Well, I’ve been away for a few weeks dealing with wedding, honeymoon, etc….so I have some notes to post.

’97 Caymus
Decanted and drank from Riedel Extreme Cab glasses. Beautiful dark color. Nose of simple black fruits and vanilla. Incredible mid-palate with very well integrated tannins, leaving the mouth with a short, dull finish. An ok wine, this is the first and last Caymus I will purchase. Paid $60, should have paid $20. I don’t think this one will improve, MC 88 pts.

’98 Antinori Tignanello
Drank with dinner overlooking Aruba coast on a mid-80 degree night. I had to ask for an ice bucket to cool off the wine, they thought I was crazy. Oh well, gotta do what you gotta do. Not decanted and drank with bad glassware, this wine was a surprising stunner. Medium bodied wine with nice color, but the nose really became great with a little time in the glass. Mid was nice, nothing spectacular, but showing red fruits without too much complexity. Finish was LONG, very LONG. Paid $70 in the restaurant, will not do it again, but not a bad experience. MC 90 pts.

’97 Jordan Cab.
Had this at rehearsal dinner, went through 8 magnums!!! Wine was impressive for a Jordan, the best I have. Don’t have really detailed notes, but had a very well-rounded touch and a nice finish. Nothing super, nothing bad…I’d give it about MC 89 pts.

’79 Pichon Baron
This was a fun wine, also had it at the rehearsal dinner. Decanted and poured, there was not much going on here. Not a great vintage by any means, and not an impressive wine, but a fun experience. This wine completely died in the glass after 45 or so minutes. MC 82

’99 Navarro Correras?
Had this Argentine wine twice in Aruba, and was impressed. For a $15 wine, this did not disappoint. Well integrated oak, fruit, and tannins, I will be purchasing some of these…I found some in Richmond yesterday. A fun, easy-drinking Cab with some flavor. MC 88

’98 Elderton Barossa Cabernet
A winner. Purchased a month ago from a local wine shop…before the Parker 91 and the sell-out in the store. Great dark, black fruits emerge from this full-bodied Aussie Cab. A touch of mocha on the incredibly long finish in this $25 stunner. A great value, MC 92, I will search this one out.

WOTY: 1985 Salon
Had this wine after the wedding reception in a nice hotel suite. Drank from Riedel flutes, properly chilled. A ton of biscuity, honey, and nutty flavors drive this monster. Although rich, this bubbly was very, very refreshing and crisp, with a finish that lasts and lasts and lasts. This tastes very young, and I give it a few more years. My wine of the year, not just for the quality of the wine, but the quality of the moment. Wine: MC 96, Moment: MC 100.

Recent purchases:
2 Antinori ’97 Brunello ($55)
3 Wolf Blass ’98 Platinum Label Shiraz ($40)
1 Andrew Will ’95 Sorella ($50)
3 Dominus ’94 ($125)
2 Fisher ’95 Wedding Vineyard ($60)
2 Phelps ’95 Backus ($80)
5 d’Arenberg Nostalgia Tawny ($25)
3 Rosemount Old Benson Tawny ($25)

MCrtn,

I am very glad to hear that the '85 Salon is performing so well and still has several years to go. I have one bottle of it that I'm saving for graduation in 2004, and am looking forward to opening it to celebrate.

Congratulations on your wedding. I am getting married in March and have been thinking about what to drink that night. Decisions, decisions...