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 It’s already Thursday and I’m still trying to catch up with everything. It’s a juggling act at best!  On “Day 80”, September 6th, 2014, I posted a quick review of 1988 Chateau Coufran Haut – Médoc. I remember how impressed we were that it had held up so well throughout the years considering it was not stored under the most ideal conditions. When my friend came over for dinner on Tuesday evening, he asked if we might open my last bottle of 1988 Chateau Coufran Haut - Médoc. And so, a year later, as we swirled and sipped, we were again awed as to how well this wine stood the test of time! It was better than the first bottle.  The cork was solid and came out with ease. It was decanted, with no visible sediment, which is unusual for a wine of this age. The color was dark brick red with aromas of cherry and dark berries. The wine was soft and uncomplicated with gentle flavors of cherry, pomegranate, a hint of spice and licorice. As the wine continued to open up over the course of the evening, the fruit became a bit bolder on the palate. The finish was medium. It was an exceptional wine for its age. http://www.chateau-coufran.com The 76 hectare vineyard is situated on the Left Bank close to St. Estephe. The vineyard, which dates back to the mid 1700’s, was originally planted with Cabernet Sauvignon. The Miaihe family purchased the property in 1924 and in the early 1930’s they ended up ripping out most of the Cabernet vines and planting 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet grapes in the vineyards. This is quite unique for the Haut - Médoc. I would love to taste their more recent vintages as a comparison to the 1988 bottle. Have a great Thursday!
Cheers! Penina  It’s another overcast day with lots to do, so no rest for the weary. And…I am so very weary. I awoke this morning before the birds did. After a productive day yesterday, I finally started to wind down. With company coming, I began my food prep for the evening’s dinner. The menu was grilled vegetables with couscous and seared scallops. The wine was a 2001 Chateau La Grave A Pomerol. Just imagine, while the grapes for this Bordeaux blend were being harvested, the world was about to change forever with the 9/11 tragedy. On a brighter note for that year, Apple announced iTunes at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco, for organizing and playing digital music and videos.  The wine was the color of rubies. We took a taste as soon as the bottle was opened. It was soft and somewhat closed, needing time to open up. So we put it aside for about 45 minutes and then began to drink it. The aromas of dark cherry, raspberry and a hint of tobacco were intoxicating. The wine was delicious and straightforward with flavors of dark fruits, plum and a touch of spice. It had a very nice “jammy” finish. We savored every mouthful! http://www.chateau-la-grave.net  I’d love to steal a catnap before tonight’s activities, but not happening! Happy Thursday!
Cheers! Penina  About 5 months ago I uncovered 10 bottles of 1976 Chateau Beychevelle Grand Vin Saint-Julien hidden in my wine cabinet. I always knew that I had a few bottles lurking about, but was most delighted to find even more.  In April of this year I opened a bottle with another wine enthusiast and wrote a review. http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2015/04/day-258.html. Since then, a few of my “wine” friends have been pleading with me to share a bottle with them.  So last night, I opened a bottle for a special friend hoping for the same positive experience as before. We were not disappointed! Although the color was faded to brick and the aromas were muted, the essence of fruit was still detectable on the nose. We allowed it to sit for about 45 minutes. As with the bottle that was opened in April, this too, was very drinkable. Soft with the taste of berries overriding it’s age and earthiness, it got better and better with each passing minute! Eight bottles to go…who will be the next to share with me? What will you be drinking to start off you weekend?
Happy Friday! Cheers! Penina  The year was 1969. It was the year of love, Woodstock and the Beatles “Revolver” album. Nixon was inaugurated 37th president of the US. The movies Midnight Cowboy, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Easy Rider were released. Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon.  And then…. there was 1969 Petrus.  I shared this amazing wine last evening with a fellow oenophile. The wine was released from 46 years of resting in the bottle and gently decanted. The color was brick red with very subtle aromas of dried berries and faint spice. A quick sip told me that we were in for a treat. We allowed the Petrus time to open up. Over the course of an hour or two, we enjoyed tasting the very delicate but undefined flavors of fruit and earth. However, I did detect a hint of plum. It was a 1969 love fest. And…I have one more bottle that I’m saving for a special occasion. The winery is located in the eastern portion of Pomerol in the Bordeaux region of France. The vineyard’s location is in the highest point of Pomerol and is made up of iron-rich clay soil, resulting in fruit with excellent mineral balance and aging potential. It is interesting to note that although Pomerol has never been granted “growth” classification status, Petrus is widely considered on par with other First Growth wines. I'll drink to that! http://www.moueix.com Enjoy your Saturday…the Stanley Cup and The Preakness!
