Visiting Angelenos

[ddf68]

Got them home from the airport, whereupon they immediately produced 1997 Herb Lamb Vineyard in an unlabelled bottle and a cork marked only with the vintage.

Dark purple, rich nose of dark fruit. Supple texture with hints of plum and tons of darker, sweeter berry and cassis flavors, mint or bay or something like that, and just a touch of oak at the end. There was plenty of tannin, but most of it was drowning in the fruit. Outstanding. I think this is a wine Parker would go nuts for, and I have a hard time disagreeing.

And now for something completely different.

1994 Edmidio Pepe Montepulciano D'Abruzzo. Dark ruby and beginning to change on the edges, I can't remember the nose, somewhat tart palate of iron/mineral, fruit, a bit of smoke (I didn't get smoke, but everyone else did), good finish and some tannin. With time in the glass, the acidity receded and the flavors increased in richness and intensity. Good showing, especially considering we drank it without food and right after the HLV.

'97 Burgess Zin. Really good, having a hard time assessing wine by this point. Time to slide in to uncritical drinking mode. Good density and concentration, ripe fruit flavors, some spice.

'96 Terrale Primitivo di Tarantino. Same as previous review.

Bouef a la Catalane Beef stewed with tomatoes, rice, and saffron. Straight out of Julia Child and quite tasty.

ddf

[This message has been edited by ddf68 (edited 01-29-2001).]