2002 Clos du Val CS, Napa Valley

[hotwine]

Needed a tannic brute to handle beef teriyaki and chose this, not having ever tried a CdV and figuring an '02 would still be a few years short of ready.

Not disappointed. A sip before supper says "Are you sure you want to do this?" Tart and tannic and not ready for prime time, it still had a nice deep inky color and a nose of black fruit and cigar ash. Took a bite of the teriyaki and another sip of the wine, and the world changed completely! The wine tamed the dish and the dish tamed the wine, and all was suddenly as it should be, with wonderful flavors melding on the palate and giving a smooth, lasting finish.

Blind stupid luck beats skill and cunning every day.

13.5% alc/vol and about $20 at Costco.

[winoweenie]

Hotsie I've found that Bernies' wines are not built in the normal Napa style of "Show & Sip". His training was at his fathers side who made lafite wines for 40 years. Patience is rewarded with most of his wines. WW