The Coonawarra Single Bottle Club’s Christmas dinner relied on a very simple theme that brought a diversity of wines and it was one of those nights when all of the wines looked great.
2004 Denis Pommier Chablis 'Beauroy '1er
Still relatively fresh, but showing some honey and beeswax development on a lithe frame.
2017 Domaine 'Bouchard Meursault ‘Perrieres’ 1er
Quite broad shouldered and dense, and showing more than a hint of oak, but with air it settles down and stain the palate with ripe and dense stone fruits and spice.
2002 Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot Vosne-Romanee
In a perfect place. Captivating spice and rose petal aroma. Dark satsuma plums, earth and the most supple, integrated texture.
2004 Domaine Dujac Morey-Saint-Denis 1er
Very little of the mirepoix 04 character, nicely ripe and juicy black fruits with good richness and again a dark, juicy palate, with complexing earthy tones. Perhaps the best '04 that I have seen.
2000 Chateau Haut-Bages-Liberal (Pauillac)
Still relatively young. Ripe tannins, dark cassis and plum fruits, integrated oak, lead pencil and earth. Very well balanced and rather tasty.
1990 Chateau Trotanoy
Ready to drink, not quite the density of the Haut-Bages-Liberal. Quite mature now, showing more development with tobacco and truffle goodness.
2015 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino
Young, firmish with mineral acid backbone, autumnal fruits and herbs. Give it a few years.
2018 Poggio al Tesoro Bolgheri Superiore ‘Dedicato a Walter’
Don’t know much about this one but one of our group had just returned from a Mediterranean cruise and purchased this during a day trip to Bolgheri. He bought it as it was the highest priced wine in the shop! Vin de guard style, dark and dripping with fruits, generously oaked, dense still rather primary. '100% Cabernet Franc.
2006 Vietti Barolo ‘Rocche’
Soy and dried cherry. Dark and penetrating, still on an upward trajectory, still shedding its primaries. Not quite at the level of the 2004 but rather tasty.
2010 Yalumba ‘The Signature’ Shiraz Cabernet
Like a comfortable pair of shoes. Very familiar black fruits and spice, pot-pourri, mid weight on the palate, juicy, integrated and very approachable. Old style Barossa and in the perfect spot now.