Stones %26 Bones
Château La Mission Haut-Brion
Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2001
So, if it’s my birthday celebration, there is a juicy ribeye & some old(er) Claret.
My only disappointment with this bottle is as good as it is, there are better things still down the road.
The nose reveals classic Claret. There are earthy, funky fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, baked strawberries with shades of raspberries. Steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, dry crushed rocks, stones, black, rich earth, clay, dry herbs, dark berry cola, cedar, leather, not quite fresh tobacco, underbrush, graphite, gentle, dark spice, slight peppery notes, clove, touch of nutmeg & cinnamon & vanillin, anise to black licorice, eucalyptus notes with fresh & slightly candied florals of, red, dark, blue, purple & violets.
The body is medium full with rounded, nicely resolved, tarry tannins. The structure, tension, length and balance are really singing. It would be good to have another 2001 LMHB in ten years. While 2001 wasn’t a critically acclaimed vintage, I think LMHB over performed the vintage. As well, it followed a grand 2000 vintage which, handicapped it from the start. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, baked strawberries, bright cherries, rhubarb, figs, with shades of raspberries. Steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, dry crushed rocks, stones, black, rich earth, clay, dry top soil, dry herbs, dark berry cola, cedar, leather, not quite fresh tobacco, underbrush, graphite, gentle, dark spice with soft heat, slight peppery notes, clove, touch of nutmeg & cinnamon & vanillin, anise to black licorice, eucalyptus notes with fresh & slightly candied florals of, red, dark, blue, purple & violets. The acidity is excellent...like a gentle rain shower. The long finish is elegance defined, extremely well balanced ending in soft, round, dry, dusty tannins with beautiful spice.
Photos of; Chateau La Mission Haut Brion & estate vines, beautiful barrel room, pond & Roman columns and the back vow of the Chateau.
Please indulge me while I post some history on this grand producer. As much as I love the wine, I love the history & people that do the hard work to bring us such great wines.
Chateau La Mission Haut Brion is not quite as old as Chateau Haut Brion. However, they are opposite side of the road neighbors. La Mission Haut Brion dates back to the late 16th century. The property came into being after it was purchased by Jean de Pontac in 1533. US winery history is a baby compared to France.
In 1607, the estate changed hands. It was inherited by Ms. Olive de Lestonnac. What an inheritance!
In 1815, something rare happened. Chateau La Mission Haut Brion became the property of an American owner, the Chiapelle family. At the time, the family was already involved in the Bordeaux wine trade. In fact, they knew about the business as they had managed a myriad of different estates including Chateau Cos d’ Estournel.
La Mission Haut Brion continued to change hands until it was finally sold to another American family, the Woltner’s. Frederic Woltner purchased La Mission Haut Brion in 1919. The also became owners on Howell Mountain.
It changed hands one final time in 1983 when it was purchased by Domaine Clarence Dillon, the owner of neighboring, Chateau Haut Brion. They renovated the entire property, starting with replanting the vineyards which, was completed in 1987.
The 26 hectare vineyard of Chateau La Mission Haut Brion is planted to; 45.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43.8% Merlot and 10.4% Cabernet Franc. 3.5 hectares of vines are reserved for the production of the white Bordeaux.
To produce the red wine of Chateau La Mission Haut Brion, the wine is vinified in large, 180 hectoliter, temperature controlled, stainless steel vats and aged in 100% new, French oak for an average of 22 months. The annual production of La Mission Haut Brion averages between 6,000 and 7,000 cases per year. — 4 years ago
Bodega Catena Zapata
White Bones Vino de Parcela Adrianna Vineyard Chardonnay 2019
Located in Tupungato region at 4757 feet elevation. White stones from an ancient river bed. Beautiful wine. — 9 months ago
Stones & Bones
Reserva Tinta Roriz Blend 2019
I love this wine! Full bodied red with a whole lot of fruit, hardly any tannins and pairs with numerous foods, meats, cheeses or just drinking. We received this in a gift basket and I was skeptical at first but after reading several reviews, decided hey, don’t be a wine snob. Am I ever glad! Could easily compete with much more expensive wines. I will be seeking it out for individual purchase. — 2 years ago
Stones & Bones
Red Blend 2015
A mammoth wine with dark berries and ripe bramble fruit. — 5 years ago
Château Haut-Batailley
Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot Blend 1990
From Magnum.
There are few things in life better than a 30 year old Bordeaux, grilling, great family, friends, music and environment. Today is hitting on all cylinders.
There is no amount of decanting a young wine that will give you or replace what 26 years in bottle delivers. I did not decant this wine but let breathe and poured slowly. As its lingered, it put on weight and keeps getting better. There are simply flavors and nuances that only come out in well made and aged wine that make them all the more special.
On the nose; sweet & sour dark ripe cherries, blackberries, baked plum & strawberries, cooked rhubarb & hues of blueberries. Lots of saddle-wood, cedar, light, soft spices, forest floor with dry leafs, dark rich soil, limestone, dry stones, dry tobacco, red fruit liqueur/cola, steeped tea, just whiff of herbaceous and dark red, blue flowers and violets.
The palate is medium to full. The body round, soft and glides effortlessly over the palate. The length, structure, tension and balance are in perfect harmony. Ripe; sweet & sour dark ripe cherries, blackberries, baked plum, raspberries & strawberries, cooked rhubarb & hues of blueberries. Lots of saddle-wood, cedar, old suede style leather, light, soft spices, forest floor with dry leafs, dark rich soil, limestone, underbrush, dry stones, dry tobacco, dry top soil, shades of red fruit liqueur/cola, steeped tea, just whiff of herbaceous and dark red, blue flowers and violets. The acidity magnificent. The beautiful, round, ripe, earth & fruit balanced finish is extremely special due to it age and lasts several minutes. This is why I long cellar Bordeaux. The experience is always ethereal!
@Oasis Az — 5 years ago
Seven Stones Winery (USA)
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Not ready to go yet. Has all the bones and has great structure, but has a lot of astringency on the finish. Black, purple and blue fruits. Finishes with stiff oak tannin but had a decent amount of black pepper spice on the finish as well. This wine was very pleasant to drink, and by the time I got around to it I think that it had been open for about 3 hours or so which definitely did help. Still, I think the best years of this wine are at least 4-5 years ahead, and think this one will drink well for 10-15 years. — 5 years ago
Casa Santos Lima
Casa Santos Lima Stones&Bones
Tart
Smells and tastes of lemon?
Odd lingering... — 6 years ago
Carmen
Papaya, peach, rose, wet stones
26 days of skin contact - light golden color, almost like an oaky white
I love the slight funk without being too wild — 16 days ago