A small group gathered Friday at my place to defend their plates against a voracious Basset hound and try some non-trophy Bordeaux. We started off with charcuterie, cheese, smoked mussels, and Popeyes chicken
2009 Agrapart Minéral Blanc de Blancs Extra BrutChampagne Nervy, not austere, creamsicle with lemon drops and flint, young. B+2004 Philipponnat Clos des Goisses Brut Champagne This was more on the bright side than the full side, not my expectations for Goisses, but really delicious. Apple, lemon, almond, honied but dry finish, great stuff. A-/A
2004 Taittinger Comtes des Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne Coiled compared to the Goisses, a tad reductiive, revisited couple hours much more giving,. Needs time, will be great. A-On to the reds (with short ribs, potatoes, broccoli)
1998 Dalem (Fronsac) This has always had a plummy edge, but now approaching pruney at times. Black plum/prune, mocha, a wine that needs to be drunk, but it had a good run for a cheapie. B-1989 Chasse-Spleen (Haut-Medoc) Friendly, classic claret, ready but with enough underlying tannin to think no hurry, cassis and lead pencil., B+/A-
1989 Ch. de Fieuzal (Pessac) A little more reticent, but some classic Graves tobacco and gravel, could use some time. B+1986 Sociando-Mallet Still some structure, but quite approachable (couple hours decant). Cassis, graphite, cedar with just a hint of Sociando herbaceousness. Really quite lovely and enjoyable. A-/B+
1983 Gloria This was a little cloudy, but I don?t think that affected the wine. Horsey on the nose, definite maderized streak on both nose and palate, unsure if this bottle but really not something I wanted to drink. C/C+ . 1982 Nenin Red fruit, road dust, sweet but a little empty. Decent wine, disappointing for ?82 Pomerol. B-/B1970 Nenin Black and red plum, leather, a little cigarbox. Maybe a little stolid, but at least its solid. B
1962 Lyonnat (Lussac-St.Emilion) I think I liked more than some, though Sasha enjoyed I think. Soft cherry and red plum, forest floor leaves, alive and sweet but a bit wispy. B1961 Ch. d?Issan (375 ml)
61 years is a long time in half bottle, and I?m afraid the patient didn?t make it. Black plum edging to prune, some barnyard, definite ashtray note. C+ 1959 Calon-Segur (375 ml) This half bottle on other hand did just fine! Classic claret, cassis and black cherry intertwined with cedar shavings, tobacco, and saddle leather.. Sweet and complex, good length, best glass was final taste at midnight. A-Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.