Curious Fruit
Olga Raffault
Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2014
@Peter Sultan I am always surprised this is not on more restaurant wine-lists given the price to quality ratio.
I have no evidence other than anecdotal but I suspect bottle variability- both from my experience and from what wine stores have told me. I imagine too it’s a tricky wine to sell given it can really shut down for periods. But all guesses @Ira Schwartz …..
Château Cheval Blanc
St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1986
Drinking well can’t see this getting better with a long life ahead showing red fruit, graphite, spice, earth, mint & tobacco — 4 days ago
Château Pontet-Canet
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003
This had lots of rich dark berry fruit with notes of graphite, sweet, savory spice, cedar, leather & tobacco — 15 days ago
Love this ‘03!
Opus One
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2010
In Magnum. Excellent balance of fruit and acid. Many years to go. — 12 days ago
Château Margaux
Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1992
Thoroughly integrated tannins in an aged wine that has started its decline. Dark fruit, vanilla oak and cedar on the palette. Classic Bordeaux on the nose. — 6 hours ago
Peter Sultan
Broke out one of my cellared Raffaults for my homeboy who graced me with a home cooked Tuscan styled flank steak w rosemary & arugula, as well as Israeli cous cous w chickpeas, charred tomatoes, feta, & herbs. Light Cadmium red hued & strong color though ( good cork- not a guarantee w Raffault!); dense Hibiscus, fresh raspberry & some bramble on nose; on palate very clean & smooth mouthfeel, with the initial flavors repeated but a deeper blend of red fruits & a stronger presence of under brush. Super fresh & integrated. Elegant, & the Burgundy echo was hard to ignore. Not Uber complex but not monolithic either, which this line of Raffault can be in its youth ( or as it ages). Very impressive, & accessible now. Curious how my ‘02 & 07s will fare… — 19 days ago