It's not La Mouline (so what!) or why it pays to cellar inexpensive wine . . .

I had some friends over this week and wanted to open an interesting bottle of wine with some age but not something crazy. I was not in the mood to break into one of my five cases of 1969 La Mouline so I dug deep into my cave and came up with the 2001 Chateau Oupia Minervois "Les Barons." I am so glad I cellared this wine and am so glad I have another bottle. This is the deluxe cuvee from the superstar Minervois estate run by Andre Iche and is more Syrah heavy than the normal cuvee. The nose soared with game, bacon, blackberry/blueberry fruit and vivd minerality. There was a cool fruit character to the palate along with tremendous concentration and wonderful elegance. It grew more and more complex as it aerated and the tannins became more prominent but they were ripe and sweet. This was absolutely killer wine and still is on the up and up. I was so relieved I did not have to break into my OWC's of 1969 La Mouline. Close call....whewwwwwww!