Notes from a dinner with friends while on a wine buying expedition:
1996 Pesquera - this crianza was showing quite well, with slightly funky cherry vanilla nose, good concentration and the tannins still slightly on the firm side. No rush. I have enjoyed the 94,95, and 96 vintages of this wine - all are continuing to drink well.2003 McCrea Sirocco - from Washington, this Rhone blend is 55% Grenache, 27% syrah, 14% mourvedre and 4% counoise. The Grenache comes through in the nose, and it is fairly ripe but not to the degree that you'd be thinking of Australia if you were tasting it blind. In fact it does a better job of emulating a Rhone than many Californian Rhone blends do. Good length and the fruit enjoyable but not too sweet nor over the top. I much prefer this to Cigar Volante, for instance.
1982 Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle - this one is an old friend - I split a case with my host on release and we have been drinking it back and forth for the last 20 years - his cellar is warmer than mine, so it has been interesting to note differences. My last tasting was a year ago when my friend also opened it (I brought an 82 La Lagune). Edges were browning a bit, medium garnet colour, warm slightly sweet nose with earth, soy and coffee notes, tannins now soft, smooth and long. All that a mature Rhone should be!