A nice group gathered at Sutton Inn Tuesday to welcome Patrick in from Colorado. Theme was older Graves. We started with some chacruterie (lonza, coppa, foie gras parfait, etc) and then I had the tuna tartare.
1983 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc Citrus, white cherries and a little wax and coconut. Still young and vibrant. Nice length. A- (one person thought possibly corked and almost convinced another, but not only did I not get must I usually don?t find even slightly corked wines this aromatic)2008 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne Hit the lottery- a non premoxed BdM! Lovely and long, classic young white Burg. A-
I had a mushroom risotto midcourse, and then venison (sides of potatoes, bok choy, mushrooms)
1998 La Tour Haut Brion (double-decanted)Young, promising, but a bit too tannic now. B1979 Haut Bailly (double-decanted) Cassis, cigarbox, elegant with good acids. B+/A-
1979 La Tour Haut Brion corked!1979 Domaine de Chevalier Corked! Too bad, always a favorite
1978 Domaine de Chevalier (double-decanted at 3 pm)Probably neck and neck with Haut Bailly for the most complete for drinking right now. Red fruits but a touch of cassis, earth and tobacco. Some leather/cigarbox with time. B+/A-1970 Pape Clement, (double-decanted) funky and somewhat volatile at first. Calms down a bit (I know VA shouldn?t blow off) with red fruits and chewing tobacco. Interesting but I don?t think correct bottle. B/B-
1983 La Mission Haut Brion (double-decanted at 3 pm)Quite young , cassis with smoke and pencil shavings, earth. Some pipe tobacco and herb notes with air. Lively and classy. A-1994 Haut Brion (double-decanted) what a great showing for an ?88. Cassis, black plum earthy notes of mushroom and decaying leaves. Still some tannic structure, but nice flavor profile. A-
2001 Climens Tried a little with the foie gras and a bit more at end. Young, stunning, totally classic with honey, apricot, and orange marmalade flavors, electric acids holding up richness. A-