TN: way too much wine with the SF crowd
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2016 12:20 am
I was visiting SF so MichaelP, SF Ed, me and our spouses along with a few new friends got together last night to drink way too much Bordeaux. None of us took formal notes so these are more flash impressions. Overall we got very lucky with a large number of bottles, many quite old, all being sound, in great shape, and with no taint problems. SF Ed brought his Durand, which got a workout with all the older corks. A good portion of these wines had all been cellared by the participants either from release, or were purchased decades ago. Everything was also pop and pour, no decanting.
55 Haut Maillet [Pomerol] A legendary vintage in Pomerol. And very delicious, much cleaner example than the last one we had maybe a year ago. I think it was my SO's favorite wine. Bottle shape a bit different than modern 750ml's btw.
70 Clos Rene [Pomerol] Very smooth, silky, and delicious. One of the sandy soil terroir Pomerols but seems to age well enough in the good years.
82 Kirwan [Margaux] Very good too, maybe not as floral as the typical older Margaux. Masculine. We talked a little about this is such a good estate in the years people have tried, but it seems somewhat underrepresented in people's cellars, and tasting experiences.
89 Clos Rene [Pomerol] This might be the first time I've ever seen multiple Clos Rene at a tasting. This was deeper than the 70, more concentrated. It was an excellent vintage in this AOC. If I saw this at fair price, I'd be tempted.
95 Pichon Lalande [Pauillac] This was a great example. We've had some variability with this, but this was a point. Based on this bottle the argument over this versus the 96 came up again. Love the cedar, the depth here.
95 Bon Pasteur [Pomerol] A chunkier Pomerol than the other on the table. Fleshy, fruity, mature and quite lovely. Great way to compare Rolland's influence versus other peers.
98 La Conseillante [Pomerol] Another excellent, elegant wine. Very classy. Still has a long life ahead of it. Fabulous vintage in the right bank, and most are drinking very well today.
09 Giscours [Margaux] Brilliant, deep, concentrated, and very youthful. Compared to all these mature wines its still showing the youthful fruit and big tannins.
We had started with a Ganevat white from the Jura. These are unusual, made in a sherry like manner.
Closed out with sweet Bordeaux too
76 Lafon [Sauternes] very light color. I'm not familiar with this estate, nor this vintage in Sauternes. It was pretty good. This is not Raymond Lafon btw. It's not seen much in the US.
01 Coutet [Barsac] very thick, dark, and rich. not as crisp as other years. it has lots and lots of life yet. We all bemoaned the foolishness of buying Sauternes EP.
I might have missed a wine. We consumed a lot, and I wasn't feeling so chipper this morning!
Last night reinforced how well Bordeaux can age, when kept properly.
55 Haut Maillet [Pomerol] A legendary vintage in Pomerol. And very delicious, much cleaner example than the last one we had maybe a year ago. I think it was my SO's favorite wine. Bottle shape a bit different than modern 750ml's btw.
70 Clos Rene [Pomerol] Very smooth, silky, and delicious. One of the sandy soil terroir Pomerols but seems to age well enough in the good years.
82 Kirwan [Margaux] Very good too, maybe not as floral as the typical older Margaux. Masculine. We talked a little about this is such a good estate in the years people have tried, but it seems somewhat underrepresented in people's cellars, and tasting experiences.
89 Clos Rene [Pomerol] This might be the first time I've ever seen multiple Clos Rene at a tasting. This was deeper than the 70, more concentrated. It was an excellent vintage in this AOC. If I saw this at fair price, I'd be tempted.
95 Pichon Lalande [Pauillac] This was a great example. We've had some variability with this, but this was a point. Based on this bottle the argument over this versus the 96 came up again. Love the cedar, the depth here.
95 Bon Pasteur [Pomerol] A chunkier Pomerol than the other on the table. Fleshy, fruity, mature and quite lovely. Great way to compare Rolland's influence versus other peers.
98 La Conseillante [Pomerol] Another excellent, elegant wine. Very classy. Still has a long life ahead of it. Fabulous vintage in the right bank, and most are drinking very well today.
09 Giscours [Margaux] Brilliant, deep, concentrated, and very youthful. Compared to all these mature wines its still showing the youthful fruit and big tannins.
We had started with a Ganevat white from the Jura. These are unusual, made in a sherry like manner.
Closed out with sweet Bordeaux too
76 Lafon [Sauternes] very light color. I'm not familiar with this estate, nor this vintage in Sauternes. It was pretty good. This is not Raymond Lafon btw. It's not seen much in the US.
01 Coutet [Barsac] very thick, dark, and rich. not as crisp as other years. it has lots and lots of life yet. We all bemoaned the foolishness of buying Sauternes EP.
I might have missed a wine. We consumed a lot, and I wasn't feeling so chipper this morning!
Last night reinforced how well Bordeaux can age, when kept properly.