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The theme -- loosely -- was 1980's so everyone brought something broadly from that era. There was no requirement to dress thematically or get the hairspray out, but old school tunes were playing as everyone arrived. We gathered in this bucolic region, zoned for horses and vines, and I even saw a big mule deer under a tree on my drive up the winding road (no doubt plotting how to either gobble up a garden or headbutt an innocent SUV).
A number of the wines were served blind but only one was decanted; most were uncorked and allowed to 'slow ox'. The majority had been purchased a long time ago, even on release, but there were a few recent auction acquisitions. Everything seemed sound, except for an off bottle of the 86 Gruaud Larose. (I didn't taste it, so its not in the notes).
There was lots of food. We started with charcuterie, pate, prosciutto, foie gras and bread. Then dinner was lamb, roast vegetables and a green salad. A cheese course was next, and then we closed out with chocolate dipped strawberries. No one left hungry (or thirsty!).
- Lots of great wines, especially from the 80s
88 Perrier Jouet Rose 'Fleur de Champagne' [Champagne] This was from a magnum, and if one wants to keep sparkling for the long haul, methode champenoise in large format will indeed keep better. When this was opened it gave a satisfying 'pop' and was sound and tasty. After having had a flat 1990 'Winston Churchill' a while ago, I knew when we heard hissing fireworks as it was uncorked, that all would be good with this rose!
61 Rivetto [Barolo] orange/citrus, smooth texture, most of the fruit has receded. unusually charming label.
45 Troplong Mondot [St Emilion] This was presented blind, and in a decanter. Tannic, drying, and clearly old, yet dark in color. I had guessed it was from the 40's but thought it was a Pomerol - there wasn't much basis for that guess though. Some scorched earth here. I thought it was pretty tired but others quite liked it. IIRC, during this era the owners of this and Ausone, Belair were all the same.
- BWE West
45 Pontet Clauzure [St Emilion] Presented blind. The label was a little hard to read on this one, and was quite distinctive anyways. I have not heard of this property. It had some flesh, compared to the Troplong. But also some tuna can notes which can happen when scorched berries are used in the vinification. Some hollowness in the midpalate.
66 Beychevelle [St Julien] For my tastes, this showed very well. The vintage is reputed as a hard one, but this example was silky, smooth, polished and dense. The wines from here sometimes gets downmarks for not lasting as long as others from the commune, but this has developed admirably.
66 l'Evangile [Pomerol] Also very good, after its funky nose blew off. The color was a full bricking.
