By: Danni DiVino
Let me take you back in time. Not a generation ago, but just far enough back to a time that seems a little distant.
So much was made of the famous 2000 Bordeaux vintage. And as a result, the futures market nearly cornered all of the famous bottles. This happened in spite of the fact that the great 1997 Napa vintage was on shelves available for sale at the same time as the 2000 futures. Indeed, wine fans had their pick of two vintages of the century.... but one was still in barrel. Still, the 2000 Bordeaux outstripped demand.
Wine retailers well primed with a decade of smirking away the too frequent question "...can you show me where I can find your Silver Oak” now found themselves well suited to handle "where's your Bordeaux futures list" with a certain panache.
But for a few of us, a handful those special bottles made their way into our cellars. And now some of those bottles are reaching their good years. Nearly ten years of waiting and gentile care are finally paying off. In my cellar, nestled in the center is a prized case of Carruades de Lafite, the product of the young vines of the world most esteemed Chateau.
Meanwhile back in the new world....
After the super rich 1997, Napa hit a few interesting years. The 1998 El Nino vintage caused growers great grief, often described as "forgettable." And while the 1999 was a rebound, the 2000 hit the market with a resounding thud. A little diligent hunting here and there paid off, uncovering good bottles. And still today many bottles of the 2000 vintage remain unsold. A case of one of Napa's great “Chateau” found its way into my collection.
It’s ironic that the first of my 2000 Carruades Lafite went down with an old friend that I've spent just sparse time with since......2000. And for comparison purposes I brought along a Heitz Bella Oaks 2000 for the purposes of showing a generational vintage versus one that, well, purportedly lacked passion.
That's the set up.
Neither bottle was decanted, but as dinner drifted from Panzanella, to Filet Mignon & a Scallop Risotto, and ended on an exceptional bread pudding, a five full hours of effortless conversation offered each bottle the time to open up nicely.
First the Lafite. Tight from the start, the bottle showed little nose and even less fruit. Little bits of vanilla and cassis were there, as well as some rosewood. The tannins had softened, but the complexity just wasn’t there. Predictable. An easy bottle to respect, but not one that inspired.
Then the Heitz.
A bomb of fresh red fruit blended with signature Rutherford earth, chocolate, and cassis. A long midpalate ended in a velvety finish. Two smiles showed that we both were on the same wavelength. This was a truly fine bottle of wine with unmistakable possibilities.
And as the restaurant music faded down and then off, we found ourselves to be the only patrons remaining in a quiet, still room. The unexpected. But a good sort of unexpected feeling. And a sense that it’s the wonderful surprises in life that make the best memories.
