2001 Ch. Pichon Baron, Pauillac
Our Saturday steak dinner had me hankering for something with mostly Cabernet Sauvignon in it and I went withi this. Fresh Bordeaux color that was very dark, black plum and inky. Leather, pencil, tobacco, very Pauillac on the nose. Last I’ve had one of these was about 2 years ago and that bottle then was more open and giving. This bottle, from the same purchased at-release lot, was tighter, much younger-tasting, and quite backward. Could definitely have benefited from more cellar time. I was quite excited to open this bottle after a very positive drinking experience about 2 years ago, but this one turned out to be less interesting. B
2005 Dom. du Pegau Cuvee Reservee, Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Horsehide, garrique and fresh meat bouquet. Deep-fruited, but not overly ripe and with slight, but discernible heat and alcohol near the finish. Purchased since release, I have been drinking a bottle at an average of every 6 months since then and, have not experienced any that has shut down. This bottle was pleasant to drink, with just a tinge of harshness - a reminder of the wine’s young age, and an appropriate touch of green and some milky notes. With this bottle, it’s the first time that I’ve used the word “effeminate” in my notes, relative to any of my TNs for any of the young Reservee that I’ve had from this decade’s vintage. B+