TN: 1966, 1959 and 1933
Wine has, directly or indirectly, brought me much happiness in my life. The friends I have made, the places visited, bottles opened and meals shared. My words and photos give a mere snapshot of the affect on my emotions and senses. We all wish that bottles show their best profiles and flow as freely as our lively and humorous conversations. Last night was one of these memorable occasions. I entertained a friend at home and chose three bottles that I thought we would both enjoy.
1933 Weingut Franz Schmitt Hermannshof - Niersteiner Kehr Riesling Spatlese - Rheinhessen (Germany)
Purchased several years ago from a source who bought it from the producer in Germany. Popped and poured. It looks like it was recorked by the producer as the cork has the writing “Hermannshof Neuverkork 1998”. Deep gold, crystal clear. Ripe apricots and marmalade jam, no 'petrol/diesel’ aromas. The palate is quite rich and viscous, slightly off dry and rolling its fine marmalade nuances across my tongue. Still so fresh, flavours that tingle the body. Astonishing and an honour to share. I left a small pour in my glass and tried it 16 hours later. It had barely budged and tasted fresher.
Drinking a wine of this age made me think of the history of the bottle’s vintage.
Events from 1933 included:
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Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge begins in San Francisco;
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Don Bradman scores 103 for Australia against England during the ‘Bodyline’ 2nd Ashes Test;
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Adolf Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany by President of Germany Paul von Hindenburg;
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U.S. President Herbert Hoover is succeeded by Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), who in reference to the Great Depression, proclaims “The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself” in his inauguration speech;
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Mohandas Gandhi begins a 3-week hunger strike in india because of the mistreatment of the lower castes;
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Scientist Albert Einstein arrives in the United States where he settles permanently and takes up a position at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey;
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The Nissan Motor Company is established in Tokyo, Japan;
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Birth of the English actor Michael Caine and actress Joan Collins.
1966 Chateau Beauvillars - Pomerol (Bordeaux, France)
Jean-Pierre Moueix was the proprieter and is shown on the label. Popped and poured, the bottle had stood upright for 24 hours. Dark red body with a light red almost brown rim. The nose reminds me of cooked meat and Bovril. With air, fine coffee aromas appear. The velvet palate has fully resolved tannins, a slight sweetness and a decent length. Still fresh and an agreeable aftertaste of mature wine. No signs of fading over 2 hours.
1959 Chateau Phelan-Segur - St Estephe (Bordeaux, France)
Negociant bottling by Ed Kressman & Co! Light green glass, looks like a 2 part bottle. Popped and poured. Stood for 24 hours, plenty of sediment. Opaque red with a mid red rim. Exotic, sweet, spicy nose - wow! Sip after sip reveals layers of ripe jam-like fruit with good acidity. With 1 hour of air, even better. At the peak of drinking for me, certainly not fading. One of the best clarets over thirty years old that I have ever had the privilege to drink. Still drinking well after 2 hours.
