Our friends' annual July 4 pool party was cancelled due to the terrible weather, so we decided to do takeout from our local Italian restaurant. We had mussels marinara and pasta fagioli. Not necessarily chosen for excellent pairing, nonetheless a 2001 Arcadian Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir did nicely. This bottle tasted much younger and fresher than my last bottle several months ago. I even did a double take to make sure it was the 2001. The nose was explosive with anise, florals, and red fruit. I couldn't take my nose out of the glass. When I finally did, I was rewarded with the same delicious flavors along with a wonderful earthiness. The finish was long and beautiful. My last bottle
On Saturday, friends from New Jersey made the trek out to Long Island. We enjoyed a 2013 Baudry Rose. No notes taken, but it was crisp, refreshing, and excellent with the charcuterie out on the deck. Our dinner wine was a 2003 Duhart Milon that we drank with a rib cap, roasted duck fat potatoes, and sautéed zucchini. The wine had a beautiful nose and it was a harbinger of what we found on the palate. This is a powerful wine with a tannic structure. Red berry fruit, earthy, gamey, and definitely a food wine. I loved it when I first tasted it, but it blossomed when enjoyed with the fatty rib cap. It was a reminder that I love Bordeaux.
On Sunday, with our leftovers out on the deck, we opened a 2000 Bahans Haute Brion. The nose was cassis and spice. The palate was cherry, mineral, and floral with a certain thinness that was noticeable, but the acidity kept it lively. Not unpleasant in any way, but surprising.