Tried this last night when I finally sat down for pasta at midnight:
1. HugCllrs AlbanVnyd/EdnaVlly Grenache (14.1%) 1999: Black color; some reduced/stinky/gunflint/carbon arc nose clears after a hlf hr to toasty/smokey/pungent/Fr.oak/carbon arc/ozone intense boysenberry/blackberry/Grenache some high-toned/strawberry bit dusty slight roasted/BarBQueSauce complex nose; tart huge blackberry/boysenberry/licorice/Grenache some high-toned/strawberry/Alpine strawberry rather roasted/charred/smokey bit roasted/carbon arc intense/complex flavor; very long bit hard/tannic pungent/smokey/Fr.oak huge/blackberry/boysenberry/Grenache some high-toned/Alpine strawberry/cranberry complex finish; needs another 2-5 yrs perhaps; some like an Alban Grenache, some like a ClarendonHills w/ structure from the Rhone $38.00
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And Augie gets his very own BloodyPulpit:
1. This was, I thought, a stunning wine. So stunning I drank the whole friggin' btl myself and didn't leave any to try the next day (or later in the next day, I guess) or for my tasting group.
I'm always a bit skittish on opening one of Augie's early wines. They sometimes could be pretty reduced, a bit funky/stinky, sometimes weird bacterial stuff in there. This was a bit funky at first but blew off within 30 minutes to become a fabulous version of Grenache from Calif; one of the best I've had in some time. This wine was made down in JohnAlban's wnry.
Augie's wines have improved considerably in the clean department, yet still are chock-a-block w/ character. They're always must-buys for my group. Alas, as Augie's winemaking skills have ramped up, his bowling skills have plummeted.
Tom