Last Colorado Hoorah

As I ease into my last week in Colorado Springs, I've been studiously at work minimizing my cellar holdings prior to moving. (I know, it's a dirty thankless job, but who else would be qualified to do it?)

Took a bottle of Ridge Monte Bello '94 to a friend's house last week for a farewell dinner. Following his offering of an '88 Aloxe-Corton which was adequate, and a Ch. Gloria St. Julian '90 which was vile! (tasted like iodine--a syndrome I've never previously encountered), we opened the Ridge.

The wine was incredible, but in a group of eight didn't go nearly far enough. Dark, almost black in color with a huge warm oaky nose (purists would call it un-subtle and Parker would offer 95 points), then a big, warm, mouth-coating load of fruit with chocolate, mocha, toffee, and deep raspberry notes. Long finish.

The Monte Bello made such an impression on me (as well as the shortage available to enjoy in the larger group) that I pulled a second bottle out two days later. Surprisingly, the second was not as finished as the first. Still a lot of tannins creating a slight bitterness and reducing the flavors. Good, but nowhere near the equal of the first bottle.

Then, last night, out to dinner at a Colorado Springs landmark, the Cliff House--a restored Victorian hotel in Manitou Springs. Excellent dinner and an opportunity to try something I'd been wanting for several years. They had a Williams Selyem Russian River Valley PN '02 on the list. A bit pricey, but supply-demand is at work here.

This wine goes down as the best PN I've tasted since a memorable dinner more than 25 years ago at Lameloise in the heart of Burgundy where I enjoyed my first Grands Echezaux.

The Selyem was very dark and brownish in color--hardly looked like a PN at all. Lots of good, warm, vanilla and sweet cherry on the nose. Huge explosion of flavors in the mouth with dark fruit, spice and toffee coming in layers. The experience got me up this morning and quickly enrolling in Selyem's wait list to gain the opportunity to buy some more.

Ed Rasimus Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret) "When Thunder Rolled" www.thunderchief.org www.thundertales.blogspot.com