We have some good friends over for the next few days. They arrived late so lunch was basically fresh bread, charcuterie and cheeses with an old red Sancerre who showed nicely:
Lucien Crochet Sancerre Rouge Cuvée Prestige 1995
This showed well! Red berries, sous-bois and some more damp earth on the nose. The body was light with red berry acidity and strong earthy notes. Good mid-palate presence but a slightly short finish. Pleasant surprise with the charcuterie.
My buddy gifted me the following which we enjoyed as an apéritif before dinner:
Benromach 10 years
More peat on the nose than palate. Nicely balanced, perfumed and elegant finish. Good.
For dinner, I made côte de boeuf with chasseur sauce and shitake mushrooms served with green beans and roasted potatoes.
Château Chasse-Spleen 1996
Whereas I was able to soldier through the previous bottle, this one had no interest. The nose was hinting at suspended animation but the body declared the time of death: watery, slightly astringent and decayed. Dead. A two bottle purchase at auction, 2 duds.
Château Latour-Martillac 1996
Exactly the same as the previous one: mature and evolved. Savoury: tobacco, green bell pepper, cedar, leather and cassis. After some air the nose was sly enough to start exhibiting red florals as well. Engaging wine. This showed even better than the 1996 Sociando-Mallet.
Château Sociando-Mallet 1996
Similar to the last bottle: cigar tobacco, leather, dark berries, dried herbs and plums. Good acidity and plenty of dark fruit remaining. More fruit than the L-M but slightly less enchanting nose.
For dessert, I made apple pie with my quick and easy flaky crust, cardamom and my wife grandma’s eau-de-vie. Delicious. We ended on dark chocolate and Mezcal.
This made me forget i have a flu!!