1999 Vintage Wines - A study in 20 year olds

"Spent my days with a woman unkind,
Smoked my stuff and drank all my wine.
Made up my mind to make a new start,
Going to california with an aching in my heart."

Going to California by Led Zeppelin

We have a tradition here at Wine Watch of studying 10 and 20-year old wines every year just to see how they are progressing from adolescents to young adults. The wines from the 1999 vintage are now 20 years old and for a great wine that may not be fully mature but for most palates wines of this age are no longer considered young. The fruit is not as intense and the secondary flavors are now developing which showcase the earthy components or the minerality of the wine.

As far as vintages go 1999 was not considered great in Bordeaux, the torrential rains in September made it hard to produce top level wines but because of technology some producers produced surprisingly good wines.

In northern California 1999 was a cooler vintage and many of the critics don't rate cooler vintages highly. Harlan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, one of Napa Valley's "Cult Wines" received the lowest rating of any vintage since it's first release in 1990, the Wine Advocate scored the 1999 Harlan only (91 Points). That's an "A" when I was in school but to a Napa Valley "Cult Wine" this is as close to an "F" as you want to get.

The Piedmont in Italy produced classic wines that vignerons loved and although they were not as highly rated by the critics as the flashy 2000 vintage wines. The critics seemed to respect the opinion of the elders and 1999 was always considered classic producing wines that needed 20 years to really shine but that is why we host these tastings to see first hand if these critics really know what they are talking about.

I look forward to tasting this years line-up blind to see if our "Wine Drinking People" can pick out the Penfolds Grange from the Chateau Palmer but the most important thing that you can learn from a blind tasting of this magnitude is that that on any given Friday the cheapest wine on the table could be your favorite!

These 20-year olds from around the world are the subject of study this evening.  We also have everything that we have in the store from the 1999 vintage just in case you know a 20-year old that you want to give a present in anticipation of their 21st birthday!

Join us as we experience 20 year old wines along with a special meal prepared by chef Toni Lampasone. The fee for this tasting is $195 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.

1999 Vintage Tasting - A Study of 20 Year Old’s
Friday, April 26th
7:30pm

1999 Masion Roche de Bellene Volnay Clos de Chenes 1er Cru "Collection Bellenum"

1999 Bodegas Roda Reserva Rioja Roda II

1999 Michele Satta Cavaliere Bolgheri

 1999 Fontodi Flaccianello

1999 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa

1999 Chateau Palmer Margaux

1999 Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite Rouge

1999 Penfolds Grange Shiraz South Australia

1999 Clarendon Hills Astralis Syrah McLaren Vale

1999 Nino Negri Sfurzat di Valtellina 5 Stelle Lombardy

1999 Gaja Costa Russi

Menu

Charcuterie Selection

Harpke Farms Tomato and Wild Mushroom Tartar with micro greens and edible flower garnish

Duck Confit Lasagna with Cabernet Demi Glaze

Dark Chocolate Soufflé

The fee for this tasting is $195 + tax per person for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.   Let us know if you have any dietary restrictions when you make your reservation and Toni will be glad to accommodate you.

Italian

1999 Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna Del Sorbo MAGNUM
Price: $245.00    Your Price: $215.60 Quantity in Stock: 1

1999 Fontodi Flaccianello
Price: $210.00    Your Price: $184.80 Quantity in Stock: 21

1999 Fontodi Flaccianello Tuscany MAGNUM
Price: $392.00    Your Price: $344.96 Quantity in Stock: 3

1999 Michele Satta Cavaliere Bolgheri
Price: $79.50    Your Price: $69.96     Quantity in Stock: 7

1999 Michele Satta Piastraia Bolgheri
Price: $79.50    Your Price: $69.96     Quantity in Stock: 7

1999 Martinetti Barolo Marasco
Price: $114.00    Your Price: $100.32 Quantity in Stock: 3

1999 Pelissero Barbaresco Vanotu
Price: $196.00    Your Price: $172.48 Quantity in Stock: 1

1999 Gaja Costa Russi
Price: $395.00    Your Price: $347.60 Quantity in Stock: 5

1999 Aldo Conterno Barolo Granbussia
Price: $450.00    Your Price: $396.00 Quantity in Stock: 1

1999 Moschioni Rosso Celtico Friuli 3 LITER
Price: $475.00    Your Price: $418.00 Quantity in Stock: 1

1999 Friggiali Donna Olga Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $112.00    Your Price: $98.56   Quantity in Stock: 9

1999 Canalicchio Di Sopra Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $155.00    Your Price: $136.40 Quantity in Stock: 4

California

1999 Quintessa Napa
Price: $160.00    Your Price: $140.80 Quantity in Stock: 3

1999 Araujo Syrah Eisele Vineyard Napa MAGNUM
Price: $450.00    Sale Price: $325.00  Quantity in Stock: 2

1999 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa
Price: $145.00    Your Price: $127.60 Quantity in Stock: 9

1999 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma MAGNUM
Price: $176.00    Your Price: $154.88 Quantity in Stock: 1

France

1999 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne 3 Liter
Price: $3847.00    Sale Price: $2500.00          Quantity in Stock: 1

1999 Louis Jadot Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 750ml
Price: $139.00    Your Price: $122.32 Quantity in Stock: 1

1999 Chateau Latour Pauillac
Price: $795.00    Sale Price: $525.00  Quantity in Stock: 1

1999 Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite Rouge
Price: $325.00    Your Price: $286.00 Quantity in Stock: 1

1999 Domaine Lamarche Vosne Romanee La Grande Rue Grand Cru
Price: $595.00    Sale Price: $495.00  Quantity in Stock: 1

1999 Domaine Paul Blanck Gewurztraminer Furstentum Selection de Grains Nobles Alsace Grand Cru (375m
Price: $125.00    Your Price: $110.00 Quantity in Stock: 12

1999 Masion Roche de Bellene Volnay Clos de Chenes 1er Cru "Collection Bellenum"
Price: $172.50    Your Price: $151.80 Quantity in Stock: 2

Australia

1999 Penfolds Grange Shiraz South Australia
Price: $450.00    Your Price: $396.00 Quantity in Stock: 13

1999 Tyrrell's Merlot Reserve McLaren Vale
Price: $40.50    Your Price: $35.64     Quantity in Stock: 1

1999 Clarendon Hills Astralis Syrah McLaren Vale
Price: $225.00    Sale Price: $179.00  Quantity in Stock: 6

Spain

1999 Bodegas Roda Reserva Rioja Roda II
Price: $75.00    Your Price: $66.00     Quantity in Stock: 9

Dessert Wines

1999 Blandys Madeira Malmsey Colehita
Price: $55.00    Your Price: $48.40     Quantity in Stock: 7

1999 Royal Tokaji Company Essencia 500ml
Price: $850.00    Sale Price: $700.00  Quantity in Stock: 1