Tasting Notes: 2005 Peju Estate Cab

For those of you who are Wall Street Journal readers, you may be familiar with the idea of "Open That Bottle Night" (OTBN), when the editors encourage you to finally drink that bottle you've been hanging onto. This Peju has been sitting on my wine rack for almost a year, with special occasions having come and gone. I've meant to open it so many times, and wondered on numerous occasions whether it would have the same balance of power and delicacy that made me fall in love with it when I first tasted it. As always happens, however, the bottle has sat lonely and neglected until tonight. It's oft-given advice - that you've just got to open that bottle sometime; that you should make the wine the occasion rather than perpetually postpone its opening in favor of a worthy event - but this advice is often ignored by wine lovers who would rather let that prized label and vintage sit aside collecting dust than open an unforgettable bottle for a more-than-forgettable evening.

Well, after surviving traffic and hurrying back to pick up my prize, I cradled the Peju under my arm as I rushed down the street (half an hour late) to my favorite restaurant Piccolo, more than excited about finally opening it up in the company of great friends. Nevermind the fact that we were belatedly celebrating cheerful news received in the dead of winter, just as the first hints of spring are revealing themselves; it was the perfect night to enjoy this wine with good company and good food.

As noted in the winery's tasting notes, it's an alcoholic and slightly tannic cab, delicious and enjoyable even for its youth. We let it open up for almost 45 minutes, after which the darkly floral notes became apparent not just in the scent overflowing the wine glasses but very clearly across the palate when enjoyed in slowly savored sips.

We weren't quite finished after wrapping up this bottle, so also tasted a 2005 Paitin Barbaresco from Sori' Paitin that was a ligher, brighter counterbalance to the deep Peju. Also a bit young, we found this one to be almost Burgundian in style with the floral notes providing a softer way to end the evening.

Despite having no better occasion at this point than creating the opportunity to gather close company for a good bottle of wine, none of the food, the friends nor the wine were forgettable. There truly is no better way to pass off the stress of every other part of your day. It's hard to make the time and effort, but if I could, I'd make OTBN a monthly event; at the very least, every couple of months. Pick that bottle up, grab a few friends and open it. After all, it does no one any good, least of all the wine, if it is only passing away the time in a dark corner, stuck alone with a little stub of cork.

---
Piccolo
5 Dudley Ave
Venice
310-314-3222

Tasted:
2005 Peju Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford
2005 Paitin Barbaresco Sori' Paitin