1995 Ducru and Lalande

[Blanquito]

1995 Pichon Lalande and 1995 Ducru Beaucaillou
I just loaded up on these from a private cellar, as mentioned, one on the bigger purchases in my cellar history, so naturally I had to try one of each… These bottles were evidently stored properly, and you could see this in the perfect ullage and minimal cork stain and in the wines themselves as these are still babies, 28 year old babies. Neither wine was really ready to rumble on day 1, but on day 2 both blossomed in a more serious, strict, mineral-driven style, but with plenty of body and depth. At the moment, the Lalande is the more expressive of the two, with a spicy, zesty, purple flower bouquet, and nice energy on the dark chocolate and truffle-infused palate. The Ducru is more mineral and a bit more structured, but has terrific depth and a great layered mouthfeel and finish. Both wines are quite dry, despite all of the body and glycerin, and I doubt either will really ever show overt flamboyance (perhaps akin to the 86s, of which even the best are ironesque and serious). Despite a primary profile and the need for 24+ hrs of air, neither is shut down, nor hard and clenched, just studied and serious. After so long, it is hard to keep hoping for another gear, but I really do think once fully tertiary (at 35-40 years?!) these will ascend to the right hand of the 82 Mouton and show their inner brilliance. 93-94 pts now, 95-97 pts once (if) at their full apogee.

[AlexR]

Patrick,

The $64,000 question is: in another 35-40 years, when the wines are into "full tertiary" and they are 70 years old, what will they have retained of their fruit and vitality?

Alex

[jckba]

I think Patrick meant tertiary in another 7-12 years when they are 35-40 years from the listed vintage date.

[Blanquito]

I think Patrick meant tertiary in another 7-12 years when they are 35-40 years from the listed vintage date.

Yes, this.

Alex, it is indeed the age-old question of fruit v tannin. For some palates, these wines might be considered at peak (at least how they drank on day 2).

[s*d*r]

I’m afraid the ‘95s are the modern day equivalent of the ‘75s and will never properly come around .

If you want to drink wine that actually tastes good, try the ‘96s . . .

[Blanquito]

1975, rather than 1986, could be the (more ominous) comparison for 1995, though the better 95s aren’t anywhere near as hard as the 75s. But I actually like (liked) some 75s in all their goth glory.

Not sure why, but I’ve remained optimistic about the 95s, while having to embrace their serious personalities. I also recall how you, Bill, Chris and probably others, remarked on how long the 64s or 66s took to come around — I’ve only had 64s and 66s once fully mature, and I’ve found what I’ve tried from both vintages thrilling. Chris B’s 1966 Haut Bailly was one of my wines of the week in BWE Denver 2019.

[Comte Flaneur]

I have had very good recent experiences with PLL, Leoville Barton and GPL from the left bank in the 1995 vintage.

One wine I have been looking out for is 1995 Sociando Mallet, which I much prefer to the over-rated 1996. Do you have any left Patrick?

I plan soon to try a bottle of 1995 Leoville Lascases. I buried my dog Twizzler in a case of 1995 LLC two weeks after the convention. He was a small dog and fitted perfectly into the box.

[Blanquito]

A fitting tribute to Twizzler, Ian.

As you know, I am a big fan of the 95 Sociando, probably my favorite post-90 vintage from them. Checking, I see I still have 7 of these! (I have bought it at auction several times in recent years once I discovered how good it is, often getting it for less than $60/per all-in, which I consider tremendous QPR).

Ian, what’s your guess on the date until ultimate peak maturity for the top dozen or so Left Bank 95s?

[Comte Flaneur]

Last time I had Lafite - with you Patrick - in Oct 2021 - it had a long way to go to reach its apogee - probably ten years?
Last time I had Latour a couple of years ago it was surprisingly accessible and in a good place
Mouton and Margaux are excellent but still young
Haut Brion is right there and wotv contender - likewise La Mission
Of the super seconds the Pichons are drinking really well, so is Palmer; Ducru and LLC are still backward, Cos? Close?
So most of them if not already there are there or thereabouts.
The right banks are generally a lot more accessible.

[Blanquito]

That 95 Lafite was so good… and so young. Revisit at age 40.

[robert goulet]

My '95 Baron last year was pretty tight...but I like '95 as a whole....Grand Puy being one of my favs

[JimS]

Opened a 1995 PLL actually last week at a wine dinner on Thursday (my contribution )....

For well stored bottles (and mine was), I still think this could use an additional 5 if not 10 more years, easy. After 90 min or so of decanting, it started to come around, and showed generally quite well, but always felt a bit reticent and held back....will that ever change? I don't know, but no downside in holding several more years to see in my opinion as I don't see it fading for a long time.

The winner that night was actually a Ridge Monte Bello (2004) with this wine and a 2000 LLC (painfully young, but still lovely) bringing up the flank...

[robert goulet]

A few years back I had 2 '95 Pontet Canet in the same yr....one was amazingly expressive and classic....the other?....Hardly Nada

[DavidG]

Funny how that works. Old wine is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.

[Nicklasss]

A few years back I had 2 '95 Pontet Canet in the same yr....one was amazingly expressive and classic....the other?....Hardly Nada

Sometimes, do we blame the wine too quickly? And if it was the taster who had a different perception, because of a different mood? .

[JimHow]

I did enjoy the 2002 Lafite at your wedding dinner more than when I had it in Texas with Stefan and Jal. Hmmm. One bottle left.

[robert goulet]

A few years back I had 2 '95 Pontet Canet in the same yr....one was amazingly expressive and classic....the other?....Hardly Nada

Sometimes, do we blame the wine too quickly? And if it was the taster who had a different perception, because of a different mood? .

No 2 barrels are the same