Periodic wine group got together a couple nights ago. Theme was '89 and '90 Bordeaux. Funny thing is everyone brought a '90. That actually turned out to be fun as it allowed us to focus on the vintage. Mr. Y’s food was off the charts great as always.
2009 Bereche & Fils La Cran Ludes 1er Extra Brut
Disgourged Jan 2017. Dosage 3 g/L. Love that they put all that info on the label.
This is a real mouthful. 50-50 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir but to me the pinot dominates. Intensely flavored and minerally. Nice start.
2006 Salon Les Mesnil BdB Brut
I did not expect a Salon to be so rich. The laser beams were set on stun. Very palate filling. The Salon acidity comes on the finish. Nice counterpoint to the Bereche.
First Flight - Pessac and St. Estephe
The assignment of tasting order always comes to me and I honestly struggled with the best way to proceed. I think it worked out just fine. All bottles were in fine form.
1990 Ch. La Mission Haut Brion Pessac-Leognan
This blew everyone away right out of the gate. Classic Haut Brion smoke and stones. A really complete wine early on. But the palate began to fade a bit as the evening wore on.
1990 Ch Montrose St. Estephe
This wine could not have been more different then the LMHB. My #3 wotn. Like the Pichon Baron, I cannot decide if I prefer the '89 over the '90. A great problem to deal with. I have gone through 2 cases of this wine over the years and never had a stinky bottle yet I have heard so much about stinky bottles. The wine gods were looking out for me as well as on this night. A rich lush ripe wine showing leather on a really textured mid-palate and long finish. Great bottle.
Second Flight - Pauillac
1990 Ch. Lynch Bages Pauillac
For some reason I think of Lunch Bags as the working man’s Bordeaux. A tricked-out Ford F-150. Big and solid. Lots of cherry coated pencil lead in the finish.
1990 Ch. Grand-Puy Lacoste Pauillac
This is the only wine of the evening I had no notes on and cannot recall every tasting it. Mr. Y said he thinks a sleeper of a wine and I agree. Even broader in scale then the LB. This may have been a bit of a bruiser in its youth but the substantial tannins are really fine and sweet on the finish. Not sure what the market is these days but highly recommend.
1990 Ch Latour Pauillac
Co-WOTN. Every time I have had a well stored bottle I get blown away. The nose is intense and complex evolving over time in the glass. Perfect balance. Layers upon layers of flavor. Effortless balance. I caught myself closing my eyes every time I put the glass to my nose. Licorice, tobacco and mineral all enveloped on waves of red and dark fruits.
Third Flight - St. Emilion and Pomerol
1990 Ch. Conseilllante Pomerol
Hard follow to the Latour but this was a very good wine on the night and a very good wine on its own.
1990 Chateau Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse St. Emilion
Tied for WOTN. I recently had a not so great bottle but on this night it was showing everything that this wine has been heralded for over the years. Very exotic and complete.
2001 Ch. d’Yquem Sauternes
Had the 1990 last week and it is fantastic. The 2001 is on a whole other level. One of the best d’Yquems I have ever had.
Great night