Marita and I were looking forward to a pleasant evening at home together only to discover that our cheese had spoiled and that we utterly lacked in ingredients out of which to forge dinner. Of course we ended up at a restaurant, the same one, in fact, as the night of the Cameron Clos Electrique shared with Tom (refer back to a previous post). We left it up to Scott to choose what we would eat while I popped open a bottle of Az. Agr. Ortella's "Le Creete" made from Trebbiano de Lugana. A very interesting wine that retails for about $10 and reminds me quite a lot of Sauvingon Blanc mixed with Pinot Grigio. Loads of grapefruit rushed out of the glass and assaulted my nostrils. Over the top grapefruit sometimes turns me off, and in this case I was a little apprehensive, but after some time in the glass it settled down and displayed notes of lime and thai peanut sauce. The palate revealed similar notes as the nose with a bit of vanilla extract. Good, vibrant acidity. A nice uncomplicated wine and a great summer quaffer. (Dishes eaten while enjoying this wine: zucchini soup and a butternut squash lasagna).
(Intermezzo of Arugula and Citrus salad).
I decanted the bottle of 2001 La Grave à Pomerol before we left the house as it did have some sediment. For some reason, I expected this wine to be nearing its plateau of drinkability. I found that I was sadly mistaken. Oak on the nose with a slight leafy component and sweet spice. The Cab Franc in evidence with vegetal undertones. Vanilla on the palate with some mocha and red cherry fruit (think chocolate covered cherries dipped in a latté, wrapped in wet leaves). To me this wine needs at least five more years to come together, if not more. It may be a little deficient in fruit to hold that long, but I have hopes that the Moueix firm knows what the are doing. A very soft palate with the tannins virtually all integrated. Later, evolving with raspberry and still a lot of vanilla. And the smell of a humidor: cedar and tobacco. Marita said it smelled of, "carrot cake." Low acid, which surprised me. A little hot on the nose, but balanced on the palate. (Drunk while eating a cheese plate)
I saved about a half a glass worth and tried it the following evening, but it failed to better itself. The vegetal notes only became more pronounced. If you have this in your cellar, hold for another 5-7 years, but I make no guarantees.
A little background: La Grave à Pomerol is owned by Christian Moueix, whose firm owns about half of all the chateaux in this appellation, it seems like sometimes. The vineyard covers 21.5 acres and is planted with 85% Merlot and 15% Cab Franc. The annual production is about 30,000 bottles. It is a medium priced Pomerol that one can usually find for $50-70.
The wine that probably edged out the Pomerol on this particular evening: a 2005 Roberto Strucchi "Coltibuono" Chianti Classico, poured from a half bottle. Very primary at the moment. A nose of rubber bike tire and rosemary or pine sap with a bit of sweet spice. On the palate it is very well integrated with a vibrant acidity and fine balance. A nice dried sour red fruit aspect. Light to medium bodied, one could almost mistake it for a white wine. Needs food, but incredibly refreshing nonetheless. Evolving, with notes of plums and candied wild strawberries, honey comb, sweet melted butter, and raw meat. Very interesting. Marita said it smelled like, "tarragon chicken with gravy and dinner rolls." Scott agreed. I guess I'm way out of my league with these two around.
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