Cheers! Penina  It was glorious to sleep with the windows open last night. I think it is safe to say that spring is here to stay!  I realize my blog of late has the “knitter” missing in it. I am in the process of setting up a “knitting room”, a long overdue project. I hope to have it completed in the next two weeks…and then I will resume making art wear.  Last evening my friend and I lined up three vintage bottles of wine, two of which obviously had leakage and evaporation. Can you guess which bottle was drinkable? We started with the 1969 Chateau Haut-Bailly Grand Cru Classe from the appellation Graves, Pessac Leognan in Médoc. Both bottles had flattened out, but surprisingly had not turned to vinegar. There was still a hint of grape on the palate and had a musty but not unpleasant aroma. I will probably try to make homemade vinegar with them. The winner of the evening was the 1976 Chateau Beychevelle Grand Vin Saint-Julien. Not only was it drinkable, but rather enjoyable! It had certainly lost all the nuances of a Bordeaux wine, but still possessed a lovely fragrance. It was both sweet and soft on the palate with a hint now and then of what it used to be. The wine improved as it opened and two hours later we were drinking the last drop! It was a lot of fun! 
Happy Thursday!
Cheers! Penina  It’s another beautiful spring day. Birds are chirping, the peepers are doing their mating calls and I’m running behind on everything!  I should have at least four knitting projects done by now. Nary a one has been started. I can’t seem to find a peaceful block of time these days to knit. And I won’t be able to “put on the brakes” for at least another month.  However, I did put on the brakes last night and had a wonderful dinner, good conversation and a special bottle of wine with a friend. We shared a 2001 Château de Sales Pomerol, compliments of my friend’s wine cellar. This Bordeaux Blend was a deep ruby color. It had a distinct musty aroma along with sweet fruit and plum. The mustiness faded after 10 minutes or so. On the palate, plum, cherry and ripe fruits dominated, with hints of anise and chocolate. Velvety tannins and a long finish carried through to the last drop. It was a very sexy wine! http://www.chateau-de-sales.com An interesting note: Château de Sales is the largest wine estate in the Pomerol appellation in France. Happy Wednesday!
Cheers! Penina  Monday was another jam-packed day. So I was looking forward to having a quick drink with a friend and then veg’ing for the rest of the evening. However, the quick drink turned into dinner and a bottle of wine. And, I’m happy that it did, because the wine was fantastic!  We drank a 2005 Château La Vieille Cure. This Red Bordeaux blend was an intense purple color. It had more earth than fruit on the nose. Dark cherry, spice and rich loam filled the palate. Over the course of two hours, the wine continued to open with flavors of licorice, dark berries and a hint of cocoa. Dark cherry and chocolate lingered in my mouth for a long finish. This full-bodied wine was good to the last drop! http://www.la-vieille-cure.com I must get back to work now!
Happy Tuesday! Cheers! Penina  It’s Monday and once again the snow, sleet and freezing rain is here to greet us. As much as I like to embrace the winter season, I am reaching my “full” capacity with it all!  I attended a wine tasting at a local wine shop the other day to try a 2002 Château Lanessan from the Haut-Médoc. This Left Bank Bordeaux blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, with a little Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc thrown in, was a deep garnet color. Aromas of plum, spice and cherry “pipe” tobacco gave way to cherry, strawberry and pepper on the palate. It was silky, well balanced and the fruity finish was long. http://www.lanessan.com My knitting project is in a holding pattern, but I hope to complete my design by the weekend.  This is a good day to continue purging rooms in my house while juggling business from home. Until tomorrow… Cheers!
Penina  And the winner is… Yesterday I posted a photo of four vintage wines, one of which was opened Wednesday evening. I asked my friend to randomly select a bottle…and this is what he chose.  1976 Château Dassault, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. With a little effort, the cork came out. The color was brick red with a very subtle berry aroma, which was encouraging. Surprisingly, the wine still had structure and was very drinkable. Throughout the evening, a mild fruit essence, fennel and spice became more pronounced on the palate. There was very little sediment for a wine of this age. Needless to say, the bottle was fully consumed! http://www.dassaultwineestates.com Château Dassault was created in the mid 1800’s under the name Château Couperi by a member of the Fourcaud family who are best known for creating Château Cheval Blanc. Michel Dassault bought the Château in 1955, giving it his name. In 1969 the Château obtained Grand Cru Classé status.
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru wines are produced with tighter production restrictions than regular Saint-Emilion wines. The intention behind this is to improve quality, and to distinguish the area's finer wines from the more everyday wines. This applies to other Grand Cru appellations as well. I want to take a moment and thank my followers who seem to be growing by leaps and bounds. I enjoy your comments and feedback…keep them coming! Happy Friday! Cheers! Penina  So, the weather has foiled my plans once again! The great Blizzard of 2015 is on its way.  I was looking forward to attending the Grands Crus de Bordeaux wine tasting today. It was an exclusive trade tasting of the 2012 vintage. However, I felt it more prudent to err on the side of caution and stay home. This is the perfect time to knit something. No more excuses!!! If I don’t lose electricity, I will post a photo tomorrow.  If you are in the path of the blizzard, please be smart and stay safe! I will be dreaming of a tropical island! Happy Monday!
Cheers! Penina |
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