Two very nice dinners at friends’ houses to follow Thursday’s Leroyathon.
Friday night:
•1995 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne Brut Vintage Reserve (Gold Label) - France, Champagne (10/23/2009)
Interesting comparing this with the 79 grande dame the following evening. This was already showing more oxidative notes than the 79. Both had been stored by friends at room temp since purchase and this one was ready to be drunk. It showed some lovely orange peel, white bread and hazelnuts on the nose and had a lovely refreshing palate presence. Very nice.
•1996 Château La Tour Haut-Brion - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan (10/23/2009)
2 bottles drunk over dinner with friends. Dark black, very young colour. Wine approaching early peak maturity. Classic claret nose of lead pencil and some leafy herbal notes in a lovely mouth coating package of dark fruits and just the right amount of tannin to give the wine structure. A little sombre but still a nice showing.
Saturday night:
•1979 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne Brut La Grande Dame - France, Champagne (10/24/2009)
Shared with our generous friend. This bottle had been purchased on an american airlines flight in the early eighties and then stored at room temp for the last 25 years. Remarkably, the wine was absolutely perfect. Dark golden colour with delicate mousse. Gorgeous nose of honey, hazelnuts, hints of orange marmalade and just a touch of oxdisation but incredibly fresh. Wonderful champagne and adored by everyone.
•1986 Penfolds Grange - Australia, South Australia (10/24/2009)
2 bottles shared with a very generous friend who had stored them at room temp for 20 years. Both bottles were in perfect shape. Gorgeous dark black colour with fabulous, lush palate of dark fruits, spice, eucalyptus and licorice. Perfectly resolved and a point. Went beautifully with roast beef with all the trimmings.
Posted from CellarTracker