'94 Robert Craig Affinity

[Jorog]

This wine is on the downslope which suprised me a bit. No tanins to speak of and ripe, mature fruit with a dusty quality to it. Slightly off balance to me with some slight pruney notes (storage?). Would have thought it to be much better than it was.

[winoweenie]

Surprises me too Jarog. Think I posted on this wine some months ago and was still chugging along nicely.Again remember the word, provenance, the most important single thing in wine-keeping. Remember several years ago stopping by one of the great restauraants IMHO in the country, the Imperial Gardens in Hanford Ca. Richard Wing is a Cordon Blue Master Chef and his passion is wine. He had at the time 60,000 bottles in his cellar. After a meal with a bottle of 70 Petrus,(65 bucks) and a 70 Heitz Marthas',(55 bucks) Richard said he wanted me to try a mystery wine. The wine was a clear brilliant ruby, lovely floral nose a marvelous mouthfeel. When the guessing game started I went with a 64 or 70 Bordeaux. When he pulled it out of the sack it was a 68 Martini burgandy,12 bucks a case. His cellar was the difference. WW

[This message has been edited by winoweenie (edited 01-06-2004).]

[Jorog]

My storage is fine but this particular bottle may have been bought at auction. I occasionally do that but only when I can get something under market value. Hence my question on storage.

A few months back I tasted an '87 Ridge Geyserville at the winery, claret-like, delicate and very good. You know their storage is excellent.

The moral? Know your risks and be willing to take them. Buy from the winery or a reputable dealer otherwise.

[winoweenie]

Had this yesterday and was looking for my post on this when I found Jarogs'. To further answer this post, IMHO this wine has just reached its' peak. Brite crimson woth just a lite bricking on the rim. Explosive nose of flowers(violets-roses), sweet cinnaamon, ripe cherries and red plums, and some earth. Silky entry, med weight center and a killer 4&1/2 lapper finish. 94/94 28 by the box. 13.? alc.(label torn) WW