quote:

Originally posted by irwin:
I gotta pass. Swamped with work and trying to get it all done before we go away.

I was hoping you'd eventually go away.

BADABING! He's the straight man.

Wimps.

PH

WIML:

Just for that, I won't be posting during my two weeks in the S. of France, checking out CdeP's, and the like.
When I am in Cannes, it isn't likely that I will be mistaken for Brad Pitt or anyone important, though I do share a certain resemblance to Rob Reiner.

quote:

my two weeks in the S. of France

I know a nice little place in Les Essembles, half way between Cannes and St. Tropez, with an endless pool that pours off into the Mediterranean, a hostess that pours Provence Rose until it turns into Burgandy, and its affordable.

Say hi to Laurence at Pegau for me, a great place to barrel taste.

Thanks, Jace. I'll report back.

quote:

Originally posted by Jace:
.....a hostess that pours Provence Rose until it turns into Burgandy, and its affordable.

That is a LOT of rose.

PH

A Rose' tasting sounds like a Maryland theme.

Beats a Shiner tasting any day, Tex!!

PH

Hey, a Shiner sounds pretty good right now.

After all the crap wine you've been drinking, I'd say so!!

1990 Solaia.... I'd need a Bock after that bottle of rotgut myself!!

PH

I'm much more interested about your July tasting ...

w+a

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
I'm much more interested about your July tasting ...

w+a

, indeed. I'm sure it'll be memorable!

To put some closure this thread, the formerly missing cometspider, Festive and yours truly met up and a scene of a few past offlines to catch up. Each of us brought a Bordeaux, which was served blind.

Tasted first was a 1998 Ch. Clos de L'Oratoire, generously provided by competspider. Very young, but delicious. As cometspider very correctly summarized, "Bittersweet chocolate wrapped around cherries." Lovely stuff. Will go on my "to buy," list for sure. I correctly identified this wine as a 1998 Right Bank. As they say, a blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut!

Second was a 1989 Ch. Lafon Rochet that I brought. The wine showed nicely, I thought. It was a bit subdued after tasting the 1998 but that's what I get for showing up late. Secondary flavors melded nicely with the remaining fruits, and the tannins were fully integrated. cometspider correctly identified this as a 1989 Left Bank wine.

Last was a real surprise. Although wrapped in tin foil, I thought I recognized the color of the foil on the neck of the bottle and incorrectly identified it as an Haut Brion. After tasting, I was totally lost. The wine was fully mature, although still showing great fruit. Medium finish. I had NO CLUE what we were drinking, and was totally blown away when the wine was unwrapped. 1971 Ch. La Mission Haut Brion. Nice! Thanks Festiva!

cometspider and I both started with the country pate, which was really delicious and great with the Bordeaux. Followed by a fantastic cassoulet with duck confit that again paired spectacularly with the wines. We finished with a trio of desserts that were passed around (creme brulee, tart tatin and ??? ) with a 2002 Jo Pithon Quarts de Chaume 'Les Varennes' that complimented the sweets quite nicely.

A great night with a great couple of winos.

On to June!

PH

Sounds amazing, PH.

quote:

A great night with a great couple of winos.

A great evening, indeed! Having missed the past couple of offlines, I was thrilled to be back in the saddle with CometSpider and the #2 Wine Critic in Maryland!

I really enjoyed the small group setting - not only for the conversational benefits, but for the larger pours a 3 person offline affords! It guaranteed we could follow each wine throughout the entire evening.

My recollection of the wines are similar to PH's. I thought the '98 Clos de l'Oratoire was rather tight at first, offering up lots of dark chocolate, spice and wood, but not much fruit. That changed after a bit of swirling in the glass, opening up a really big nose of dark cherries. It continued to develop and intensify over the course of the evening. I spent a lot of time with my nose stuck in this glass.

The Lafon Rochet was a completely different animal. If the l’Oratoire was a textbook Right Banker, the Lafon couldn’t be mistaken for anything but a Left Banker. Lots of cassis and tannin going on in here. Long finish. Very nice wine!

Having picked up the La Mission the week before, I was rather nervous to open it up, fearing it was well past its prime. But the store indicated it had just been purchased from a collector who originally bought it from them upon release in the 70’s. This was my first Bordeaux from the 70’s, and it was a really interesting experience. Musty and dusty at first, it blew off quickly to reveal classic Bordeaux scents and flavors of cigars, cassis, and earth. Soft, velvety tannins. Probably a little past its prime, but still enjoyable now.

The Pithon QdC was a HUGE disappointment. A glass of apricot syrup and nothing more… Being a 2002, I expected at least a little bit of acidity. Alas, none was to be found… Memo to self: Never, ever, turn away a Baumard QdC!

All in, a good time was had by all. I’m looking forward to raising a few more glasses with you both this summer!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Festiva,

quote:

Originally posted by Darlene:
Sounds amazing, PH.

The invitation to "come East" still stands Darlene! Bring the mister and come on down!! We do have a good time at these things.

PH

So, soooooooooo tempted....