Dinner with a few good friends at the classy Stonehouse Restaurant In Montecito included the following wines:
1976 TAITTINGER MILLESIME BRUT RESERVE- this bottle was amazingly giving and still viable; it was such a treat that was even more appreciated after observing the strange gray- yellowish gold color and wondering what would follow; it was beautifully balanced with some fine acidity and delicious creamy rich and unexpected very ripe peach and butterscotch notes with a touch of buttered toast and even some ripe pineapple coming in late; certainly this was mature bubbly in a good place.
2005 DOMAINE RAMONET MORGEOT CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET 1ER CRU- steely, mineral, flint aromatics along with nice citrus, pear and green apple notes supported by good acidity, great mouthfeel and a long finish; in a good place now and no pre-mox issues.
2002 DOMAINE MONGEARD-MUGNERET GRANDS ECHEZEAUX GRAND CRU- stunning! Amazingly still young and vibrant fresh fruit notes of black raspberry, strawberry and red and black cherry all enhanced with Asian spices, a silky texture and a hit of cranberry coming in by mid palate; the tannins are easy and evident and along with good acidity, this promises to evolve into an even greater wine.
1989 JABOULET HERMITAGE LA CHAPELLE- one of the best bottles I`ve had from this vintage and most have been pretty stellar; pepper, cinnamon, spice and everything nice accentuates the plum, blueberry and black currant fruit; it is full on, has wonderful unfolding layers of depth, a soft texture and LONG finish. WOW!
1992 SHAFER HILLSIDE SELECT CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA- decanted; on an night where every wine is showing up to be counted, this fell right into place and shined big time; showing a dark purple color, this was very complex with concentrated milk chocolate, vanilla and cedar laced blackberry and black currant notes abounding; it was silky smooth, had a long finish and demonstrated consistent notes much later on in the evening during a re-visit.
1990 PICHON-LALANDE LONGUEVILLE COMTESSE de LALANDE PAUILLAC- and one more bottle coming up as good as any I`ve had over many years, this still is young, vibrant, evolving and an eye opener as all at our table took a look around the table after it was first poured and tasted; the nose had some cedar, leather and licorice that melded into the tasty black cherry, black currant and blueberry fruit; all was bundled up and delivered in a smooth, lush texture which carried on to extend the climaxing finish; this was full bodied, seamless and a sensory treat in every way.
1970 CHATEAU dYQUEM SAUTERNES- 750 ml; my goodness, this came out of the ice bucket on another table as a surprise and it was definitely so; as with some of the other bottles on this night, this was a the top of any 70 dYquem Ive had; bright golden color; strong aromatics waft out of the glass with suggestive pleasure forthcoming; loaded and full on, it had honeyed vanilla butterscotch, stone fruit notes of peach, apricot and nectarine, hints of toasted almonds and a thick almost chewy texture that coated the palate for early next day pleasure; having already been satiated, we did not drink a major portion of the bottle.
This was the kind of evening I dream about where all wines show up and there were no flaws. It was the epitome of the cliché, “more pleasure leads to more pleasure”.
Cheers,
Blake