On August 10 we celebrated our 15th anniversary with two wines from our wedding vintage, 2002. What a delight to find them both going strong, like us.
Lang & Reed, Cabernet Franc, Premier Etage, Napa Valley 2002
Excellent color, pure, dark ruby, quite youthful still. Lovely nose, fragrant and slightly heady, with dark, rich fruit, a whiff of roses, cured tobacco leaf with Cab Franc’s herbaceous notes, with gravel and Napa’s dusty earth notes, all with a note of cocoa powder. Same notes on the palate, with black raspberry and black currant, classic Napa earth and leather with a touch of cigar box, all with some peppery spice; lots of spicy tannin on a nice medium-long finish. Full bodied and penetrating, succulent and juicy in texture, with dark, rich fruit, all supported by excellent acidity. Excellent quality and polish. A transparent expression of both Napa and Cab Franc. Youthful in structure still, showing its maturity in its lovely, elegant fruit and excellent balance. Very food friendly. Shows just as well on day 2. Best in the next 5 - 10 years. An impressive and lovely Cab Franc 3.5 Stars [8/10/17]
Chateau Raymond-Lafon, Sauternes 2002
Great color, golden orange, with green reflections. Wonderful nose, very rich but fresh, with great depth, laden with apricots, tropical fruits and coconut, with loads of honey, fragrant orange blossom, lots of botrytis-imparted cinnamon and allspice, all underlaid with abundant stone/mineral. On the palate, fresh, ripe pear and honeydew melon, apricot, and fig, all of that overlaid with orange marmalade, a hint of mango, a touch candied pineapple, lots of wonderful toasted coconut, all drenched in honey and nectar, with cinnamon and allspice, and lots of mineral. Long, wonderful finish, with touches of toasted pecan and hazelnut. Full bodied and intense, with exceptional richness and viscosity supported by excellent citrusy acidity (with a bit of a sweet tart edge to it). This is an exceptionally high-quality Sauternes, intensely rich and yet with elegant balance, the combination of which reminds me of the outstanding 2001 vintage in Sauternes; stylistically, this reminds of its neighbor d’Yquem. Would be absolutely killer with coconut cream pie! Still somewhat primary, there is no question of this going another 15, perhaps even 20 years. A wonderful Sauternes in every sense, and I will be getting more of it! 4 Stars [8/10/17]