Cold rainy weekend called for a fire and dinner at home. Saturday I
grilled some Allen Brothers Colorado Lamb and opened a bottle of 1989
Ch. Leoville Las Cases. Medium garnet in the glass with a pronounced
pink at the rim. Nose of cedar and leather with background cassis and
black fruits. Less weight on the palate than expected and the balance
was beginning to shift towards the tertiary flavors and away from the
fruit. Lead pencil, a bit of leather and tobacco framed by cassis and
licorice. Firm minerality and acidity made it great with the lamb. "B
"

On Sunday Linda made a traditional pot roast with root veggies so I
opened a 1997 Ridge Montebello. Still a dark reddish purple with
aromas of blackberries, menthol and dark chocolate. I was expecting
opulent jammy fruit but instead found a really well balanced Bordeaux-
like wine. Black cherry, mint, espresso, and earthy notes. Very well
defined acidity and firm but smooth tannins. Big but not jammy or
overly oaked. "A-"