Hello again.
I still don't make it to the computer too much, but after I move, I will do better. The house is coming along slowly. They are supposed to be texturing the walls in the morning. But I do have green board in the wine cellar/closet and a hole where the BreezeAire 3000 will go. I have also not been drinking much wine. Seems Corona is more refreshing during these hot Texas days and nights.
I spent a week in Minneapolis, MN recently, and found time to go to Haskell's. While there I picked up the following:
6 bottles 1996 Chateau Clarke 6 bottles 2000 Chateau Clarke 1 bottle 1995 Chateau Gruaud Larose 1 bottle 1996 Penfold's Grange 1 bottle 1999 Chateau Rieussec (375) 1 bottle 1996 J.J. Prum Spatlese, the only bottle they had 1 bottle 1997 J.J. Prum Spatlese, the only bottle they had 5 bottles 2002 Deinhard BeerenAuslese (375) 1 bottle 2000 Napanook 1 bottle 2002 Rosenblum Rockpile Zin 1 bottle 2001 Ridge Sonoma Station ZinI also picked up 2 bottles of 2001 Chateau De Pez at Siegel's in Dallas.
I wanna open a bottle really soon. I am saving the zins for my Zinful Party and Art unveiling (if you can get to North East Texas in December, you're invited.). I am looking at opening either (with a 2" medium rare ribeye): A bottle of each 1996 and 2000 Clarke or The 1995 Larose and 1999 Gloria.
What do yall think of these choices? Or is there a better combination?
Now, I don't know how long to decant the Clarke, the Larose and should I decant the Gloria? My real question is, when decanting, does the decanter and contents need to be in cellar temps? If a wine is decanted for a couple of hours (say, in the dining room) wont it be above serving temp?
The last time I opened a bottle of 1999 Gloria, it tasted, umm, plain. Not like water, but no fruit, virtually tasteless. Still had a kick. Was it past it's prime? Bad storage? I think I am very sensitive to TCA, and it did not seem corked.
I appreciate each and every one of your posts. I feel bad that I ask and ask, but don't contribute. But, I will (soon)!
If any of you run across any bottles of 1998 J.J. Prum Spatlese, lemme know. Thats all I need to fill in my consecutive vertical. K&L just got my order for 2003's
Thanks,
Walter