MarcF and I gathered several of our cycling buddies for a replay of the famed Paris Roubaix bike race, the one race I’d want to win were I a pro. Defines cycling as a brutal sport of perseverance. The winner cycles for about 6 hours in crappy weather, on crappy roads, on multiple stages of cobbles that destroy bike parts, cause accidents and blow tyres. Unlike Tour de France, this is a race built for the big men, not the skinny climbers.
So of course we need some appropriate “old world” wines.
1993 Dunn Howell Mountain
Hard to beat - assuming you can find one that is actually mature - a mature Dunn. A glorious perfume that is both reminiscent of Bordeaux but with perfectly ripe California sunshine fruit. Always love the grainy texture, layers of mountain fruit, spanning the entire color spectrum. Finishes with a soft plum and balsam note, slightly drying on the back end. Drink up. (93 pts.)
1986 Chateau La Dominque
I have always had a soft spot for this once-classic St. Em. Jean Luc Thunevin took over sometime in the 2000s, so I moved on. The wines from the 1980s are glorious. This baby has a killer funk nose with a cab franc profile, earth, ash, leather, and always classic for La Dominque, tobacco. Loads of ripe tobacco leaf on the nose and palate. The palate is soft, wide open, plummy, mid-weight. Short finish. On the back-side, but lovely nonetheless. The nose here makes the wine. Is there an acronym for “nose of the night”? NOTN. (91 pts.)
2002 Chateau d’Armailhac
Another classic Bordeaux that I have bought over the many years, always priced right. My first 2002 d’Armailhac and it did not disappoint [incidentally, the 2002 sister wine, Mouton, is outstanding]. A four square, archetype Pauilliac: Pencil, cassis, dry earth. Not terribly exciting but perfectly enjoyable. Everything in place. Ready to enjoy. (90 pts.)
2004 Chateau Giscours
Perfumed, flowers, wet earth and rich dark fruit. Probably needs a couple more years to flesh out more but quite enjoyable now. Mid-weight palate, mostly dark fruits and a hint of leather. (90 pts.)
Apropos for the race, an old pic of my favorite
rider of the time, Hincapie.