1993 Chalone Reserve Pinot Noir

I was planning on making duck risotto last night utilizing both the broth made from the carcass and the fat rendered from it. I thought this would be a good opportunity to open a bottle that was a bit ripe. I'd selected a bunch of older Pinot Noirs from the glory days of the Chalone Wine Group, pulling those bottles with the best fill levels. With the older Chalone wines there's always a heightened danger of a corked bottle due to the TCA problems that plagued that cellar for many vintages until it was finally resolved in the mid 90's. I pulled the cork which smelled fine and decanted the wine. It hadn't thrown too many solids and seemed in good shape. The aromas were in fine condition given its age with the typical almost Rhone like spice that this vineyard always exhibits. As the fruit aired out of the wine a little bit of mustiness reminiscent of red Burgundy started to show, but it in no way detracted from the wine. The flavors were perfect and the palate still intact with enough grip to offset the weight of the risotto. I happily slurped down more than half the bottle and would have finished it if I hadn't had a few Scotches beforehand.