Only a slight softness to the rich, crimson color suggests that this wine isn't at all young; on the nose, what you get is mostly soft, sweet, rich earth with an gentle framing of soft spice. On the whole, it's rather akin to Davidoff cigarettes: there's something about this that screams "expensive," as plush and rich as a Birkin bag, with a suggestion of the tobacco drying shed thrown in for good measure.
In the mouth, it seems like it's begun to fade slightly, with a certain drabness of fruit present. Even so, it is undeniably lovely and seems just the thing to have with a slice of Parma ham (thankfully, I do indeed have some handy thanks to fresh&easy's discount pricing). There's still a small bit of tannin on the finish - not very much - and it all ends with a sigh. Gentle, distinguished, elegant, and, I suppose, a reminder of what some Napa wines may have tasted like before Screaming Eagle, Colgin, and so on redefined the style in the 1990s.
If you have some of this, now would be a good time to drink it. If you don't, it's not good value at the full retail price, but if you see it for $25, I'd seriously consider it.
Beaulieu Vineyard
Price: US $25 (K&L Wines pricing, normally $50).
Closure: Cork
Date tasted: June 2008
In the mouth, it seems like it's begun to fade slightly, with a certain drabness of fruit present. Even so, it is undeniably lovely and seems just the thing to have with a slice of Parma ham (thankfully, I do indeed have some handy thanks to fresh&easy's discount pricing). There's still a small bit of tannin on the finish - not very much - and it all ends with a sigh. Gentle, distinguished, elegant, and, I suppose, a reminder of what some Napa wines may have tasted like before Screaming Eagle, Colgin, and so on redefined the style in the 1990s.
If you have some of this, now would be a good time to drink it. If you don't, it's not good value at the full retail price, but if you see it for $25, I'd seriously consider it.
Beaulieu Vineyard
Price: US $25 (K&L Wines pricing, normally $50).
Closure: Cork
Date tasted: June 2008
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