There's no meal I like better in NYC right now than a summer dinner at Craft- last night we had the chef prepare our meal- it was fantastic, as were all four wines (tasting notes from YB's post to the Parker board here:
1971 Zach. Bergweiler-Prum Wehlener Sonnenur Riesling Auslese
A
gametime decision to go with this over a 1996 white burg ended in a
great call. The capsule and cork were crusty, but the wine inside was
really excellent. A dark gold with roasted nuts, mint and hints of
caramel and oil. A nice medium-bodied wine with a slight clip at the
end. Not profound, but a very good Auslese example with superb ripeness
and still a good shot of acidity. I mean, hey, it's 34 years old, right?
1978 Pradeaux Bandol
A
dustly and craggly bottle brought back from Paris by my friend Michael
Moriarty. We thought it was fake. The color was a deep crimson and the
nose sported primary red fruit and minerals -- a blind guess would be a
1990 or 1989. Rich pure fruit with a great balance of herbs, and strong
licorice. With air, bigger tannins. I can't believe this is a 1978.
Wow. This bottle could go another 10+ years easy.
1985 Arnoux Vosne-Romanee Les Suchots
I've
been lucky enough to have this wine three times over the past 6 or so
months and this was the best bottle -- and also the youngest. Extremely
primary red fruit that attacks like a laser with mouth-puckering
intensity. A bit of air reveals slight herbs, tea, coffee and black
fruit. But the purity of fruit is amazing. Super fresh with a finish to
die for. Really great stuff. How can this wine be 20 years old???
1997 Valentini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
I
have easily spent $500 combined on various Valentini MdAs over the
years, and this is the first good bottle. And it's a GREAT bottle. Inky
black with intensely deep dark fruit, cassis, herbs and just a hint of
VA. Lush and extravagent with fine tannins and long finish. Spectacular
and singular wine. If you can find some AND it's a good bottle, it's
heavenly.
Corkage is $45 and the service is exceptional- Riedels, plenty of decanting if necessary and no attitude whatsoever.
