4/8/2024 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

One of the only dozen or so non-Old World wines in my stash, this makes a pretty competing case for dipping into Napa every couple decades. This is probably at, or very close to, peak. Decanted to start dinner, this is a beautiful Napa cab.

3/16/2024 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

The d'Yquem did double-duty at a milestone birthday dinner at the Inn at Little Washington, paired with first the foie gras course and then again with desert. Absolutely stunning, the sweetness balanced perfectly by that incredible d'Yquem acidity. Tied with the '89 Montrose for my wine of the night.
Wines:
Krug Grande Cuvée NV;
2010 Bonneau du Martray Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru;
2010 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru;
2009 d'Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs;
1989 Chateau Montrose; and
1988 Chateau d'Yquem (750 ml).

3/16/2024 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Opened with no decant for a milestone birthday dinner at the Inn at Little Washington, this was a stunning bottle. Gorgeous wine at 35 years. Neck and neck with the D'Yquem for wine of the night.
Wines:
Krug Grande Cuvée NV;
2010 Bonneau du Martray Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru;
2010 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru;
2009 d'Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs;
1989 Chateau Montrose; and
1988 Chateau d'Yquem (750 ml).

3/16/2024 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

1st borrow of a six-pack and opened to pair with the middle courses of Popped to a milestone birthday dinner at the Inn at Little Washington. This was the only bottle opened that was not at its peak. Decanted at the start of dinner, this was still a big wine - big fruits, and tannin still evident (tho not overwhelming). But it had finally opened up when I revisited this at the end of the meal and you had a sense of how stunning this will be in a few more years.
Wines:
Krug Grande Cuvée NV;
2010 Bonneau du Martray Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru;
2010 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru;
2009 d'Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs;
1989 Chateau Montrose; and
1988 Chateau d'Yquem (750 ml).

3/16/2024 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Opened to accompany the cheese course of a milestone birthday dinner at the Inn at Little Washington, this bottle was actually in a better place than the Clos des Ducs. No decant, but very soft tannins and really lovely red cherry fruit. Great pairing with the Inns fabulous cheese cart.
Wines:
Krug Grande Cuvée NV;
2010 Bonneau du Martray Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru;
2010 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru;
2009 d'Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs;
1989 Chateau Montrose; and
1988 Chateau d'Yquem (750 ml).

3/16/2024 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

The third of 3 bottles purchased at auction and all 3 were stellar. This was the second wine of the evening for a milestone birthday dinner at the Inn at Little Washington. Beautiful citrus and stone fruits, excellent acidity and paired wonderfully with several seafood courses.

Wines:
Krug Grande Cuvée NV;
2010 Bonneau du Martray Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru;
2010 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru;
2009 d'Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs;
1989 Chateau Montrose; and
1988 Chateau d'Yquem (750 ml).

3/16/2024 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Popped to start the festivities for a milestone birthday dinner at the Inn at Little Washington, this bottle predates the current Edition numbering so it obviously included some older vintages. This was drinking beautifully, with a delicate bead and excellent acidity, great depth and complexity, tho not as "yeasty" as I usually think of with Krug. A perfect way to start.
Wines:
Krug Grande Cuvée NV;
2010 Bonneau du Martray Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru;
2010 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru;
2009 d'Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs;
1989 Chateau Montrose; and
1988 Chateau d'Yquem (750 ml).

3/15/2024 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Nice bottle drinking well, tho still young.

12/31/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Drank on NYE, with cassoulet. It's fascinating to see the differing opinions on this wine. My first bottle of 6 - I was stunned by how youthful it seemed. Very dark, obviously big, but not overwhelming (and certainly not from the alcohol). Lovely spice, lots of fruit. I really enjoyed this, and look forward to tracking the remaining bottles. It will also be interesting to see how this producer, in particular, handles the increased temps from global warming. Much like Bordeaux has better learned to handle the warmer vintages post-2003, Châteauneuf-du-Pape has hopefully done the same to prevent its Grenache from being a look-alike for Sine Qua Non. (Fwiw as a comp, my go-to CdPs are Pegau Cuvee Reservee and Vieux Donjon; both of whose '10s I love.)

12/31/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

3rd NYE Champagne, still very young, but really lovely.

12/31/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

2nd Champagne of NYE, such a great Champagne, and this was drinking beautifully. Vibrant acidity, beautiful fruit.

12/31/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

First NYE Champagne, really lovely, brioche, fine bead.

10/6/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Decanted at the start of dinner at La Piquette in D.C., this absolutely benefited from the decant. I was surprised at how youthful this bottle (purchased from the old Sam's Wines in Chicago, probably about 25 years ago) was - still dark in color with obvious tannin, but in the glass with the entrees, this was everything you could want from a '96 First Growth - cedar, tobacco, leather, currants - beautiful nose, with fruit and structure to match. This bottle, at least, would have had years ahead of it.

10/6/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Drink with appetizers at La Piquette, my favorite French bistro in D.C. - love, love, LOVE this producer and especially love this wine. Drinking beautifully now with no sign of oxidation.

10/26/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

I think Bouchard's 1er Cru Whites (especially the Perrières and Genevrières) are among the best values in Premier Cru White Burgundy. The '18s are drinking well.

10/22/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Drink at the Meadowlands before the NY Giants/Washington football game - first bottle of a case. This seemed to be drinking very well, soft red fruits, but I look forward to trying again with better glasses in a less distracting location.

