Reelin in the Years + 2012 Valois Pomerol

Reelin in the Years

Chateau Valois 2012 Pomerol

 You’ve belted the chorus, you’ve indulged in nostalgia, but what do you drink when you’re “Reelin in the Years”? Steely Dan’s sardonic dig at an ex lover’s poor choices pours an acidic vintage into my glass.

Chateau Valois 2012 Pomerol brought me to an “everlasting summer fading fast”. The 2012 growing season “didn’t turn out like you planned”-- early freeze, long summer drought, and rainy, unpredictable harvest time kept winemakers on their toes. Valois “gathered up the tears” and created a blend of 83% Merlot/ 17% Cab Franc that shuffles the palette into this classic groove. Its tight rhythm gallops into deep plum and fresh red berry, as Fagen’s fingertips deliver descending lines of lush harmony to match. Elliot Randall’s overdub guitar work peppers this song throughout, and Valois’ new French oak treatment spices this wine with licorice and herbal notes that punch our pallet like the sharp tones of those legendary solos.

It happened…

This pairing comes from one of my first live wine & music shows in 2019 with a band of Berklee professors called The Experts.

Even though they both hit bouts of hardship, neither the Dan’s girl nor the 2012 Pomerol are easily forgotten.

Viva el Dan. Drink good Bordeaux.