Wednesday night TN: 1988 Beaucastel

WINE TALK
1

Visited a new BYOB in the area called A La Maison (link below) in Ardmore, so I thought I would break out some French wine. This was drinking very nicely tonight, with no perceptible brett, primarily red fruits and that garrigue nuance that you get in nice southern Rhones. A perfect match for my short ribs bourguignon [welldone.gif] . IMO, the '88 is often a forgotten vintage due to the two wines that followed it, and while this wine is not a WOW wine like it’s two younger siblings, it’s still a rock-solid drink that is pretty much at peak right now. I saw no signs of imminent demise, but if you have this in the cellar, you owe it to yourself to pull a cork soon, as this is quite delicious right now.

http://www.alamaisonbistro.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2

Totally agree! I love the '88!!!

3

I think the '88’s moved into a pretty sweet spot the past couple of years. There was always a little bit of an austere factor to the wine that’s really smoothed out recently. It’s drinking superbly now.

4

I bought a bunch at auction 10 year ago and it was drinking pretty nicely then. As you said, it ain’t the 89 or 90, but not shabby.