Very quick notes from dinner last night (for the main of porcini-encrusted rib-eyes) with 3 wino buddies (nothing served blind):
1970 La Fleur-Pétrus - My bottle, quickly double decanted to remove sediment after being stood upright for 4 days. Breathing time was in our glasses. Eventually gained weight up to slightly over medium body. Good depth, respectable medium+ length, almost velvety. Slight ferrous/sanguine & loamy character to the fruits (which include a note of preserved tamarind). Old-school Pomerol. Still very enjoyable; but I won’t wait longer on my remaining bottles as I suspect this will start sliding at an increased rate. Time to drink.
1989 & 1990 La Mission Haut Brion - From Alex & Keiichi, respectively. Neither decanted; though the ‘89 Alex slow-oxed for a day. As there are copious WB notes on these two, I will forego descriptors. All I’ll say is, side by side, they are more similar than ever I recall. The ‘90, unsurprisingly, seemed marginally fuller in body than the ‘89 (the latter slightly more rigid in structure); and had more ripe-sweetness in bouquet and on the palate.
I imagine I’d have been able to tell them apart if served together half-blind; but, until that happens, I wouldn’t really know.
Interesting! I’ll pick one or two up if ever I come across any, thanks.
I’ve had very little experience with ‘74s from anywhere. All I recall offhand are: ‘74 Latour (served blind around 3-4 years ago which I couldn’t even identify as Bdx - much less Pauillac or Latour); ‘74 d’Angerville Volnay Champans (sometime in 2014; barely drinkable); and, ‘74 Contino Reserva (in March 2010, served over lunch by Jesus de Madrazo Mateo - the wine made by his father - actually pleasant enough; though clearly way, way past prime).
Yes, indeed fun, thanks! The subject side by side was the idea of those two who brought the bottles. I didn’t even know about it until late afternoon “pre-game bubblies” before the dinner itself.
Hi, Craig. Thanks. The little girl is Keiichi’s daughter. Her mom is out of the country for a short while; and, it being Sunday (observed as family day here), Keiichi, dutiful dad, brought her along for dinner. She and her nanny went home early though.
To be clear, Noel, I’m not suggesting that you go long on these . (I myself was surprised and can’t think of any other '74’s that I have or liked of late.)
Should be ok just to try out. Just one or two bottles for curiosity’s sake, for so long as the price is reasonable - which I believe would likely be the case. Not much call for ‘74 Bdx.