Storyline and Notes: 
George Heritier

Saturday

This was the second rendition of what is likely to become a “Toledo” tradition, as Chairman Moe and Larry Meehan had a joint celebration of their birthdays, which either coincide or are close enough to the offline to warrant such festivities.  Since Larry’s big day fell on this very date, it wasn’t hard to figure out when to sing the song, pass along a few gag gifts and eat the ice cream and cake.  And what a cake it was, complete with RIP headstone for “Over-the-hill” Moe and a red rose for Larry, who is a veritable spring chicken by comparison.  And we do hope that their respective Swisher Sweets ® and wicker-encrusted Chianti brings them hours, no, make that minutes of sensory pleasure.

Oh yes, we DID drink some wine as well…

NV Champagne Krug Grand Cuvee: Medium straw with a fine active bead, this is all stones, minerals and yeast, being bone dry, intense and absolutely delicious.  I could drink this all the time.

NV Champagne Montaudon Grand Rose Brut: This pale salmon colored bubbly also has the fine, vigorous bead, and exudes a musky nose of yeast and bread dough, and while it’s also very dry and intense, it’s not as concentrated as the Krug.  Still, it ain’t bad at all.

1996 J. Dauvissat Chablis “Les Forest”: Pale straw, this smells like a cellar floor (in a good way!), and caused Kerr to enthuse “tons of limestone!”  One attendee was heard to say that this paled in comparison to a ‘97 Dauvissat Vaillons that was also present, but that one apparently flew completely beneath our radar, as there were many more bottles open than any one taster could hope to get to.  As it was, I really liked this, and so did Alan, who agreed with me that we could drink this stuff all the time.

1996 Domaine du Closel Savennieres: This pale straw made an encore appearance, and like last year, was an excellent match with the steamed mussels.  It is showing somewhat differently since then however, with lots of anise and fennel on the nose and added mineral, chalk, apple and pear in the flavors, with the requisite acidity.  Kerr and I enjoyed this one, agreeing that we could drink it all the time!

We missed out on so many other whites that by all reports were terrific, but we didn’t want to miss out on the following number, so we switched to red.

1973 Chateau Montrose St. Estephe: A slightly cloudy ruby garnet, this features a warm, friendly bouquet that Alan characterized as “mature forest floor on the nose,” following through with sweet spice and cedar in the flavors, with a velvet-like texture.  Brad Ballinger was probably correct when he opined that this is a few years past its prime, but damn if it isn’t still good anyway!

1984 Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello: About this ever so slightly rusty dark garnet, Alan enthused, “Oh my God, this is wonderful, fabulous; still racy acidity!”  It’s all sweet cassis and black cherries, with that unique Draper touch, and was my WOTN.

1986 Heitz Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Martha’s Vineyard: Here was perhaps the most controversial wine of the two nights; some people thought it was corked, and hated it, while others didn’t think it was corked, but didn’t like it, either.  Kim, Kerr and this taster found it to be quite nice however, once the considerable early mustiness blew off.  Mark H. described it as “almost pure eucalyptus,” but by the time we got to it, that element had toned down, and sweet cassis and red currant came more to the fore.  As Mr. Spock might have said, “Fascinating…” 

1993 J.L. Chave Hermitage: This dark garnet is all smoke, garrigue and “a really good cured bacon,” according to Kerr.  Moe described it as “a little lighter (than better vintages), but still, wow!”  No argument here.

1974 Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve: Dark garnet, and perhaps surprisingly, not too rusty, this is considerably lighter than the Monte or the Martha’s, but bigger than the Montrose, and still shows nice rich Cabernet fruit.

1990 Chateau Figeac St. Emilion: Dark garnet, with warm, friendly chocolate, cassis and red currant.

1982 Chateau Canon St. Emilion: The ruby dark garnet color isn’t too rusty here, and there’s nice, rich, elegant red fruit.

1993 Ridge York Creek Cabernet Sauvignon: Typically dark garnet, with, dare I say it, all that Draper perfume!  Rich, sweet and lovely, while still very big and chewy; a wonderful match for andoullie sausage.

1991 Voge Cornas: Dark garnet, with a little rust, this is a very earthy wine, with “beet root, a little lavender and a massive streak of dark chocolate,” in the words or my worthy constituent Mr. Kerr; these provided nice accents to the lovely red fruit.

At that point, I had to put pen and pad down, as I’d had enough of scribing for one night.  It should be noted however, that a bottle of 1999 Ridge Dusi Zinfandel ATP was showing much better than the acidic monster that was opened at “Toledo” two years ago, shortly after it was released.  The 1994 and ’96 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignons were both nice, despite being much too young.  And a ‘99 J.L. Chave Hermitage showed fabulous promise of things to come once it’s in the neighborhood of 10-15 years old.

To be honest, I spent less time worrying about taking notes on this night, and more time enjoying the company of our friends, who over the past four years have become like family.  “Cousin” Larry had his notebook open and his pen working overtime though, so as in past years, he was able to add his TNs, and they’re most appreciated. 

Was this the best “Toledo” yet?  Who can say for sure, but from the glowing email comments of the participants after everyone had made it safely home, it was as good as any so far, and that’s not half bad!

Now if only they could exorcize those trolls from the pool…