In preparation for Open That Bottle Night (live, only on Palate Press; Saturday, February 26 from 7 pm - 10 pm EST), contributor Tom Johnson shares some thoughts on the bottle he plans to open for the event. Our two sons-read more-
One of the younger 2003 Bordeaux tried in the last few months, this Graves neighbor of first-growth Chateau Haut-Brion, under the same ownership since 1983, might be one of the few 03s to keep the promise of long life expected-read more-
This under $30 Syrah was probably not intended to sleep in the cellar until 2010, but it awakened with surprising maturity and complexity. A wine described as "lavishly oaked" two or three years ago is now balanced, aromatic, and flat-out-read more-
Like several for the moderately-priced bottles of '03 Bordeaux I have opened recently, this is coming to life, perhaps even peaking now. A year ago it was dead, but now it is showing a pleasant balance of fruit, blackberry and-read more-
Clear, medium garnet color with fading rim. Aromas of black cherry, strawberry, raspberry, smoke, spice, and soft vegetal. Full body, dry, medium acid, medium-high tannin, black cherry, raspberry, fleshy black fruit, with a long, soft finish. WHO: Fra Guerau WHAT:-read more-
Brick, garnet red, clear with faded rim. Oxidation on nose, berries, earth, deep fruit, ripe blackberry, dried fruit. Dry, full body, medium tannin, medium acid, cooked fruit, blackberry jam, oak, nutty finish. WHO: Bodegas Valdubón WHAT: Tempranillo WHERE: Ribera del-read more-
Deep garnet red to a faded mahogany rim. Clean, full aromas of dried fruit, jams, licorice, blackberry, spice, oak, caramel, Port, cinnamon, cherry, and raspberry. Dry, medium-full body, medium acidity, medium-high tannin, flavors of coffee, cherry, spice, oak, raspberry, plum;-read more-
"Powerful" was the description I was given, and it's true. Tangerine nose, with a bit of apricot, too. Thick, honeyed mouthfeel. More apricot and tangerine peel in the finish. Perfect botrytis occurred this vintage. Great with lobster + butter. WHO:-read more-