About 2 years ago I picked up 4 bottles of 2000 Les Ailes De Cantemerle (2nd wine of Cht Cantemerle) for $8 a bottle. I don't think the management had any idea what this wine was. I have had it after the big brother from the same vintage and there might be one point difference. Last night, with a Caesar's salad with rare NY strip, I opened my next to last bottle. After a decant and about 30 minutes to settle down, it was delicious. Lots of cassis, earth, tobacco. Very nice with the NY strip and salad.
Tonight, with pan-seared Alaskan cod, I just felt like maybe an '06 Bouchard Bourgogne Pere et Fils might work, and for once, I was on point. This wine has been gaining weight over the past 18 months and is starting to show like a decent Bourgogne. I only have a few left, but isn't that the way it usually goes. Maybe by the time I get to the nursing home, I will be willing to wait on a wine, or someone will make me "wait on a wine". I had been decanting these, but did not tonight, and it seems to be much better. Very nice with the cod, and dynamite with a square of 71% dark chocolate. 13% ABV and only about $16.