Some really nice wines with friends over the weekend, consumed slowly with copious amounts of food (not always appropriate - Indian and Chinese, much of it spicy and difficult to pair). Most of them were probably opened at the wrong time - but I'll like to see if others have had similar experiences with these wines.
2003 Dom. de Bongran Macon-Villages Cuve Tradition - intense fruit, some sweetness on the palate and good acidity, but didn't do it for me. I've enjoyed other vintages which had fruit draped over a more obvious frame - this was a bit plump tasting except in the finish.
2005 Tenuta delle Terre Nerre Rosso - frankly delicious, with a complex nose of spring in the mountains, and finesse on the palate despite lots of acidity. I could drink this quite happily on a regular basis.
2000 G. Mascarello Barolo Monprivato - took 24 hours in a decanter to open up and even then we finished it too quickly. Patience required, and I fear that its backbone might prove too much over the long run.
2004 Texier CdP blanc - flowers, pretty, but also semi-closed. Needs time; has barely budged from release.
1996 Duval-Leroy "Femme" - open, bustling, rich and somewhat blowsy champagne. Terrific as an aperitif, as long as one expects commercial-style Champagne.
1998 Coudoulet de Beaucastel - I think it's closed, some others reckon it's past its best. Alcohol pokes through on the finish, but there's still plenty of stuffing. Will check back in 3-5 years time.
2003 Dom. de Bongran Macon-Villages Cuve Tradition - intense fruit, some sweetness on the palate and good acidity, but didn't do it for me. I've enjoyed other vintages which had fruit draped over a more obvious frame - this was a bit plump tasting except in the finish.
2005 Tenuta delle Terre Nerre Rosso - frankly delicious, with a complex nose of spring in the mountains, and finesse on the palate despite lots of acidity. I could drink this quite happily on a regular basis.
2000 G. Mascarello Barolo Monprivato - took 24 hours in a decanter to open up and even then we finished it too quickly. Patience required, and I fear that its backbone might prove too much over the long run.
2004 Texier CdP blanc - flowers, pretty, but also semi-closed. Needs time; has barely budged from release.
1996 Duval-Leroy "Femme" - open, bustling, rich and somewhat blowsy champagne. Terrific as an aperitif, as long as one expects commercial-style Champagne.
1998 Coudoulet de Beaucastel - I think it's closed, some others reckon it's past its best. Alcohol pokes through on the finish, but there's still plenty of stuffing. Will check back in 3-5 years time.