1. Home
  2. General Wine Forum
  3. TN (of sorts) '87 Fixin

TN (of sorts) '87 Fixin

Mongeard-Mugneret, 13% US$14.99 (I guess from Brookline Liquors way back when), a Robert Haas import.

Got back from a few nights work in Paris late this afternoon, then it's my turn to take the kiddie relay as Adele is off to Grenoble on an early train tomorrow. All this an excuse to open something older, with an easy fire-grilled entrecote and broccoli.

(An aside: the joint I was working at had a good selection of BiB by the glass, and were unusually musician friendly, meaning I tried most of it. This really is a good way to handle the by the glass crowd, and at least in Europe there's a fine selection available. I look forward to my next stint there, nice folks.)

I really didn't have a lot of hope for the Fixin. '87 was at best mediocre.

18 years would be old for a Fixin under most any circumstances. What's more, this bottle survived my father-in-law's basement -- many the good claret, alas, was less fortunate -- took a cross country truck trip, and did the Panama Canal (albeit in winter) as a senior citizen. Not exactly a recipe for success, but I figured that with low expectations I'd at least free up a rack slot. And, it being late, I had to mistreat it further. Yes, I admit it: I nuked it in the microwave. Just a little.

Anyway, it was really quite nice. Color very brick, a lovely mature pinot nose, a bit restrained. Fruit fading a bit in the mouth, but still nicely balanced, that Fixin meat and fat structure, with just enough tannins left to support it. A tad short, fair enough, but a very pleasant trouble free tipple.

For those interested in the opinions of the younger generation, read on. 7 year old thought it smelled "intensely grapey" (she pretty much identifies olfactively with grapes) and a taste "brings tears to my eyes," presumably a reference to 13%. Well OK, she prefers whites. 5 year old tasted and yelled "oozing charm!" a reference to My Fair Lady and high praise indeed. Thus, a split decision.

Bottom line, if you're foolish enough to be holding '87 Fixin, don't despair, but do drink up. It might just surprise you.

-E

Reply to
Emery Davis
Loading thread data ...

Sometimes wines from the less highly rated years, especially unripe ones, can surprise you in how long they will last. For example, much Burgundy from 1972 was very lean and had much acid when young. Some of it did just slowly dry up to a very astringent wine with little fruit. However some other 72s became smoother after many years and developed some interesting bouquet. I have tasted 72's from Burgundy at up to 20 years old that still were drinking well. They were by no means fine wines and would not justify buying them and keeping them so long. I do remember tasting a 72 Fixin at a few years age. It might have improved with age, but at an early age the sharp acidity reminded me of a Saar from a cold year. It of course had a red Burgundy taste. I would guess this Fixin might have lasted well for up to 20 years, but I have no idea how it would taste at that age.

My mailbox is always full to avoid spam. To contact me, erase snipped-for-privacy@webtv.net from my email address. Then add snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com . I do not check this box every day, so post if you need a quick response.

Reply to
Cwdjrx _

] Sometimes wines from the less highly rated years, especially unripe ] ones, can surprise you in how long they will last. For example, much ] Burgundy from 1972 was very lean and had much acid when young. Some of ] it did just slowly dry up to a very astringent wine with little fruit. ] However some other 72s became smoother after many years and developed ] some interesting bouquet. I have tasted 72's from Burgundy at up to 20 ] years old that still were drinking well. They were by no means fine ] wines and would not justify buying them and keeping them so long. I do ] remember tasting a 72 Fixin at a few years age. It might have improved ] with age, but at an early age the sharp acidity reminded me of a Saar ] from a cold year. It of course had a red Burgundy taste. I would guess ] this Fixin might have lasted well for up to 20 years, but I have no idea ] how it would taste at that age. ]

Yes, I think the '87 was very acidic in it's youth, too. And probably that's what enabled it to last this long. But perhaps it was a little more generous than "a Saar in a cold year" with its fruit. :) I'm guessing the '72 would have been a bit less agreeable 18 years in; but having just looked I see Hachette rates both vintages 12/20.

-E

Reply to
Emery Davis

DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.