Let Down

When tasting wine, you're bound to have some severe let downs. You build yourself help for what should be a terrific experience, only to have the wine, the winery, the restaurant, or even your friends let you down. Last Monday at Thames River joins my ranks of big let downs.

I met up with a bunch of friends to taste the $180 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 Cabernet from 2000. By all means it should've been wonderful. Granted 2000 was not a killer year for Napa Cabs, it's still SLWC, and it's still the famed Cask 23. Amy and I arrived first and grabbed our sampling because they would only be dishing out one bottle, and we didn't want to be left high and dry if our friends arrived too late. We stood their sniffing our glasses in great anticipation. The nose was fabulous! Everything you could ever ask for in a powerhouse Cab. Cedar and Currant and Blackberries. Just glorious scents. Once Amanda and Kevin arrived and secured their glasses, we tasted. Blah! Just so flat and lifeless. No sense of structure or flavor. It was like being at the fair when you were six and having the bully pop your balloon. It tried to redeem itself with a relentless finish that wouldn't go away. It was that flavor of a winery's barrel room just seeping into your mouth. But the complete absences of a palate made this wine a dud in our books. Maybe I'd pay $30 for it on clearance, but surely not $180.

Another recent let down was my 2002 Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou that I lugged out to Martha's Vineyard. I was hoping this $80 investment would've aged into a First-Growth imitation. Instead, I was left with another $20-$30 tasting bottle that left me drinking it straight from the decanter till I felt I had my money's worth (see Facebook for photos). So, fill me in, what's been one of your memorable wine related let downs?

Till next time..."Broadway! I haven't been so happy since we crushed Poland!"--???

Catching Up

Here's a rundown of a few wines from the past two weeks.

-First I opened the 2002 Chateau Lascombes from Margaux at Doyle's Bastille Day function. As those near and dear to me know, the greatest wine I ever had was the 1988 Chateau Margaux, and since have found a deep appreciation for the clarets from Margaux. Margaux' tend to be lighter and have more finesse than the big and powerful wines of the Paulliac. The Lascombes needed some time in the glass to really open up, but once it did it was killer. Smooth and sumptuous, like a good kiss. The finish seemed endless and lingered like a fine perfume. I simply adored it.

-Next was a affordable Australian Shiraz that I honestly can't remember the name of. That's the first time that's happened to me. I am shock. I am so disappointed in my self that I may quit blogging. It was solid for the $7.99 price tag but nothing spectacular. A little harsh on the palate but a smoother finish than expected. I still can't believe I forgot it's name!

-Finally, we opened the 2004 Argyle Willamette Valley Reserve Pinot Noir at Rob's the other night. Another wine that took a few minutes to open up in the glass but was outstanding.
Better than I remember when we tasted at Argyle back in 2006. Lovely floral aromas and I picked up hints of cherry and oak. Also, a screw top that we let age for a few years. I deem the experience a success.

I got it! McWilliam's Shiraz!!! Guess this means I'll have to keep blogging. Till next time..."Never show anyone. They'll beg you and they'll flatter you for the secret, but as soon as you give it up... you'll be nothing to them."--???