A SMALL IMPROMPTU DINNER - Champagnes and Bordeauxs - Washington D.C. (8/13/2014)
Six of us got together last minute for an impromptu dinner. All Bordeauxs showed exceptional well.
Starters
All three showed exceptionally well, especially the CdM.
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1988 Krug Champagne Clos du Mesnil - France, Champagne, Le Mesnil Sur Oger, Champagne
I had no idea that I had this wine almost ten years ago. It has developed beautifully. Just like the 90, very rich and ripe yet laser like precision. It once again reminded me a grave Blanc. As B noted, beguiling red fruits, apricots, anise, yeast, a hint of orange peel, light honey and mineral. Rich palate, beautifully layered fruits, rich sweet red fruit driven palate impression, perfect balance and precision and seamless long finish. Incredibly unique, so much red fruits to be a BdB. Incredibly richness and perfect precision. (99 pts.) -
1996 Bollinger Champagne Grande Année Rosé - France, Champagne
The last time I had this was in 2008. Just incredibly tasty. Decadent red fruits, raspberry essence, raspberry jam, perfectly ripe strawberries, smoke, a hint of crushed white pepper and mineral. Fully body, abundant fine mousse, decadent sweet red fruit driven palate impression, bright acidity and lovely clean finish that lasts. Still very youthful but drinking incredibly well. Highly recommend. (97 pts.) -
2005 Château Haut-Brion Blanc - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Classic HB blanc nose of rich yet subtle yellow fruits, lemon, dry lemon rind, lanoline, anise, biscotti and mineral. Quite oily, rich and dense but the strong presence of mineral keeps the wine’s precision in check. Lovely long finish. It may benefit from a couple hours of decanting. Lovely but the current price makes this a poor QPR, not that people who can afford this would care a lot. (96 pts.)
Younger Bordeauxs
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2001 Château Ausone - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
The 01 right bank wines developed beautifully and drinking incredibly well and this is no exception. The impression of the fruit is sweet and generous, ripe yet fresh black fruits, also a hint of ripe red fruits, milk chocolate, cedar, flowers and mineral. Excellent concentration, rich, silky and polished palate, sweet red fruit driven palate impression, nicely integrated tannins and lovely long finish. Definitely in the early stage of peak drinking but will last as there is ample fruit. (97 pts.) -
1990 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Extremely consistent wine that I just love. This is ripe but still displays the classic Pauillac nose of cassis, earth and lead pencil. Dark fruit driven nose, cassis, crushed blueberries, a hint of caramel, ink, lead pencil and earth. Excellent concentration, intense dark fruit driven palate impression, silky and precise, nicely integrated tannins and lovely long finish. This classic Pauillac is such a pleasure to drink. (96 pts.) -
1995 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
This has developed beautifully and is drinking incredibly well. A classic Pauillac and classic PB. Sweet drank fruits with a hint of ripe red, cassis, blackberry, a hint of cherry, cedar, milky chocolate and lead pencil. Good concentration, silky and polished palate with sweet red fruit, nicely integrated tannins and long finish. Really enjoyable without having to think much. Highly recommend. (94 pts.)
Old Bordeauxs
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1982 Château La Mission Haut-Brion - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
This is more ready than the last bottle I had in March. Intense yet harmonious nose of mostly sweet red fruits, a hint of cassis, plum, cedar, wet tobacco, lead pencil, milk chocolate, steak and mineral. Decadently sweet palate, incredibly silk and sweet palate, exceptional precision and harmony, nicely integrated sweet tannins and seamless long finish. This bottle is drinking incredibly well. (98 pts.) -
1970 Château Palmer - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
The same source as the last two bottles but this is fresh and clean. Sweet red fruits, red cherries, cedar, sweet spices and earth. Fully matured, sweet red fruit driven palate impression, fully resolved tannins and good length. Really tasty. (93 pts.) -
1966 Château Cheval Blanc - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Fully mature nose of tertiary notes, subtle sweet black fruits, a hint of cassis, mushroom, leather, dry tobacco and damp cellar. Good concentration but round and soft, sweet tertiary palate impression, fully integrated tannins and medium length. Sweet but shy tertiary impression. No need to wait. I would love to try from a well stored magnum. (94 pts.) -
1947 Château Nenin - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
If you like the really old Bordeaux with noticeable VA, only sweet and sour red fruits and no sign of tannins, you will like this wine. Subtle sweet red fruits, red cherries, red currants, a hint of smoke, rare steak, leather, damp cellar and a hint of VA. Sweet and sour red fruits, sour cherry jelly beans, fully resolved tannins and long finish with noticeably sour VA end. There is no hint of oxidation but definitely beyond the full maturity. Quite enjoyable but not for everyone. It would be interesting is to serve this as the 47 CB and reveal after everyone’s reaction. (94 pts.)
A great time was had by all!
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