We had 2 very good bottles this WE, I was going to post about the first, but the second deserves a mention also.
Ch. St Jean, Cinq Cepages 1995. With salt crusted roast chicken, coco beans in olive oil with fresh shallots and garlic. Although the 94 was predictably the "better" bottle, time has proved this to be a very well made wine indeed. Tannins now fully resolved, very elegant almost St. Julien-like profile: graphite, stone fruits, a little leather, very balanced and good length. DS = A.
Dom. Raspail-Ay Gigondas 1998. With rabbit in cognac, mustard and rosemary beurre blanc, served with buttered peas and wheat. Beautiful black cherry nose, powerful with out getting jammy, good balance, bit of pepper and thyme, finishing just a little short. Tons of sediment and I didn't decant, fearing it wouldn't make it through the meal. Fabulous match, though. DS = A-.
-E