Tomorrow is Alison's 44th birthday, and to celebrate, I am going to fire up
the grill for a couple of medium rare thick ribeyes.

I have a choice of the following wines and would like a suggestion as to a
'special' one. I dont want to commit infantcide.

1 of 1995 Gruaud Larose
1 of 1999 Cakebread Cab
1 of 1999 Gloria
1 of 2000 Napanook
5 of 1996 Chateau Clarke
5 of 2000 Chateau Clarke
2 of 2001 Chateau De Pez

So, given the above choices, what would you pick? Would you decant?

TN to follow

Thanks In Advance

Walter

I should rephrase...

I have several other wines, such as a Penfolds Bin 707, Bin 389 and Grange
(but the Grange is off limits for a few more years) but those that I listed
are a bit more special to me.

Walter

I'd go for the '96 Clarke, as some lesser Medocs are drinkign quite
well right now. '99 Gloria also ready. Most '95 bigger Medocs and most
2000 Bdx are very closed right now, I'd avoid. '01 de Pez might be
good.

Not sure that I've tasted either Californian (I liked '99 Napanook),
but in general I'd think both were drinking ok. Hope birthday
celebration is good!

I'd go for the '96 Clarke, as some lesser Medocs are drinkign quite
well right now. '99 Gloria also ready. Most '95 bigger Medocs and most
2000 Bdx are very closed right now, I'd avoid. '01 de Pez might be
good.

Not sure that I've tasted either Californian (I liked '99 Napanook),
but in general I'd think both were drinking ok. Hope birthday
celebration is good!

The 1999 Cakebread Cab is one of my favorites.

Enjoy!

"Walter L. Preuninger II" wrote in message
...
Tomorrow is Alison's 44th birthday, and to celebrate, I am going to fire
up
the grill for a couple of medium rare thick ribeyes.

I have a choice of the following wines and would like a suggestion as to a
'special' one. I dont want to commit infantcide.

1 of 1995 Gruaud Larose
1 of 1999 Cakebread Cab
1 of 1999 Gloria
1 of 2000 Napanook
5 of 1996 Chateau Clarke
5 of 2000 Chateau Clarke
2 of 2001 Chateau De Pez

So, given the above choices, what would you pick? Would you decant?

TN to follow

Thanks In Advance

Walter

Alison wanted California veggies with her steak, so the stepdaughter thought
it would be cute to have a California wine.

I picked the 2000 Dominus Napanook. (I guess I will have to drink the
Cakebread in August for my b-day)

Decanted. A purple crimson with brownish edges. Thin legs. Blackberry nose.
At first it seemed shallow, not much taste but with they meal I noticed
cedar, menthol and leather. Very acidic with alot of tannin. The finish just
kept on going, but after a while it was just too bitter.

As this was my only bottle, I wont know if it would be any better in 4-5
years.

Alison enjoyed the birthday feast, and the kids enjoyed doing the dishes
(not)

Walter

"Walter L. Preuninger II" wrote in message
...
Tomorrow is Alison's 44th birthday, and to celebrate, I am going to fire
up
the grill for a couple of medium rare thick ribeyes.

I have a choice of the following wines and would like a suggestion as to a
'special' one. I dont want to commit infantcide.

1 of 1995 Gruaud Larose
1 of 1999 Cakebread Cab
1 of 1999 Gloria
1 of 2000 Napanook
5 of 1996 Chateau Clarke
5 of 2000 Chateau Clarke
2 of 2001 Chateau De Pez

So, given the above choices, what would you pick? Would you decant?

TN to follow

Thanks In Advance

Walter