My girlfriend and I celebrated our first anniversary last night. I took the occasion to cross another classic wine off the list (I’m trying to taste many classic or staple wines to at least have a point of reference for them, even if they aren’t my thing). So last night we had a 2018 Heitz Cellar Napa Cabernet Sauvignon with a steak dinner. We also had a 2012 Henri Mandois Victor Brut Champagne and 2005 Chateau Lafaurie Peyraguey Sauternes. Tasting notes below.

Heitz -Decanted for about 1-1.5hrs while I cooked - Incredible herbaceous aromas immediately after pulling the cork. My first thought was “Wow! I’ve never tasted anything like this before but now I understand what people are talking about.” -Cherry, raspberry and blackberry on the front palate that seamlessly and almost immediately transitions to fresh cut grass and fresh herbs (I tried but could not pin down which ones besides mint, but it was like being transported to someone’s herb garden as they pick them). Green bell pepper on the finish, which only became more prominent as the wine spent additional time in the decanter. -A great wine in which the craftsmanship is apparent at first sip. Not quite my “thing” but I can acknowledge fine work nonetheless. 93 points.

Lafaurie Peyraguey -I would have confused this for a younger Sauternes in a blind tasting. -Liquified pears or canned pears in syrup -Maple syrup -Golden delicious apple, faint notes of canned pineapple -I wasn’t much of a fan at first but I became more partial to it as time went on and poured a few other glasses. -Again not quite my “thing” but a good wine. This is no d’qyuem, but then again it does not cost nearly as much either. 91 points.