Started this bottle on Friday night but it needed just a bit of time to breathe before drinking.  While it was more acidic and less fruity immediately upon uncorking, its true colors (and tastes!) were evident a day later when I repoured it for the neighborhood poker game.  Still a big fan!

On the eve of Hurricane Sandy’s landfall in New Jersey, we opened up a bottle of the Clarendelle 2005 Red Bordeaux, a Clarence Dillon blend inspired by Haut-Brignon. It had a deep, earthy (but not musty) smell and enabled us to get a whiff of nice, dark berries and such while indulging our recent yet growing interest in Bordeaux.

Clarendelle 2005, a Bordeaux from Clarence Dillon wines, that is inspired by Haut-Brion.

As the superstorm raged outside, gale-force winds bending branch and limb in supplication, we were content with ample adult beverages as well as delicious bread, kalamata olives, mushrooms, pepperoni, and several types of cheese. Armed with a case of the Clarendelle, courtesy of WineExpress, this was but the first occasion of many in which we’ll be tasting and sharing feedback on this red blend. Here’s a little bit on this wine from the seller:

Inspired by Haut-Brion, this elegant red Bordeaux is produced by the owners of that historic Chateau. Clarence Dillon purchased the estate in 1935 and his family has run it since then. Meanwhile they have branched out to other winegrowing regions including California, but with their roots firmly planted in Bordeaux, Clarendelle was an easy next step; an affordable, fine quality Bordeaux. This red is from the monumental 2005 vintage and shows its pedigree and its panache with a perfumed nose and lush, mouthfilling flavors over soft, silky tannins. This is one that’s ready to enjoy right now while your Haut-Brion is maturing.

I’ve never had the Haut-Brion itself but if this copycat is any indication, then it’d be a worthwhile pursuit for sure.

My brother from another mother, on the occasion of his last East Coast dinner before departing for a new job in San Francisco, shared this bottle of 1997 Chateau Le Tetre-Roteboeuf, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru.  All eight of us joining in the bittersweet celebration must have enjoyed this gem–an 85% merlot/15% cabernet franc blend.  Some fast web research suggests the price tag of this bottle is approximately $150–and that might not accurately represent how delicious it was in the moment.

1997 Chateau Le Tertre-Roteboeuf, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France.

We were in a small family-style Italian restaurant in Chatham, NJ, and had a slew of hors de oeuvres before some good entres.  I had a fantastic fish…and while this bordeaux is probably intended for heavier beef and such it has so much substance that it matched up pretty damn well to my special as well.  Only shame here is that it was gone far too quickly…much like my friend moving to the West.

Château Troplong Mondot 1995, Saint-Emilion Grand Chu, France.

We had not tasted the goodness that is fine bordeaux until treated at dinner tonight with our friends George and Angela.  The four of us met at the Capital Grill for steak dinners and were not disappointed by any facet of our evening.  All of us started with fantastic salads–three chopped wedges and me with a spinach and bacon salad that was perhaps the best of the bunch.  Our main courses were nicely salted and perfectly cooked filets, strips, and the like.  The photos shown here will definitely not do justice to the meal, which we accompanied with creamed corn and mashed potatoes.  The most important accompaniment, of course, was the 1995 Château Troplong Mondot red to which George treated us.

Eschewing the house options for a corking fee and this red bordeaux, produced by the Château Troplong Mondot and of the appellation Saint-Emilion Grand Cru.  It was perhaps the most expensive bottle of wine I’ve ever enjoyed, and I believe even my course palate understood that it was being treated to some of France’s best work.  A deep, pungent red, it was decanted for us and extremely smooth on the finish.  Here’s a word or two from the producers:

“Château Troplong Mondot is grown on extensive vineyards rich in limestone clay soils. Powerful, well-structured with pronounced complex tannins, its deep aromas of truffles and blackberries develop over time.”

Deep aromas indeed.  Really impressed that folks buy wines like this and can stand to hold them over time, when they’ll increase (not just in value but) in taste and in turn our appreciation.