerpiece of the third wine flight which consisted of the fuller-bodied Lafon Rochet 1995 (St. Estephe) and the Domaine de Chevalier 1998 (Péssac-Leognan). Chef Briaire matched the wines to the dish perfectly. The earthier aspects of St. Estephe and Pessac-Léognan played well against the beef which was offset nicely with lyonnaise potatoes and sautéed spinach. Both wines soared in conjunction with the dish and spoke to the distinctive terroir of their respective regions.

We finished the evening with small aperitif of Suduiraut 1998 (Sauternes) which complemented well the fresh fruit Pavlova of peaches and apricot coulis.

All in all, a splendid time was had by all. Once again, our heartfelt thanks to Raphael Tuch and his very professional staff who provided us with impeccable wine service and attention throughout the evening.