We started with a 2010 Gravner Brianco Breg from the list. A crazy aged orange wine that was really good. A description pulled from the Interweb:
To me it tasted like a combo of Aperol, blood orange, and Chardonnay. Very deep. Not an everday wine but very enjoyable.Grape blend obtained from four different vine varieties (Sauvignon blanc, Pinot grigio, Chardonnay and Riesling italico) which are fermented separately and aged together.
While fermenting in Georgian amphorae buried underground, it underwent a long maceration with wild yeasts and no temperature control. After the drawing off and pressing phases the wine was poured back into amphorae for five more months before it started ageing in large oak barrels, where it was left for six years. Wine is bottled without fining or filtration.
We then had a 2005 Charles Joguet Clos de la Dioterie Chinon. Hugely reduced and funky, ripe and fruity but not my cup of tea. For me it either needs more time or I just don't like the style. Others liked it much more than me.
We also had a corked 1985 Phelps Backus. A shame as those old Phelps wines are a real treat.
The main event were a pair of Bordeaux - 1986 Lynch Bages and 1986 Gruaud Larose
The 1986 Lynch Bages was not flawed but not singing either. It felt muted. Not corked or flawed, but without the backbone or fruit of other bottles I've had. It was correct with all the typical Pauillac flavors, but not its best showing.
The 1986 Gruaud Larose was fantastic. I've had this wine a lot and this is the best bottle I've ever tasted. Incredible. A perfect bottle, still young and not fully evolved. Full of ripe fruit, long tannins only partially resolved, and mindbogglingly awesome. Drinks well now but will continue to drink well for 50 more years if well-kept. Clear WOTN for me.
We finished with a 1986 Climens. A really good showing from a really good wine. Finally becoming mature. Both light on its feet and rich, perfect botrytis, the template for what Climens can be. Better than 2001, if that is possible. Seamless. Drink now and for the next 30 years.
It was great seeing Blanquito and his buddies, and it was yet another example of the power of BWE to bring people together to share wine and life.
SF Ed