We were invited over to a friend’s of ours house and I brought over a bottle of Saint-Emilion wine.  I was really hopeful that the wine would have a good showing, but alas it was not meant to be.  Still the evening was awesome.  Our friend as usual made food to die for.  There was poached fish, lamb stew, roast, and tons of sides.  The food was the star of the evening and we really thank her as always for such a warm and friendly home.

The wine notes follow below:

Chateau Tour Des Agasseaux Lussac Saint-Emilion 2001 – Score: B+
The nose on this garnet colored wine is active with cassis, cherry, and a nice dollop of wood.  The velvety mouth on this medium to full bodied wine starts with cassis and plums.  The mid palate is the problem – it is MIA, really not there.  Actually it is a hole and that is its flaw.  The finish is long with spice, mint, tobacco, and wood flavors.  The loss of the mid palate is a real shame as I was looking forward to better showing by this wine.

Four Gates Cabernet Franc N.V. (Original Release 1997 & 1998 Vintages) – Score: A-
WOW!  Just a bit of background.  Four Gates has released two N.V. Cabernet Sauvignon vintages in a row.  So, to distinguish between the use the cork.  A long 2+ inch cork is the telltale sign of the original release (97+98), while a shorter cork is congruent with the later N.V. release.  The nose on this garnet and orange tinged wine, is more akin to a Cabernet as is much of the wine’s current attitudes, and is filled with cassis, cherry, and oak.  The mouth on this medium to full bodied wine is still electric and velvety with blackberry, raspberry, and cherry flavors.  The mid palate has nicely integrated tannins, while the finish is nice with cherry and vanilla.  Quite a nice showing for a wine of this age.