A special vintage

M

Marc D

Marc Davis
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My son is 21 today. So is this bottle. I guess at least one of them is fully mature.

1991 Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie
The wine was a light yellow, youthful color. Initially it had a little smoky old bottle funk, that went away with air. Well, not completely, the funk sort of melded with the more typical Muscadet aromas into a preserved lemon, seaweed, tide pool. The acidity was still there but soft, citrus flavor without the sharp bite. With air the wine got spicy, nutty, someone mentioned cardamon. To me the wine seemed perfect, mature, evolved, but not over the hill. I was caught up in the joy of a special family moment, so of course the wine seemed brilliant. We drank it with Dungeness crabs and grilled corn. A real treat.
 
A tough vintage in the Muscadet, and much of the Loire. Huge frost, very low yields. No separate Briords in '91, not enough wine for two bottlings.

But an intense wine in consequence.
 
When I had it about 2 years ago at Marc's, a very remarquable safron nose and aftertaste hit me. Fantastic purity of taste.
 
The birthday boy said the wine had a taste of salted caramel. Not sweet caramel, it was very dry.

Eric, you hosted Eli and his brother briefly on their bicycle tour in 2010. They still complain about the big hill entering Charnay.
 
No. Marc Ollivier released a mixed case of old vintages maybe 8 years ago.
As a lurker on the boreds I heard about it. Thank you Jay Miller and SF Joe! It had 3 bottles of 88 Briords, 3 of the 91 regular, a 96 and 99 and several 01 Briords I think. I have one more 91 left, everything else is gone.

One of the best cases I've ever bought. Truly educational. I wish he'd do it again, but holding back vintages in stock has to be tough. Thankfully there are still old vintages of Luneau Papin and a little Bregeon around.
 
Nice. Much more distinctive drinking than many folks on their 21st.

I can't remember what I had on my 21st, except for a bit of some sort of whiskey towards the end.
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
Nice. Much more distinctive drinking than many folks on their 21st.

I can't remember what I had on my 21st, except for a bit of some sort of whiskey towards the end.
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Boone's Farm, or some such.
But that was a long time ago . . .
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
Nice. Much more distinctive drinking than many folks on their 21st.

I can't remember what I had on my 21st, except for a bit of some sort of whiskey towards the end.
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My recollection is that the 21st birthday was less of a big deal when the legal minimum drinking age was 18. Although in my case, I do remember both. No decent wine at either. In retrospect, i can say it was a shame that my folks weren't laying down birthyear Bordeaux for me. On the whole, I don't blame them. And it would not have been stored well.
 
Hi Marc, give our best to Eli, glad you had a nice time.

My bro and I confronted the same hill on our bikes in 08, tho bailed out early at Jean Paul's. For some very odd reason, we did not also visit Eric. I do remember my brother's impatience to get going after fifteen or so tastes....
 
originally posted by kirk wallace:
In retrospect, i can say it was a shame that my folks weren't laying down birthyear Bordeaux for me. On the whole, I don't blame them. And it would not have been stored well.
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Don't tell me they sold the castle?
 
I remember my 21st fondly. Blue crabs and beer.

The waitress overpoured from the pitcher, and the head of the beer overflowed the mug. "A regular TV beer!" she exclaimed.
 
originally posted by SFJoe:
originally posted by kirk wallace:
In retrospect, i can say it was a shame that my folks weren't laying down birthyear Bordeaux for me. On the whole, I don't blame them. And it would not have been stored well.
Click to expand...

Don't tell me they sold the castle?
Click to expand...

Kicked out. Broke too much in the scullery.
 
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