Recent currency rates make good French wines more affordable

Recent dollar strength, relative to the Euro and most world currencies, has placed many high-quality 2009 and 2010 French wines at about a 20 percent discount from their pre-release prices. Hope you kept your powder dry. Here’s a brief summary of my review of Chateau La Lagune Haut Medoc 3eme Grand Cru, 60 percent Cab, 30 Merlot and 10 Petit Verdot blend. Dark garnet, opens cherries, earth, espresso, flowers, spice and a soupçon of fennel. Medium body, with exceptional color/tannin/ acidity/fruit balance, long finish, drink 2016-30, 92 points at $75. I recently sampled some and am raising my rating to 94 points and 2018 start. Buy under $65. These are just starting into their dumb time. Aromas will take coaxing. Keep your eyes peeled. Dollar weakness makes this a terrific time for cellar building.

I spoke with Larry O’Brien, master sommelier, moderator for the 100-point tasting at SoDelFest, “the hippest wine, food and music charity event” to be held Saturday, Oct. 8, at Independence Hall on Samuel Adams Circle near Millsboro just off Route 5. Go to www.sodelfest.com for info and ticket purchases. Jackson Family Estate under the auspices of Nick Sharp sponsors the 100-point event, with five wines at 95 points or better, and one 100-point wine valued at $300. There is limited participation, so put down the paper and act now. Most of us know and enjoy the Kendall-Jackson label but I’m betting few are aware that JFE, whose CoB is Barbara Banke, wife of founder Jess Jackson (deceased) also owns: La Crema, Champs du Reves, Hartford Family, (Matanzas Creek, Arrowood, Stonestreet, Cambria, all presided over by women winemakers who claim they are paid more than the men they employ. Lol, couldn’t resist!) and Gran Moraine in Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon, among others. They also own properties in Australia, South Africa and Chile. I wish to thank them for their generosity with this gift and hope many of you will support their effort.

Back to Larry, a self-educated master sommelier. This is a nearly impossible task. During our conversation, O’Brien claimed he applied for his second restaurant job at Wine Merchant, a Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning restaurant, in Akron, Ohio, wearing his beer truck driving uniform. Here, under the tutelage of John Piscazzi, he began to learn of wine. His next stop was the Ritz in Cleveland, where Horst Schultze took over his training followed by stints at Berns’ Steakhouse, Tampa, another Grand Award winner with one of the biggest lists I ever saw, and Lagasse’s in Orlando. In 2010, Jackson Family picked him up as their Wine Champion. His enthusiasm about this Jackson Family job was apparent even over the phone. The man is truly qualified and very informative. BTW, his first hospitality job involved 2 1/2 years slinging chicken at KFC. Always a pleasure to converse with a guy who is humble and credits his teachers. Best wishes for continued success at JFE, Larry. “If I see farther than others it is because I stand on the shoulders of giants,” - Isaac Newton, not President Obama.

For those in the restaurant or wine trade, my friends Jane and Kate at Creative Palate informed me that the Oakville Growers Association is producing their biennial Taste of Oakville walk-around in Carnegie Hall, in NYC, on Nov. 16. You can get an Oakville map, the particulars and register here: http://oakvillewinegrowers.org/Events.

Oakville AVA is home to many famous Napa vineyards: UC Davis, Harlan, To Kalon, Martha’s, Oakville Ranch, Opus, Au Paradis, and Screaming Eagle are a few. Don’t wait! Sign up now. You must be vetted to attend. Creative Palateers do a great job. I truly enjoy their wine-related holiday décor pix.

Break out your cigars, smoking jacket and old leather chair. Remy Martin Louis the 13th Cognac just hit the market at Sherry Lehman. You can buy a 1.75L bottle for only $6,995 or $2,995/750ml. Stop holding your breath! It comes in a hand-blown, Baccarat-designed crystal bottle. For those who find that a bit steep, a 50 ml bottle (miniature) is only $595; 50 ml for the metrically challenged is 1.69 fluid ounces. Garden Gourmet price in 1999 was 750ml, cost $800 and we sold it for $50/oz. I think we sold two bottles. It wasn’t a great QPR, to me. Nice bottle though.