Last night I had the pleasure of being welcomed back to New York from France with something incredibly rare- from France. A few friends came to Rothmann’s for dinner with a bottle or three to wash down a porterhouse. The first two wines were classic left bank Bordeaux,  ’82 Talbot and ’88 Leoville Las Cases.

Both wines from St.-Julien showed well, the Talbot at or very close to it’s peak with cedar and tobacco and still a bit of cherry on the finish. Drink it now. Followed by the Leoville Las Cases, seeming like a wine half it’s age rich and opulent, black fruit, cedar, mint, minerality and well integrated oak. I would wait on this for awhile. One of the best examples of ’88  on the left bank from the best producer in St.-Julien.

After they had finished the steak, they moved outside to investigate the half bottle that had been chilling on ice behind the bar. We sat out on 54th street as the cement heat and humidity had become bearable after ten o’clock.  I poured four glasses of the Jean-Louis Grippat Hermitage Vin de Paille Blanc 1995, Apricot, cinnamon toast, candied orange peel, cardamon and almond butter on the nose, acidity highlighting the fruit and balance on the palate.  Long finish and gorgeous power and balance from a well kept bottle of a stellar vintage in the Northern Rhone Valley.  I would assume this is 100% Marsanne since this is what was contained in their vineyards…  I was told that 200 half bottles were produced of this wine in the 1995 vintage, although I have seen a quote that “900 half bottles are produced for us, en famille” in reference to the wine in question, not the 1995 vintage-  it is conceivable that the production would differ from vintage to vintage.

Winery:  Quilceda Creek

Vintage: 2000, 2001

Region: Colombia Valley, WA

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

Average Price: $115

Tasting Notes and thoughts:

I had the chance to drink these legendary wines, at a great friends house in Yountville Ca. Tasting consecutive vintages of the same wine is always an experience I find fascinating. There is much you can learn about a vineyard and/or winery by comparing similar and dissimilar characters in a wine year after year. I went into this tasting with high expectations for these wines from Washington State that have been made so famous by their large Scores in a few top wine publications. I have to say that after actually trying these wines they are quite special and worthy of the worlds attention.

2000 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon:

The nose shows ripe yet reserved aromas of Black berry preserves, fig, dark plumbs and a captivating sweet vanilla cream component.  More dark fruit preserves show on the palate but are quickly paired with mouthwatering pepper and cooking spice which develop into a round and complex finish reminiscent of many First Growth Bordeaux I have recently tasted.  A polished and honest wine this effort deserves fantastic cheer.

2001 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon:

Right off the bat I notice a huge difference in the 2001 Cabernet. This wine appears more powerful and obnoxious on the nose with intense aromas of black current  macerated black cherry and blueberry. There is an obvious soft vanilla note I remember picking up in the 2000 Cabernet, obviously the oak program has not changed much in a year. The palate is a bit more serious and restrained but still packs a juicy and powerful punch. Length and depth combined with pure intensity of fruit are what this wine is all about. People who enjoy the more jammy fruit forward type of wines will drool all over this one and rightfully so.

Rating: 2000 4.5 tastevins (special occasion wine, sit down wine)

2001 4 tastevins  (special occasion wine, sit down wine)

Winery: Marc Colin

Vintage: 2004

Appellation: Santenay

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Winemaker: Marc Colin

Average Price: $ 36 .00

Tasting notes: This a really interesting and delicious wine. Starting with its light and clear ruby color and a tiny bit of shininess. The nose tends to be complex after being open for a while. All those fruit (mostly black) scents coming right to your nose, as blackberry, ripped black cherry and cranberry. There is also a inch of oak balancing the nose and once you bring this wine to your palate it’s an explosion of flavours. Medium tannin and medium body, this wine is balanced. A rustic style to it, with a lot of fruits flavours (which are the same as the nose), but I think the earthiness of this wine and its high acidity make it simply beautiful and delicious. And even better because its length a little while too.

Food Pairing suggestions: As I said this wine is having a high acidity and is a bit earthy, which is something great when it comes to pair wine with food. My suggestion for dinner to accompany this Santenay will certainly start with a chilled green asparagus salad prepared with some extra virgin olive oil and mustard dressing. I would follow by a “Coq au Vin” (long time braised chicken in a red wine sauce with some aromatic onions and bacon) served with some grilled vegetables. And for the gourmet the best part: the dessert – I would finish this dinner with a creme brulee – as simple as that but still delicious.

This is a really good wine,  authentic wine, a Sit-down Bottle .