What I Have Been Drinking This Week (2/13-2/19)

1999 Mumm DVX–Retail $50. I paid $33 at the winery.  Tasted 2/14/12.  We opened this for Valentine’s Day and it was a very pleasant surprise. We had a bottle of this at Christmas and it was rather listless. This bottle was bright and cheery with great citrus and even a hint of brioche. (All right, I have been told that ‘brioche’ is more than a tad bit pretentious. I guess I agree, but in my defense, I actually do know what brioche smells like–if you don’t, think ‘baking bread’ or something like that.)  Medium finish, lively sparkle. Outstanding. 92 points.

2002 Louis Latour Meursault–Retail ~$35.  I paid $22 at the PLCB.  Tasted 2/15/12. Over the last few years we have had a total of three of these and it seems as though the wine has reached its peak and is now declining.  After previously rating this 90 (8/2010) and 92 (6/2007) points, I give this bottle 89 points.  Sure, my tastes could have changed, I could have become more critical with age, or I could just be full of crap, but I feel as though this one has slipped a bit over the last few years (but, then, haven’t we all?).  Still very good with a bit of fruit and some vibrant acidity. Notes of lemon and a bit of vanilla and a medium finish.

2005 Patient Cottat Sancerre Rouge–Retail ~$20.  I paid $15 at an online retailer. Tasted 2/18/12.  This is a somewhat rare (at least in the US) Pinot Noir from Sancerre which is far better known for its Sauvignon Blanc.  Popped and poured. It has rounded out a bit more since the last time I had this, as the acidity is not as prominent. No one will never confuse this for a Burgundy, but it is not trying to be one. The wife was not as much of a  fan, but I thought it was very good. 88 points.

1988 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve–Retail ??.  I paid ~$30 from an online auction site.  Tasted 2/18/12.  Certainly, the Private Reserve has made a name for itself among Napa Cabs.  This was Mondavi’s flagship wine before Opus One.  I have been sitting on this for a while, not sure what to expect. The wine was in fine shape, but I was a tad bit disappointed–I wanted to be wowed. Popped and poured. Not much fruit left up front, but plenty of secondary elements of leather and tobacco. A bit austere on the palate, but still packed a punch with the tannins on the backend and a very nice finish. Outstanding, but most likely not what it once was.  91 points.

1985 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Cask–Retail ???.  I paid ~$18 from an online auction site.  Tasted 2/18/12.  Inglenook has had quite a history.  It was one of the first wineries to produce premium wine in California.  It was then shut down during Prohibition, only to reopen and regain its place as a premier Napa brand.  Eventually sold, it then became a value/jug wine.  Francis Ford Coppola had purchased the winery a few decades ago, and just last year purchased the ‘Inglenook’ trademark.  As for the wine: Popped and poured.  I really had no idea what to expect here, so this was a very pleasant surprise.  Very fruity nose and palate of darker red berry fruit.  Great balance with ample acidity and tannins that were fully integrated.  A delight in many ways.  Outstanding.  92 points.

2003 Louis Jadot Moulin-à-Vent Clos de Rochegrès Château des Jacques–Retail $25.  I paid $17 with an online retailer.  Tasted 2/19/12.  This comes from the Beaujolais region, and is therefore made from the gamay grape.  I had one of these a few years ago, but I had forgotten how good it was.  I did not know what to expect given the range of tasting notes on Cellar Tracker, particularly the more recent ones. This bottle had a wonderful nose of red fruit, mocha and a hint of mint (but that could have been heat–I was paying a little too much attention to the hockey game at that point). On the palate, I was surprised by the rich mouth feel and the forward fruit given this is a Beaujolais with a few years on it. Also picked up some of the mocha on the back end. Medium finish. Really outstanding. Perhaps the best Beaujolais I have ever had.  93 points.

2003 Clos Pepe Estate Pinot Noir–Retail $50.  I paid $28 from an online auction.  Tasted 2/19/12.  Clos Pepe might be my #1 favorite single vineyard in this country.  OK not might.  It is my favorite site.  Ah, I love me my Clos Pepe.  Popped and poured.  That nose, that nose.  I call it eucalyptus but since I have no idea if that is really what it is, I am pretty much making crap up.  But this wine has it.  Great red berry fruit as well, but it seems as though this is fading a bit here.  Secondary anise and a bit of smokiness.  On the palate, this was a delight.  A bit of leather with the fruit.  Great long finish.  Outstanding. 92 points.

2006 B. Kosuge The Shop Pinot Noir–Retail $35.  I paid $22 at an online retailer.  Tasted 2/19/12.  I decided to pop this after the Clos Pepe (we had some friends over and, well, we needed another bottle) and I was worried–in my opinion, there are few pinots that could follow the Clos.  This one did and very, very well.  It helps that Byron Kosuge is a great wine maker.  This was younger and fruitier than the Clos Pepe, and almost as complex.  Outstanding as well.  91 points.