1999 Ch. Hortevie (St Julien)

[hotwine]

This is one of several Bordeaux Debra gave me for my birthday earlier this month (she visited Spec's on a trip to Houston, and brought the wines home with a pickup load of antique furniture). Had to sample tonight with oak-grilled sirloin, twice-baked spuds, asparagus and baby carrots. This is produced on a tiny estate of only 8.6 acres, and is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Wow! For such a young Bordeaux, it shows a lot of character, with juniper on the nose and up-front and sour black cherries on the palate, with moderate finish. The bottle says 12.5% ABV. Should probably put this sucker down for at least a couple more years, but it ain't gonna be easy. About $18 at Spec's.