10/22/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Probably every bit as good as the bottle of the '10 from earlier in the week, but discounting a point due to the not to great glasses. (To be fair, we were drinking it at the Meadowlands before the NY Giants/Washington football game.)

10/16/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

A bigger wine than the '09, this is starting to really hit its drinking window. An outstanding Cuvee Reservee, this should have at least a decade ahead of it.

10/9/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

One of my favorite CdPs, and drinking beautifully.

9/30/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Paired with the stuffed quail course at a wine dinner at Equinox in D.C. - this was open for business and quite lovely, softer red fruits and a beautiful nose.

9/30/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Opened two bottles at a wine dinner for 12 at Equinox in D.C. Absolutely no premox here - both bottles were outstanding, and probably the group's favorite of the night.

9/15/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Decanted at the start of dinner; by the time we turned to this, it was just stupid good. I'm sure I've missed checking off a few bottles of this, but am hoping I've got 5 or 6 left. This was one of the best young Bordeaux I've ever had. It's even better now.

9/2/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Very nice now, and sure to improve with more time in bottle.

9/3/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Lighter colored, but beautiful nose and fruit - drinking very well.

9/7/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Always consistently delicious.

8/31/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Always one of my very favorite Château - this was the first of six bottles of the '05. Still young, but drinking beautifully - years ahead.

8/31/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

First bottle of this and I thought it was drinking really well - lovely fruit, acidity.

8/31/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Better as it warms up.

9/2/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Paired with the serving course at a dinner with friends at Field & Main in Marshall, Va (outstanding restaurant). This wine, regardless of the vintage, continues to amaze. This is drinking really well right now, in a great place with lovely '09 fruit and nice acidity to match.

9/2/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Paired with the first course at a dinner with friends at Field & Main in Marshall, Va (outstanding restaurant). This wine, regardless of the vintage, continues to amaze. Thank goodness it's not a Grand Cru vineyard - the quality would price it out of my range.

9/2/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Opened to start dinner with friends at Field & Main Restaurant in Marshall, VA. The group loved this and justifiably - probably in s perfect spot, with the yeasty brioche notes not overwhelming. A lovely lemon citrus note of the finish.

8/6/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Very consistent - really nice Blanc de Blancs.

8/6/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

At Wolftrap pre-Jason Mraz concert - thought this was drinking beautifully.

8/6/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Nice bottle, but a little too strawberry for my personal taste.

5/8/2022 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Still pretty young, but lots of promise.

7/25/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Opened for a friend's wine group at Queen's English in D.C. - this was showing very well and the group really enjoyed it. Great acidity/fruit, and paired very well with the food.

7/25/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Opened for a friend's wine group at Queen's English on D.C. - unlike the bottle from just 2 night's prior, this bottle opened up beautifully and seemed to be one of the group's favorites. Really lovely red fruit; great nose. Plan on opening the '09 and '10 side-by-side sometime soon.

7/23/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

This bottle never seemed to quite show everything. Good, but not great.

7/23/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

This has been consistently outstanding, and this bottle was no exception. Looking forward to seeing how my '19s and '20s compare with the '17s and '18s.

5/28/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

2nd bottle of 14 from two different retailers. (Opened to compare to the bottle from the other source.) Both were very good.

5/28/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

1st bottle of 14 (from 2 different retailers), young but still very good.

7/14/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Drank with friends over dessert at La Piquette in D.C. - another excellent showing with vibrant acidity to match the sweetness, and a brilliant nose. The friend who expressed not being a big fan of sweet wines was impressed at how well this paired with dessert.

7/14/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

After finishing our entrees at La Piquette in D.C. (if on the menu, order the veal chop!) and before we could order dessert, the husband of the friends with whom we were dining looked at me and said, "how about another red?". In the spirit of "you can't take it with you", I reached into the wine bag and pulled out the '03 Pichon Lalande. (It was this or the 2000 Léoville Poyferré.) This bottle has really hit a really beautiful spot in the last year or two.
Unlike several other '03 Bordeaux which started drinking well relatively young (and yes, I drank several bottles of this too early), this one needed some time to fully express itself. This has become a lovely bottle, with no elements of over-ripeness, and I'm looking forward to opening a bottle of the 2000 soon.

7/14/2023 - DCHawkeye wrote:

Drank with entrees at La Piquette in D.C. with friends - the pairing of the '09 Chevillon Cailles with La Piquette's veal chop was darn near perfect. This bottle seemed perhaps slight bigger/broader than recent bottles, but was drinking beautifully. I've been trying to decide whether it's time to open the first of my case of '09 Chevillon Vaucrains, perhaps side by side with the Cailles.

7/14/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Drank with appetizers to start dinner with friends at La Piquette in D.C. This didn't seem as open initially as prior bottles, but I'll blame that on the summer heat, as this came straight to dinner from the 'fridge and was right next to the ice pack in the wine bag. By the second pour, this was strutting more of its stuff. Tho perhaps not as fresh as the '17 and '18 (and I can't wait to dig into my '19s and '20s), but no real discernable oxidation. I will be quite curious to see if the wax capsules added with the '17 vintage work to stave off premox.

5/11/2023 - DCHawkeye wrote:

Something was off with this bottle; maybe slightly corded

2/4/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Decanted at dinner at Marcel's in DC. A stunning wine - it reminds you how amazing the 2000 Bordeaux vintage was/is.

6/10/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Not super complex, but drinking well.

6/10/2023 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine:

Drinking well, with upside.

6/3/2023 - DCHawkeye wrote:

Still young, but drinking well, and always one of the great value 1ers. This should get even better.