George DuBoeuf Morgon Beaujolais is a real winner
Before I get off track, let me shoot you a George DuBoeuf Morgon Jean Descombes Beaujolais 2009. Regulars are well aware I rarely critique Bo Julius. The 2009 were exquisite and I have continued to exploit them here. I recently sampled the GDB Morgon and it's a pip. Lovely red-purple, the Jean Descombes is lush with a big Gamay fruity nose with some minerals and smoke. The palate is loaded with black cherries, raspberries, tea roses, ganache and plenty of spice throughout. The finish is very long; the flavors reverberate, but end cleanly. Drink through 2013; 94 points (one price point). Get this for $145/case.
A recent ad from one of my favorite wine shoppes somehow didn't quite ring right. Normally, I am quite comfortable dealing with these folks. I couldn't quite put my finger on the unease. On review, I noted they claimed the 2008 Dominus was almost as well received as the 1994. The 2008, the most recent release, was rated 99 points by Parker. Keep in mind he is known by all his regular readers as a lover of all things Christian Moueix, owner of the Chateaux Petrus labels in Bordeaux, and of Dominus-Napanook in Napa.
For a bit of background, Dominus and its ancillary Napanook were initially planted in 1835 by Geo. Yount, founder of Yountville. After passing through Hugh LaRue, noted for his root stock horticultural efforts - some say his failure to heed advice from the French and SA concerning phylloxera (root louse) may have abetted an infestation that occurred in the ‘80s in California - the winery was snatched up by Charlie Daniels, who named it Inglenook, home to the noted Inglenook Cabs of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Although most of you whippersnappers are too young to remember the era, these Cabs were one of its premier accomplishments of Napa wine production. Their renown established the Rutherford Bench. But I digress.
The niggling unease caused me to go to the ‘net, where I soon discovered that the 1994 was being sold for $240, while the 2008, the recent release, was going for $167 and needed time. Both rated 99 points. Looking back through my archives, I noted the I had given the 1997 a pretty good review, so I looked it up. Rated 96 by many, it initially was sold for $135/bottle and I said "keep your powder dry." Well, load up and fire, buckos. A recent search found it being sold for $145/bottle. If you are a big-buck foreclosure expert or into farm commodities, this is the bargain for you.
The '97 is saturated, ruby-red, and a huge, multifaceted bouquet of plum, currant, leather, smoked meat, herbs, coffee, lead pencil, sandalwood, dark chocolate, licorice and brown sugar greets the nose. Ya got to take your time and snort those fumes, gang. Very distinct flavors of plum, leather, hot gravel, jammy cherry and lead pencil. Well-balanced wine with big fruit sweetness; its structure and the strong, thoroughly ripe tannins formerly noted have ameliorated with age, but still coat the entire palate. Very long and subtle. Do not confuse the Napanook with Dominus. Although Napanook is a nice little wine, it is not worth its $45 price tag. The 2008, a very good ‘07 Dominus, will come down in price also. Too much inventory.
A real bargain to be found locally is a six-pack of Far Niente Chardonnay 2009 priced right at your door for $210. Green-tinged, golden-colored with complex honeydew, pear, fig and apricot aromas nuanced by toasty vanillin from oak. They continue as flavors. Drink through 2018. No rush to buy the 2009. There were 27,900 cases produced, but I expect the price to hold.
Still nothing going on down at the bridge to nowhere. Saw all seven guys running like rabbits for their cars and then home at 1 p.m., Friday.
They left so fast their trowels hadn't hit the water yet when they nearly ran down the 20 troopers and flagmen directing traffic. Talk about aggressive driving.
