As most know, I do not write about all the wines I drink. This is due to various reasons, ranging from laziness to recent repetition of bottles. These are a couple, though, that, in hindsight, may be worthy of note (no photos this time as I did not, at the time, that I would be writing about these):
2007 Domaine Gilbert Picq Chablis 1er Cru Vaucoupin - With lunch of Pain Perdue With Tomatoes, Davao Goat Cheese, Roasted Lardons, Salad & Caramelized Onions to start and main course of Bouillabaisse at Restaurante Ciçou this past Thursday (19th August 2010) with a wine-loving Swiss investment banker who just moved to Manila.
Extremely focused, penetrating, good purity, a little past medium-bodied, remarkable drive and push on the palate. Lots of white minerality, oyster shell and chalk notes packed neatly into its moderately ripe apple, Asian pear and lemon (the latter takes over in the finish). Excellent cut. Very nice indeed. Excellent with both dishes.
1996 Pagodes de Cos - Work-related lunch at Je Suis Gourmand with a friend Thursday last week (12th August 2010) - with main of Flank Steak. I like drinking this while waiting for its '96 big brother Cos grand vin to mature.
Deep, cedar/warm asphalt-laced, vegetal notes infuse loamy dark fruit, cassis, black cherry, bit of kirsch, bit of raspberry and violets. Almost full (a light-heavyweight in boxing terms) and comfortably warming. Quite dry, fruit just slightly soft. Underlying leather, anise and dark chocolate notes gradually emerge in the middle through to the finish. Cedar and violet notes consistent throughout. Good balance. Quite nice.
Pagodes de Cos has long been my favorite 2nd wine from Bordeaux - more than those of the 1st growths, to be honest.