What a wonderful wine tasting, and dinner......

N.V. Nicolas Feuillatte -

If you are looking to delve into Champagne for the first time or simply want to stock a "go to" QPR bubbly for the Summer ($20-25), this is your bottle! Wonderful aromas of tropical fruits. On the palate....light bodied, with pineapple, passion fruit, lemon zest, grannie smith apple, wet stone/mineral, and a nice yeasty character. Great effervescence and acids. What a bargain! 93 pts. solid. This and the Billecart Salmon Rose could pretty much cover all of the bubbly bases for a fraction of the price of the big boys.

'01 Behrens Hommage et Ed Olivera -

What a nose! Deep brooding intoxicating dark fruits with coffee and anise. On the palate this packs a monstrous 1, 2, puch with anise, melted tar, espresso roasted grounds, toffee, blackberry, and graphite. The midpalate evens out after it's inital "strike", and the finish ends somewhat simple yet firm. This wine is ALL about it's monstrous "primary" characteristics right now. It will be interesting to see if it evens out and gains complexity with some age. 93+ pts.

'01 Torbreck Run Rig -

Also a "baby". Dark black/blood red in color. Initially the nose on this was very subdued...Light maple syrup, toffee, and wet earth. This became more intense with air time with a "pineapple" component added on. On the palate, the initial sip was not NEARLY as potent as the Behrens, but the midpalate and finish drew a velvet curtain for a symphony of elegance, complextiy, and length that went deep accross a powerful yet gracefully long finish. Notes of blackberry syrup, maple, bay leaf, toffee, melted tar, casis, creme brulee, vanilla, lavender, pineapple and lichee nuts. This is THE MOST unique syrah I have ever tasted. And, one of the most unique red wines I have ever tasted. Very profound! 99+ pts.

Happy tasting....

-DRAB

So much wine.....so little time!!!

DRAB,
Good to see you posting have not seen you around lately.
We need to hook up with PYANG in Napa soon.Work for me will be slowing down nicely Feb. 1st.
chico

Chico....

Sounds like fun to me! Are you going to the dinner on the 18th? Heard about the '01 Elevation you guys killed at Rutherford. How was it? I haven't seen any notes around here.

So much wine.....so little time!!!

Do a search I posted note on it and PYANG put his 2 cents also. It will be under David Arthur Elevation. Yes I will be going to the dinner and I also know who the suprise guest is

Thanks for the notes, DRAB.

I have got try a Run Rig one of these days...

Cheers,

Otis

DRAB,

Thanks for the notes. Any idea how much that Torbreck Syrah cost? I know someone that can order it for me and wanted to get an idea of what might be a fair price.

DRAB, good call on the Nicolas Feuillatte Brut. I have had several bottles and concur with you 100%. Very good bubbly for the price--showing some true champagne character, with the mineral, yeast/bread flavors. I've got two bottles left and they won't last long.

************
"I've gotta be honest with you, guys. I need more cowbell."

Emilio,

I paid $138/bottle from both K & L and Wine House. Those were the lowest prices that I have seen by a good 20-30 dollars.

Drab is going to have to change his name to something like DRBUB, or Doctor Bubbles, or Bubble tooth......

Oh, this is only if some dark, rich and bold Champagnes don't get disgorged!

He has a room full of big wines that I would help him relocate!!

Regards,

DBW

PS - Hi DRAB!

Hey dbw4!

For anyone intersted....I payed $120 for the Run Rig, which I thought was a STEAL! But....it's typcially around $150-175 and should jump over $200 when Parker scores it! It's NOTHING like the Marquis Philips style Integrity (I've only had the '01 by the way). I would equate this to the '98 Grange, but even more complex with a certain restraint/elegance to it's power. It's a mindblowing wine and incredibly well rounded. The Viognier component really makes this wine unique and idividualistic. This could be one of the most profound wines I've had in a while....

-DRAB

So much wine.....so little time!!!