My system is still processing all those lovely steaks, here are my impressions of the wines.
Veuve Cliquot 2008
Served blind…a bit dull, lacking drive, a bit of a yawn, I didn’t want to speak up because I was worried it might be something posher like the next wine…87 pts…my #11th rated wine
Dom Perignon 2008 Rose
Lorra lorra fizz, good length but bitter red wine element on the back - ageworthy, nicely balanced ….then it suddenly goes up a gear as it warms and opens, sadly the last few drops - drank out of an ordinary flute - those last drops were sublime and I can see what the fuss is about, why the well heeled cognoscenti pay up for this stuff - candidate for rose wine of the year…93 pts…my #7wine
Chateau Palmer 1983
Delightful of course, but tired and lacking energy of a good bottle. Good bottles of Ch Palmer 1983, are epic like good bottles of Ch. Margaux 1983, both strong contenders for wotv. But this was nowhere near that level, but at the same time you have no difficultly in quaffing this…91 pts…my #9 wine
Leoville Barton 1985 en magnum
Fully mature now, mellow, almost zen-like, with tobacco and a lovely green note. Based on the first pour, like the Palmer it was losing a little bit of focus and grip, but otherwise still very lovely classical aged claret. It picks itself up, however, and ends up on a high note …93 pts…my #5 wine
Montrose 1985
Cool-fruited, tobacco and smokiness, nicely gripppy and tensile vs the Barton, just a point, and while the Barton came on strong at the end this was my wine of the flight, the difference was the Montrose had that extra bit of exhilarating tension. Just splendid….94 pts…my #3 wine
Duhart Milon 1996
I drank through a whole case of this early maturing 1996 with great pleasure, and Leon’s last bottle continued in that vein. Lafite like entry of lead pencils, cedar without quite the precision or presence of Lafite on the palate, but with appealing earthy tobacco notes. Classic Pauillac, at its apogee now…92…my #8 wine
Mouton Rothschild 1996
Unlike the Duhart, this 1996 has evolved painfully slowly, but it is now beginning to hit its stride. It is much more energetic, multi-faceted, layered and complex than its flight mate. It was my fourth ranked wine in last year’s 1996 tasting behind Lafite Margaux and La Mission, and this was the best bottle yet; but is still not quite fully integrated and fully mature. But is already shaping up to be an epic Mouton, and the best of the 1990s…96+ …my #1 wine of the night
Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissee 2009
Like the Duhart Milon a wine at its apogee, but more complex and interesting. This is ripe, savoury and well into its drinking window, still with a good line of grippy acidity overlaid with autumnal, mineral, ferrous, meaty, peppery and green notes. It finishes ever so well too…94 pts…my #4 wine
Clos Rougeard Poyeux 2004
Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated wine on the table this did not disappoint and exuded class. Absolutely top drawer and beguiling, it is intense with rich but cool fruits and at the same time beautifully balanced, with a refreshing mossy green note…95 pts …my #2 wine
Berardenga Chianti Classico Rancia Riserva 2007
My least favourite wine of the flight and came across as heavy and ponderous compared to the two Loire cab francs…90 pts…my #10 wine
Bonus: Caparsino Chianti Classico Riserva 2012 - now that’s more like it! 93 pts…my #6 wine
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