Second of three stunningly pristine bottles via WineBid. The first, opened tonight as well, was brutally corked, by far the worst I’ve seen. I am not very TCA sensitive and this was obvious from the moment the cork came out of the bottle.
Luckily this second bottle was sound and singing. This is drinking brilliantly at 40 years old. The cork came out easily in one piece with an Ah-So and looked and felt like I could have gotten it out with a corkscrew. The thick chunky sediment coated and stuck to the bottle so tightly that the yield was nearly 100%, pouring into 4 layers of cheesecloth in a funnel over the decanter. The wine was clear and its color is perhaps past garnet but not quite tawny.
After 2 hours in the decanter the nose was explosive and luscious, a melange of Christmas pudding fruit and spices, plum jam, chocolate cherries, fresh and poached figs. A bit of spirity heat.
On the palate the wine is huge and round, with an unctuous texture and not a hint of tannin remaining. The fig and Christmas pudding character predominates on the palate with some orange marmalade and cocoa in the background. The finish is long and lingering and the 20% alcohol is warming and tingly.
Greatly regret the loss of that first bottle, but the second almost makes up for it. Very nice stuff, prefer this to Graham’s of the same year but both are a length or two behind 85 Fonseca (which last is only barely ready to drink and I am betting will still be alive and cheerful on its 65th birthday).
This might be the most powerful, dense dry white wine I’ve ever had. On its own, it was a bit too much for me. Huge and almost overwhelming. But it worked better with food. We had it alongside a local Italian-style King Salmon dish and a wood-fired sourdough pepperoni pizza, and it held its own.
Flavors are intense: pit fruit, tropical notes, and dense seawater salinity. An oaky note, even without the use of new wood in its production. It’s complex and incredibly long, almost to the point of being too much. A good chill helps settle it down.
Made from 50-year-old vines, everything done by hand. It’s the only wine they make.
It’s definitely unique, and I can see why it has fans, but for me it was a little over the top. Considering the price, I don’t think I’ll buy it again. Glad I tried it, though.
Weird day today. We made another life path decision and spent all day working on it. Good but exhausting.
I didn’t feel like cooking, which rarely happens, so we decided to go with raclette. My wife drinks red with raclette, I drink white. Here’s what I pulled for no other reason than i wanted to drink those:
Philippe Bouvret Essencia L’Étoile Vin Jaune 1998
I think this is purchased vin jaune and bottled under a local commercant’s name. I didn’t pay much for it and didn’t expect much. It didn’t offer much. Good vin jaune nose with the expected markers and showing more metallic than nutty or chesse rind. The palate is missing texture and the finish is rather short. However this confirmed that I can still enjoy a sub-par vin jaune when I crave that profile. I’m happy but I wouldn’t encourage you to buy this wine.
Château Magdelaine 2008
I got a bunch of 2008 for cheap. Dark berried and very mineral with a herbal note (mint? eucalyptus?) gving a little depth. The palate is smooth fruit and cool slate, slight grip on the polished tannins and a little acidity holding it together on the finish. It’s missing the texture and personality of other vintages I prefer but this is still a very enjoyable bottle of wine.
As time went on, this developed a red berry finish and the tannins started to show a little more. I’ll give the next one more air and time and see what gives.
Hey Phil, this does sounds a little underwhelming tbh. We had the 2008 as part of a Magdelaine vertical in March and it was on top form. Hope you next bottle is better.
Very 2008, cool and bit lean and tart fruits and quite noticeable acidity. This is not as giving and open as I had hoped. I think I will hold longer as it was still quite primary and unevolved.
Thanks Brodie! When you had the 2008 did it feel a little velvety and polished compared to other vintages? My bottle did start to show some acidity and tannic grip after a while but it still felt a little too smooth…
I’m organizing a “young” Magdelaine vertical in July. Here is the lineup:
Maggies
2018 Leclerc Briant Abyss
XXXX Jean-Marc Vincent Bourgogne-Aligoté Soler-Al Mise No. 1
2011 Château Magdelaine
2010 Château Magdelaine
2008 Château Magdelaine
2005 Château Magdelaine
2004 Château Magdelaine
2002 Château Magdelaine
XXXX Jean Bourdy Galant des Abbesses
Should be fun and I’ll get to compare the '08 against the others.
Rounder citrus fruits, slightly tropical with a bright acid spine that makes this pretty compelling. Oak is in the background adding texture. Medium bodied with pleasing salinity and finish. Bit of fresh fruit topped with honey on toast with flaky sea salt, then… zing!! from the acidity. Great QPR.
2008 Château Magdelaine: dark red, perfumed riper nose than 2011, very youthful but complete. long deep rich dark red plums, a bit of earthy spice. Very impressive now but will be amazing in another 20 years
Although it was not in the note, it was fresh and bright with the acidity providing a lovely frame. I would give it plenty of time in the decanter.
We’ve ended up in Bellingham a couple of time in the last few years (our brewery has lots of connections and my Aunt actually lives out in Fairhaven), and we’ve really enjoyed that place.
