Lovely dinner with friends at fermentAsian last night.
2008 Giaconda Chardonnay Estate Vineyard: Really humming along nicely under screwcap. Has some toast and butter development along with a core of intense white peach fruit. It has plenty of spice, good volume and outstanding length. One of Australia’s very best.
1976 Joseph Drouhin Pommard: Have had a few '76’s lately that have performed really well and this continued the theme. Lovely nose of strawberries, freshly tilled earth and aniseed. Calm and even in the mouth, with a lacy feel and plenty of fruit. The finish is quite savoury and possesses good energy.
1996 Domaine Jamet Côte-Rôtie: A cool and expressive nose of menthol, wild herbs, briary fruits and earth. Nice proportion, balance and detail in the mouth. It is still relatively compact and has a fine line of minerally acidity. The finish has good cut.
1974 Château Cheval Blanc: A splendid bottle from a lesser vintage. The nose was pure and fresh, showing notes of violets, cedar, tobacco and cassis. It was not particularly deep or long in the mouth but has terrific proportion and balance. Flavours were all bright and clear and whilst there’s some tertiary nuance sneaking in, it remains youthful and expressive the whole bottle through.