Our monthly luncheon group had a wonderful meal at a local restaurant yesterday that featured wines from Saint Emillion as follows:
1961 TROPOLONG MONDET- we started with old to young and this one shined and was my WOTD even though there were really no standouts, just a lot of good wines; since this was not blind, I was biased into accepting the viability and pleasure from drinking a 50 year old wine that offered decent and pleasant spicy, sweet red fruit notes with a softness that followed a youthful and medium red color that betrayed its age.
1981 AUSONE- after the 61, this stepped it up a notch in complexity and depth, but failed to deliver the height and longevity of the experience of the 61; it finished very dry; no question, for the age, these wines were good.
1986 CHAREAU CANON- it did not take long to identify the wet cardboard and corkiness of this wine; a shame.
1988 CHEVAL BLANC- a great bring that did not deliver its fullest potential IMHO; of medium color and body, there were some notes of bell pepper, spice, sandalwood and minimal fruitiness, finishing very dry and astringent.
1999 CLOS de L`ORTOIRE- new to me, this producer made a good wine here; very fruity which I mistakenly took as a Cab Franc contribution which turns out to be 90% merlot; big, complex, smooth, some menthol and mintiness; finishing dry; good drink.
1989 ANGELUS- for me, the Brettiness overwhelmed any of the positive notes; medium color and body, some spiciness and then overwhelmed.
2000 CHATEAU CANET POOLA- seemingly closed and tight, this finally did open to an acceptable level with some decent fruit notes, but closed up on the finish; I do not know if it has more to offer down the line; better with decanting?
2000 CLOS SAINT JULIEN- very youthful with its dark purple color and black fruit expression, this opened up into a fine, enjoyable wine showing blackberry/ black cherry, spice after being welcomed by a nose of the same; I like it and trust it will be even better in 5-10 years.
2000 CHATEAU QUINAULT- 80% merlot, 10% cab and cab franc, this was good wine from another producer not familiar to me; some mintiness and Eucalyptus with soft tannins and a long enjoyable finish.
2003 PAVIE- probably should have been decanted as it initially was tight and suppressed; I`ve had this before and found it to be much more giving which this eventually did offer some salty, spicy talc and oaky notes with a smooth texture and a lot of depth; suspect it will evolve into an even better experience in 8-10 years.
2005 CHARTEAU JEAN-FAURE- displayed a lot of youth and again, would have benefitted from decanting; tight and suppressed fruit notes with a hot, dry and abrupt finish.
2002 TERTRE ROTEBOEUF- showing well, it presented with some spicy, talc, mint, Eucalyptus and okay notes and a nice, long finish.
All in all, a delightful and very enjoyable luncheon with 5 courses and major sized servings, good people and a fabulous ambience in this dinning room at the SB Club.
Cheers