I turned 30 a couple of weeks ago and was rather
disappointed that I didn’t immediately turn into a withered, old hag (the way
some people react to the “big three-oh”, I’d naturally assumed that was what
would happen). I’d really been looking forward to being able to wave a cane and
croak at kids to get the hell off my lawn, though I suppose I could still do
that, but it wouldn’t be the same seeing as how I still look like I’m under 21 (no,
it’s not a blessing, it’s just annoying), plus I don’t really have a lawn.
Despite that letdown, it was a great birthday since I got to
spend it drinking some rather incredible wines (and oh yeah, there were a
couple of awesome people there too who also made it great, but the wines definitely
stole the show).
The night before my birthday, Kye opened a 2015 Yves
Cuilleron “La Petite Côte” Condrieu and a 2012 Bernard Levet “Les Journaries” Côte-Rôtie, both of which he had
me blind.* I wound up calling the Condrieu a Spanish Albarino (in my defense it
was still very cold when he poured it, after it warmed up a bit it was
obviously viognier, but we both still gave me crap about it). I did better with
the red though, the second I got that whiff of funky barnyard and smoky meat I
knew it could only be Rhone. I went a bit too South with my call (Gigondas),
but wasn't totally unhappy with my call.** So we got to toast my birthday at midnight with
wines from what might be my favorite region (Rhone, obviously) and all was
right in the world.
Then the day after my birthday I
got a package from Rare Wine Co. that contained some surprises: a 1987 Lopez de
Heredia Reserva Tondonia and a 1987 D’Oliveiras Bual Madeira. My parents felt
bad that they were missing my birthday to go on a trip to Canada so they’d
conspired with Kye to get me a bottle of something that I wouldn’t ever think
to get for myself and they nailed it. Kye, being the amazing dude that he is,
threw in the Madeira as an extra.
Lopez de Heredia has been one of
my favorite producers ever since Kye introduced me to their incredible wines a
few years ago. They’re one of the few Rioja producers who still use the
traditional American oak barrels instead of French, which I tend to prefer in that
region’s wines. Also, they age their wines for longer than is required for the
region (the most current vintage for their youngest wine is 2008). Despite the
lack of an ah-so, Kye didn’t have any issues with opening the bottle and we even
decanted it the “proper” sommelier way, with a lit candle behind the bottle in
order to see the sediment and an actual glass decanter. It was delicious, still
retained the red fruit notes, had that hint of coconut that you get from
American oak and had nicely balanced acidity and tannins. It was probably one
of the best wines I’ve ever gotten to drink.
The D’Oliveiras Bual Madeira was
strictly from Kye since we both love Madeira, but can’t always find that great
of a selection in retail store here since most people just buy it for cooking.
It was super nutty, almost reminded me a bit of sherry and had a sweetness that
perfectly complimented that. I didn’t wind up finishing the bottle until almost
a week later and though it had become a bit more acidic by then it was still
amazing.
So that was my 30th
birthday and there’s nothing about it I can complain about. The people I spent
it with and the wines we opened made it perfect.
*Meaning a blind tasting, where
you must determine varietal, region and vintage a wine might be based solely on
what you get from sight, smell and taste. And no, it’s not magic or bullshit,
if you have the knowledge and practice enough it’s totally possible (though
definitely not easy)
**Kye was also a bit offended that
I’d think he’d get me an Albarino and Gigondas for my birthday, but he quickly
got over that
Nice.
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