I have always had a soft spot for this classic château, this baby Mouton. Visited it on my honeymoon in 1996, this very vintage, and it was also the first case purchase that I ever made, the 1995. Those wines, sadly, are long gone, but the memories of that trip to Bordeaux remain.
Apropos that I decide to pop this wine tonight on a whim, as my wife is out of town and I’m sitting here planning a trip to France with my son starting May 4.
Decanted the wine for approximately an hour, and it definitely needed a little time to blow off the fuck and its angular edge. The aromatics on this wine are restrained, quite classic, but ultimately very lovely as well. Cassis, lead pencil, tobacco and hints of leather and damp earth. The mouthfeel is pretty much what I want in classic Bordeaux, alcohol in check, the wine is quite balanced in its fruit profile, with the dark fruit notes predominating, but the red streak of acid playing a nice supporting role. A wine showing as much earth as fruit. Not a blockbuster by any stretch, but this classic wine is really quite appealing on this simple evening, a work night. The tannins are mostly resolved, the finish a bit soft, and if anything, just a little clipped. This wine is at peak, I do not see it improving from this point.
Well, it’s my son’s new pooch, but he will be in town with the dog on Saturday, staying here until he takes off to Portugal on Tuesday or Wednesday I think. Looks like mama is going to have responsibility for three dogs for a couple of weeks, lol. Poor Ranger, our big male Golden, is staying overnight at the vet, has a bad case of pancreatitis, woke up this morning with bloody vomit.
Soft spot here as well…the 95 was the first time I ever bought “futures”…I think they were $25 from Winex…that wine has always been hard as nails…don’t think it will ever open up? Still have one bottle left for hope. Actually loved the 94 better!
Have some of the '05 of this, which I bought when I got back into collecting after ceasing at the beginning of the '90’s. @Robert.A.Jr or anyone else tried? I’ve been holding, thinking they were still too young. Thanks for the note and reminding me about these Robert.
I would put off drinking this wine for a few more years to allow for further development. I liked the one bottle I had last year - but recognized that it wasn’t quite ready if you appreciate more developed and nuanced claret. I have a note to revisit in 2027.
How does one do that exactly?