BWE London 2023: The Epilogue

[Comte Flaneur]

[SF Ed]

Are we to focus on the "small" bottle in the background?

SF Ed

[JoelD]

Great addition! Those Ducru's don't look too bad either.

[Comte Flaneur]

Blanquito and his family have been in France for the last few days and came back to London last night before flying back to Denver today.

So we thought we would try these two, with the 1971 being Patrick’s birth year. Both showed well, but both were coming towards the end of their respective drinking windows.

The 1971 had a more seductive entry of November bonfires, cigarettes/1970s cafe/ashtray and richer tobacco notes, while the 1970 had a bit more heft and persistence on the palate, with wet gravel, and pronounced ferrous notes. It was difficult to choose between them.

I think I marginally preferred the 1970 - probably a 93 vs a 92. They were both in good condition for their age while the 1971 was marginally behind the one we drank together a year and a half ago.

Indeed it reminded me of the contest between the 1961 and 1962 Ducrus when Patrick was last in town in October 2021, with the 1971-also featuring. Last night’s bottles did not quite have the magic of the 1961 and 1962, but they both showed well and it was an ideal opportunity to drink them.

For the birthday boy, who celebrates his anniversary tomorrow.

[greatbxfreak]

I had DB 1970 and 1971 during vertical in November last year. 1970 was better than 1971, and I rewarded 1970 with 95p and 1971 with 93p. 1070 is a Left Bank year, and 1971 is a Right Bank year. TNs are available on my website.

[Comte Flaneur]

I agree Izak. Ducru is a very good ‘71 but I can’t remember tasting any outstanding 71 left banks - though Ch Margaux tasted in Nov 2021 was surprisingly good - but I have had few outstanding 1971 left banks most notably La Fleur Petrus.

[Blanquito]

As Ian covers, we had one last wine dinner on my return home from Europe. Such a treat to get one last evening with Ian and a couple of fully mature Ducru.

Ian captures both wines, though I slightly preferred the 71 (birth-year bias?) for its more expressive and complex aromatics and it’s wonderful minty length. But they were quite close in quality and as Ian says, very much into the final stages of their drinkability (non-Francois division).

Thanks again BWE and Ian for an incredible trip! Only wish the UK were closer, then I’d fly over more regularly to partake in life-changing friendship and wine.

[Comte Flaneur]

Happy Birthday Blanquito!

I think Patrick would flourish as an academic at King’s College or Imperial College London and I think Kim and the kids are quite charmed by London and France.

[robert goulet]

'71 is my birth yr. too...Sadly the only '71 bordeaux I've consumed is ai modest Ch. Chauvin, which was actually quite nice...its so much fun tasting these old wines...I've stopped buying young bordeaux unless they are daily drinkers...the new age style kinda bores me, they seem to lack the pure soul of yesteryear.


Well done boys and HBD Blanquito!!...cheers

[JoelD]

Happy Birthday Patrick!

How great that you did London BWE+Paris with the family as a bday trip. You should have let us sing to you like we did for Daniela!

[Nicklasss]

Nice way to extend your trip adding France with the family. Nice report on the two DB.

Happy birthday blanquito, and looking forward next time we'll get together.

[stefan]

Happy birthday, Patrick! Hope to see you soon.