Luis Pato, Beiras 'vinhas velnas', 2001 Deeeeep black cherry colored. Strong camphor, juniper, yew and black-polished leather. Black cherry skin with plenty of strapping tannins, good acidity, cherry pits , and licorice root after the taste has been squeezed out. Needs time to sort itself out(5-7 years?). Beastly manly-wine. 13% old vine baga.
Chateau les Grand Murailles, St.Emillion, 1998
Deeply colored. Smoky black raspberry, echoing on the palate along with old blackcurrant, some cedar and old tobacco on the end. Tannins nearly completely melted away, compared to a bottle tried in May 2003. Like a cross between old & new world. A very nice seductive little wine with a touch of shortness on the finish the only gripe I might have. A-
Brickhouse, Pinot Noir, Brickhouse Vynd., 'les Dijonaise', 1999
A dark ruby red. Smooth black fruits with a smoky nose, along with wintergreen. In the mouth there's black cherry cola with cinnamon-apple baking spices and sprightly acidity balancing the smooth package. Revisitng the nose after opening: perfumed New England beach rose, sassafrass & ginseng roots. A-
Breton, Bourgueil,'Franc de Pied', 2004 Cloudy cherry juice color. Spring-like flowers and fresh strawberry aromas. Light strawberry juice with steeped herbs, light and refreshing, with a slightly spritzy ending. Quite nice, but uses le plastique. B+/A-
Pavillion Blanc du Chateau Margaux, Bordeaux, 1999
Light, almost white gold colored. Vanilla, lanolin, flaxseed oil on the nose, which corresponds to the palate, where one also finds lemon curd and oak spice on the finish. Medium-bodied with a rich feel. Still very youthful, delicious with broiled Coho salmon. Hides the 14.5% alcohol very well. B+/A-