1999 Ch. Lynch-Bages

[hotwine]

I've been looking for an excuse to sample one of these, even though they're much too young. She suggested a steak tonight, so I grilled two 32 oz sirloins (for leftovers, you know), and she baked some spuds and fixed cauliflower in cheese sauce. Pulled the cork on the wine two hours before dinner, although did not decant. The nose was closed...not much there at all. On entry, boot leather and cigar butt dominate, with a touch of juniper berry. Definite tooth-enamal-remover. Tannins are in control right now, and will take a few to subside. More berry fruit toward the end of dinner another hour later, just in time to say so long to that bottle. She liked it, so I'm cleared hot to pick up a few more.

Got lucky with the choice of bottle - it had a defect, a crease/crack along the length of the cork that had allowed wine to travel the full length and stain the top. The bottle would have been history in a few more weeks/months, so it's just as well that we were able to enjoy it before it died.