We met at Ian’s house in Eden Park to sample some mature Bordeaux, topped and tailed by Perrier Jouet, a 2022 Kumeu River Chardonnay Ray’s Road from Hawkes Bay (rather than from the KR HQ North of Auckland), and a 1997 Penfold’s Grange.
The KR was lean and clean, weighing in at a trim 12.5% abv and still a youngster.
The first Claret we opened was Ch La Lagune 1997. What a beautiful elegant wine, it really sang for us.
Next up Gruaud Larose 1985 showed very well despite its 12,000 mile journey, likewise the GPL 1996, showed very well too, two good examples of mature left banks.
Then we tried 2008 Leoville Barton, which was surprisingly backward. I say surprisingly because when I last tried it nine years ago it already seemed open for business.
The most disappointing claret was the 2004 Giscours, which was painfully awkward, and clearly not ready to drink, though it was popped and poured at the last minute, so perhaps it would have been different if it had been given a good decant.
The Penfolds had the trademark Grange signature, with some ripe and distinctive berry and eucalyptus notes and was surprisingly sleek on the palate. A good wine but lacked the nuance of the mature clarets and I actually preferred the La Lagune.
It was a pleasure to meet Ian, his wife, family and friends for a splendid evening.
