With friends last night while watching Super Bowl with a variety of "snacks"
1996 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard-Pale golden in the glass. Bright nose of meyer lemon and minerals. No signs of age on the palate with very smooth citrus flavors, a bit of almond and pronounced wet stone. "A"1998 Chave Hermitage-Nose of berries, red meat and smoke. WHile the tannins have begun to resolve the wine still needs a few more years to knit together. Plenty of brairy red berry notes and a bit of herb. Very smoky background notes. "B"
2001 Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot-Rich dark purple color. Thick, concentrated nose of vanilla and blackberry. A bit plummy on the palate, medium heavy bodied. Almost decadent mouthfeel and saturation with blackberry, plum, milk chocolate and oak notes. Needs time. "B +"1994 Harlan Estates Napa Cabernet-Dark inky purple. Brilliant nose of black cherry, blackberry, coffee, anise and vanilla. Very deep fruit on the palate with layers of flavors. Beautiful balance and concentration without weight. "A+"
1986 Chateau Haut Brion-Light red in the glass with a bit of brick. Very woodsy nose with a lot of cedar and wet leaves. A bit restrained on the palate with cherry, mushroom, leather, smoke and mineral. I gave it a couple of hours but no significant change. Tnanins were softer than expected. "B-"1995 Cos D' Estournel-Dark reddish purple with no signs of age. A whiff of Brett on opening but it blew off in a few minutes. Very pwoerful nose of ripe blackberry, cassis and plums. Plenty of spicy oak. Smooth and clean on the palate showing plenty of ripeness. Soft lush tannins. Very approachable now downright delicious! "A"
1995 Daimond Creek Gravelly Meadow-A bit cloudy dirty red in color. Still plenty of oak on the nose. Very sweet ripe fruit (some tasters actually thought it had RS) especially creme de cassis and red berries. Exotic spice and stones. "B+"