Notes from steak lunch at Mamou with Jojo, Arnie, Helen, Johnny and Monty.
Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux 1998 - Very dark. Meaty nose with a slightly green component. Medium-bodied and well-integrated. Dry and smooth with lots of fruit concentration. Preserved fruit, plums and smoke. Long finish. Just peaking now but should last quite a few years. Beautiful wine.
Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon 1993 - Nose like tamarind extract we use here for soothing a baby's gums. A little hot. Sweetish. A bit simple after the Margaux. Shows some menthol and Chinese preserved plums and cherries. Very smooth and drinking nicely but should really be drunk up.
Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc 2001 - Great classic tar and roses nose. Surprisingly forward wine although it does need time to integrate. Tannic and acidic but finishes quite sweet. This will probably peak relatively early but should remain there for a long time. Went very nicely with the steak.
Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon 1993 - Very dark, youthful color. Extremely smooth. Spicy. Lots of fruit. I thought this showed better than the Spottswoode.
Alban Vineyard Abbott Viognier TBA 2000 - All varietal character seems to have vanished from this wine. Deep gold. Very rich, honeyed, viscous and concentrated. So intensely sweet it stood up to the pecan pie. Over the top wine. Excellent and a little goes a long, long way.
