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I have (gulp) even more, but will try to keep to one - unless friends descend on the house tomorrow.
BTW, Al, if you pop the Pomerol, I'd be interested in some remarks on that one. There are a few remaining at the local medicine cabinet (liquor store).
I will look for a 2016 Bordeaux tonight! I hope I can find one.
Well - I am in a bit of a quandary - I have numerous 2015 (such as 2912 Chatuau de Bechaud Sait Emilion and 2015 Cheval Noir Saint Emilion) and older Bordeaux wines and a 2016 Denner Mother of Exiles, which is California bordeaux.
I think I will try the 2 mentioned with Sallie and Bob.
Oh a 2016 Bechaud would do quite nicely, although I see you have the 2012(?), which would be nice right now. You could also try Puy Blanquet for St.-Emilion - probably close to the same price and good value. Anyway, you won't have any trouble finding a Merlot-dominant wine somewhere - if in Fronsac, Cotes de Bordeaux or some other Rive Droite local...
Kathleen - which 2 mentioned with Sallie and Bob?
Moving right along... I tried another 2016 on Sunday, having a glass with a friend of long-standing (who seemed a bit lost that we were moving, truth be told, but he has suffered some adversity of late). The wine was a minor property in Fronsac called Tour Bel-Air, and this was their grand vin named "Tradition". For the price, a wonderful, completely mature 100% Merlot Bordeaux, and very Bordeaux it was. If obtainable, it probably retails for about 20 dollars US. And yes, that is a steal for the quality. I have a review, but let's keep it simple and just say 3.5 cups+ (88-89)
I'm getting excited about tonight. We will be grilling some steaks and Lynn is bringing appetizers. Perfect weather out here too. I rode my Fatboy over to the dealer for servicing (leaving it overnight) and Sandra gave me a ride back home. She's a good woman.
Well, I for one think this vintage is something to be excited about. Only bad luck should result in major disappointment, I think. See you all in about 3 hours.
Am in a little bit of a dilemma here. Not some, but all, of my current stock of 2016's are at the early stage and my drinking labels say 2020-2021 at the earliest. Several are of the 2022-2023 a a few are 2025's and beyond.
So I have to figure out which one I want to sacrifice. Interesting quandary.
Here is our 1st bottle for the night. We should have 1 from Kathleen and friends Chet & Diana will be bring 1 additional to sample. This is a Left bank Bordeaux in the Northern most appellation in the Medoc and usually grapes are harvested later in the season.
Very interesting choice. I like this wine, but have never drank it so young. Your notes will be interesting. Wish I was there.
Rick is coming over I've got to decide soon.
So - this will be mine - we regress after and do a 2015.
The 2016 Chateau de La Dauphine
This not a classified growth estate. a Grand Vin de Bordeaux instead - very solid producer.
Great choices. They will be powerful and tannic in many cases (Cf. Lillian Ladouys, or la Dauphine) but should be OK with proper decanting or with a prudent application of such a device known to y'all as a Vinturi aerator. I, too, had problems deciding what to drink on the basis of some suggestions about "optimal" drinking years, but I found that much of this is actually bunkum, to use a word favoured by one H. L. Mencken.
My choice - Latour-Martillac (Pessac-Leognan Cru Classe en 1955, yes 1955, not 1855!) is suggested as a possible tipple 2020 and beyond, but upon opening this beast, I think it is approachable now only to those who like young, somewhat brutish wines. I opened it around 2:45 local time, and tasted it around 3:00, leaving it for another 30 minutes, and then... presto! - the development we all want.
Review coming soon (within the half-hour)...
I've opened our two bottles and they are decanting as I type. Lynn should be over any minute as she arrives early - a habit among engineers.
2016 Château Vieux Maillet Pomerol and 2016 Château Hourtin-Ducasse Haut-Médoc
Hey Sally / Bob - What dish should we bring this Friday to the Cab / Chardonnay wine party at your house?
I think that is only for some engineers. One of our "engineers" is probably not coming now because she worked late in Bethesda and is fighting traffic!
So what dish to bring on Friday?
Nice pics. now mine... review to follow in a few minutes, fates willing.
This wine shows deep, black cherry in the glass with excellent viscosity on the rim; bouquet is a fine admixture of blackberry (mure), cedar and bright, sweet cherry. Entry is densely packed with grainy red and black fruit such as blackberry but topped with herbs such as dill or facsimile thereof. The finish suggests vanilla-oak and cherry-blackberry, but soft and already quite integrated. A fine wine which, if drunk now, needs a full hour decanting 4 Cups, or 92.
Another Left bank Bordeaux for our second tasting brought by Chet.
Let the tasting begin!
I had to go to Total Wine the other day in order to pick up something that was eligible:
More nice choices, IMHO The left bank will present more pucker, in general, but some - in my very recent experience, no less, seem pretty nice right now. The Haut-Bergey is going to need some air, but should be rich and luscious. I have had many in the past, and feel it is a great buy for the price, the prices rise being steadily upward, notwithstanding. Regarding the Margaux (Mark), I have actually never had this, so comments are anticipated!
Lynn has arrived with another bottle. I ran out of decanters so her bottle has been opened but not poured out yet.
Regarding the 2016 Château Vieux Maillet Pomerol, we get black cherry, leather, toast.
Here is Lynn’s left-bank bottle:
Just another quick remark: the Pessac-Leognan sub-region of Graves (which is indeed left bank, but usually just thought of as Graves, being further south and not part of the communes to the north, which were essentially drained marshland created by Dutch engineers during the 17th Century). These wines are the best value for money of any demarcated region in the world.
Rick is slightly delayed - looking at 6:30 our time.
Well, the Latour is opening up perfectly - supporting my slightly ironic take on aging a few posts back. This is definitely a wine of pedigree, and highly recommended. I'll bet the Haut-Bergey is somewhat similar...
A stupid question for all to ponder. We're a great vintage in the 2016, but we've neglected the very good 2015. Cart before the horse?
Well. if by "more pucker" you mean detectable acid, then I agree.
Since my California prejudice is well known, you will forgive me if my report compares this wine to a California Cabernet Sauvignon.
Surprisingly translucent in the glass--much more red than blue. Somewhat funky nose--sulfur, I'm sure which will blow off in a few minutes.
Red berry fruit on the tip of the tongue--as opposed to the black fruit that I normally find in a California example. As I mentioned, there is noticeable acid. Again, my enjoyment of acidic red wines has been posited. It gives this wine a youthful, "drink me now" character.