Both of these wines were impressive on Tuesday night last week. The venue was Trevor Wine Bar in Toronto, which does free corkage on Tuesday and Wednesdays. Good service and nice food. The seared Foie Gras, was certainly not the best I’ve had. It felt a bit raw in the middle with some sinew in my portion. On the other hand, the main course of Braised Beef with Risotto and Suncoke Chips was absolutely delicious and a marvelous match with the red.
2001 Château Coutet – France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac (12/9/2014)
Just another awesome showing here. Great producer, great vintage. The balance is impeccable. Nose is of marzipan, honey, fresh orange peel and a medium plus level of botrytis via some forest undergrowth notes. Palate is amazingly balanced, not at all cloying. The gorgeous fresh citrus notes dance across the palate. The Acid, Residual Sugar, Viscosity and Botrytis are all at the perfect levels to my palate. Little to no oak noted. Finish is long. (94 points)
1990 Château Kirwan – France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux (12/9/2014)
Killer showing here from the humble Chateau Kirwan. Exceeded expectations. A initial warning to those sensitive to Brett: on first pour this was loaded with it, however it did ‘integrate’ and become part of the complete package, though never went away. This was fine for me but others might find it off-putting. It pours fully opaque with an inky core and moderate bricking at the rim. Nose is of fire pit, smoke, band-aid, old wet leather, wet farm hay, waxy varnished cedar, back cherry, dark plum, and blackberry coulis. You can tell this came from a warm vintage as the fruit is quite dark and lush. Palate isn’t quite as good as the nose, but is close. The lush round plummy fruit caresses on entry and lingers through the mid palate. Some still remaining, slightly hard and vaguely bitter tannin holds things back just a touch. Acids remain fresh and present despite the lushness. Finish is medium plus in length built on smoke, old leather and black cherry. Lovely! (93 points)