Solihull Fine Wine Society April meeting at Rowlands in Edgbaston. Subject was "claret".
All blind as usual, and one ringer .
First flight of three.
Clos du Marquis 1997. A rather dull wine, with a clean undeveloped smoky nose. Nose opened up after an hour. Most pleasant fruit and tannins in balance, faint bitter finish. A classic lunchtime claret.
Chasse-Spleen 1995. depth and bright. A classic spice, plums cigars pencils.Reflected on palate. Soft fruit but big tannins. Long. Ok now, but try again 2 years. Will be good.
Cape Mentelle Oz 2001, cab/merlot. Deep with purple edge, dumb sweetshop nose, chocolate. Firm fruit and very up front colonial. All spotted the ringer.
2nd flight of three.Carruades de Lafite., 1996. depth and hint of purple, big legs, complex blackcurrant, cigar box, organic. Raw fruit and tannins, long. Too young try again 2 years. Rather nice.
Bahans de Haut Brion 1996. deep and brooding, cassis and figgy nose. restrained. Big fruit entry with raw tannins. long. but a rather astringent finish, which did not bode well for the future.
Pavillon Rouge de Ch Margaux 1996. The lightest yet brightest of the flight. A real spearmint nose,oak and cinnamon. Wonderful well knit palate with long fruit and spice. My wine of the night.
Third flight of two.
Ch Canon 1943. A brown pale old lady, a pungent port nose with farmyard nuances. Wonderful soft long flavour of smoked bacon. Wonderful. I went for a 1955 Palmer.
Ch Petrus 1976. A mahogany wine with an incredible syrah nose of menthol and tomatoes. Wet paper and dusty cupboards. Died in glass after 20 mins, Superb soft entry, fruit and spice, long. drying out yet wonderful.. A classic example of old claret rhones and burgs coming together in unison. I plumped for "claret" 1959 or 55.
Went home and looked up 1943. Broadbent says its the best of the wartime vintages, some wines being as good as the 45's
Broadbent slammed the Petrus, but Parker thought it pleasing and he got the tomatoes on the nose. A rare taste of a famous wine, and not cheap>