02.09.08 / Bachelor Party Wines at Joseph's

Descriptions to follow. The winner of the night was the Two Hands by far! Another big Shiraz that gets great reviews that I have been avoiding, but Jamie bought and brought it - and it was delicious!

12.25.07 1998 Ch. Duhart-Millon

Jim brought this wine over for Xmas dinner. I was going to pair it with that 1998 Grivot (which was corked). This Bordeaux went very nicely with the cassoulet I made. Typical green pepper, firm tannins.

After awhile, all Bordeaux at a certain price point tastes about the same to me. Good thing I liked this one!

12.21.07 2003 Ch. Rollan de By Cru Bourgeois

I love that the winemaker tells you that this is a wine for the bourgeois. From Medoc, a mostly Merlot blend with 20% Cab Sauvignon and Cab Franc, and a bit of Petit Verdot. Starts off soft and fruity with black and blue berries supported by stiff tannins. A somewhat serious Bordeaux for $50 on the BONDA list. Notes of allspice, leather, dark chocolate and roasted coffee beans. I remember Jamie did not like this wine when we first tasted it - but it had been in his glass for a good hour or so.

It starts off with a bang, but does loose after the hour and a bit mark - although most people would finish the bottle before then anyway, so does it really matter? Again, hopefully this is not a "bargain" wine, 'cause I like it.

12.20.07 2004 Ch. Haut Baradieu

A Bordeaux from St. Estephe (possible my favorite Bordeaux region) that I thought was pleasant and inexpensive when I bought it for the BONDA list. Super fruit forward off the bat with tight tannins and a sexy mauve color. Totally quaffable for its youth. Tell tale green pepper and thyme on the nose with dusty dark berries on the palate.

It needs a little while for the tannins to dissipate, but a $35 Bordeaux at a restaurant this good cannot be found anywhere else.

Knowing very little about Bordeaux, hopefully it is not a wine usually found in a bargain bin in the supermarket!