Originally posted 12/11/00
On Saturday I got together with about 26-27 hardy souls from Robin Garr's board for the 3rd Annual NYC Bordeaux Bash. I've finally recovered sufficiently to post notes.
The notes are in the order tasted. Overall I'd have to say the wines did not disappoint. There were of course a few corked bottles and I did miss a few wines, but with a couple of exceptions, there were no terrible wines.
Brad
1989 Haut Brion- Blanc-Pessac-Lognan
Those of us that arrived early and saw Paul North unveil this bottle were giddy. On the nose, the wine delivered what was expected. Powerful and enticing, full of butterscotch, honey, hay and light hazelnuts. However, the wine was disappointing on the palate. Showed a lot of leanness with a strong waxy streak. There was a bit of lemon and a bit too much wood, especially on the finish, with disjointed alcohol. An initial nail polish remover flavor blew off with a bit of swirling. A bad bottle, or perhaps a continuation of my general dislike of white Bordeaux? B-.
1996 Domaines des Baumard- Savennires
I havent had this wine since release and it has tightened up considerably in the past couple of years, though still delivered some tasty goods. Aromatic nose of your typical dry Chenin Blanc. Plenty of quince, lemons and mineral. Shows hidden richness with similar flavors as aromas with the addition of grapefruit pith and bitter almonds. Good stuff and best left alone for a while. A-.
1998 H. Dnnhoff- Riesling Sptlese, Nahe- Schlossbckelheimer Kupfergrube
From one of my favorite German producers, this wine delivered big time. While the nose was a bit reticent, showing glimpses of peaches and minerals, it packed a most delicious punch on the palate. Intense stone fruits, guava and wet stones from a frigid mountain stream. Perfectly balanced with crisp acidity and medium sweetness. Hold off on to this one. Its a keeper! Solid A-.
1985 Latour Pomerol- Pomerol
Earthy nose with light caramel and red cherry aromas. Soft with fully resolved tannins. Its a bit weak in the mouth feel and concentration department and dominated by earthy flavors, fading red cherry, light cedar and a touch of dried up cigar. Past peak, but still interesting and not bad with food. B/B-.
1986 Lynch-Bages- Pauillac
Nose dominated by earthy/mushroomy aromas with that typical Lynch Bages stink and some dark cherry. With air it grew a bit more intriguing with chocolate and black licorice aromas surfacing. On the palate it shows a little flat and a little soft in the acidity department. Tannins are surprisingly soft for an 86. Quite earthy with cherry and tobacco flavors being the most pronounced. Finishes a little dry. Not bad, but I was expecting more from it. Low B+.
1989 La Dominique- St. Emilion
Wow! A much more enjoyable nose than when I had it last, about two years ago. Then I found the nose to be quite herbal, but today its showing off lots of fragrant and rich black and red fruit, chocolate, light herb and tertiary aromas. On the palate lush, open and friendly with like flavors with the addition of spicy cedar, though its also starting to develop more mature earth and tobacco notes. Everythings well-integrated and balanced. Delicious stuff thats approaching peak or just there. A big change in the last two years. A/A-.
1990 La Dominique- St. Emilion
This wine changed dramatically with air time. Initially there was too much alcohol on the nose and lots of heat on the palate. However, things calmed down revealing a delicious wine that was quite different from its 89 brother. The 90 is a much sterner, darker and backward wine at this stage. There are some big tannins that need more taming and the fruit is darker and more roasted than in the 89. Theres also some nice chocolate and anise notes on the nose and palate, though it takes on a bitter cocoa edge in the mouth. A work in progress with good things to come. Solid A-.
1990 Canon- St. Emilion
Gorgeous nose of rich black and red fruit, light cinnamon and cedar with a dash of chocolate. The wine shows great focus and sophistication on the palate. Theres terrific fruit here with developing earth notes and herb, cedar and tobacco framing things nicely. Well integrated, but still firmly tannic and in need of further cellaring. A/A-.
1986 Hautes-Bages-Libral- Pauillac
Nose dominated by earth and mushroom aromas with underlying cherry, chocolate and cedar. Coarse and chunky on the palate in a nice rustic way. Similar flavors as on the nose with high acid levels and slightly drying tannins on the finish. At peak. Solid and interesting wine thats better washing down a mouthful of lamb chops than on its own. B+/B.
1993 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse-de-Lalande- Pauillac
Lots of herbal aromas on the nose with some red fruit and mineral. Light weight and astringent on the palate. Herbs really dominate here. Way too much for my tastes. What red cherry is present shows a greenness to it. Not all that pleasant and I wouldnt expect it to get any better. The tough vintage shows here. B/B-.
1994 Loville-Poyferr- St. Julien
Chocolate and oak dominate the nose with a bit of black cherry and earth aromas. Similar flavors on the palate with the oak sticking out a bit more than Id like. Firm, woody and lightly astringent tannins with a touch of bitterness on the finish. Still, theres some good fruit here and overall the wine is enjoyable. B+/B.
1989 Smith-Haut-Lafitte- Pessac-Lognan
A much better showing than when I tried it two years ago. Lots of sweet black fruit, anise and chocolate on the nose. Low-acid and open on the plate with softened tannins. Sweet black fruit abounds as does mineral, anise and herbs. Delicious to drink now, though the tannins sneak up a little on the finish. A-.
1988 La Mission-Haut-Brion- Pessac-Lognan
Great graves nose of rich, black gravelly earth, tar and green tobacco. Nice black fruit on the palate with lots of tobacco, rich earth, herbs and tar. This bottle shows softer tannins than the previous two Ive tried. Finish is a tad green and a little short and the wine does lack some of the richness of vintages just before and following it, but its a solid wine from one of my favorite estates. A-/B+.
1979 Palmer- Margaux
Delightful nose, elegant and sweet and filled with sweet red cherry, earth, leather and cedar. Not as nice on the palate, but it still holds ones interest and is quite good with food due to the very high acid levels. Light cherry, earth and cedar flavors. Tannins have faded and the wine is a bit short on the finish. Past peak and heading further south, but still providing pleasure, though more in an olfactory sense. B.
1990 Gruaud Larose- St. Julien
I must confess to never really liking this wine all that much. Ive always found it way too herbal, a bit stinky and too rough. Tonight was no exception. Nose was a bit tight, but swirling brought out lots of herb, stinky earth, tar and black fruit aromas. Still firmly tannic with herb flavors dominating way too much on the palate. Not my style at all. Third time tasted with consistent notes. B/B-.
1975 Trotanoy- Pomerol
I was able to get a tiny mouthful of this gem as someone brought about of a bottle that had been opened earlier in the day. This wine was much more advanced on the palate than the last time I had it when it came from magnum. Shows an elegant intellectual side with red fruitcake, leather, cedar and earth flavors and aromas. Still holding together though starting to fade a bit. A little drying on the finish. A nice treat that should be consumed sooner rather than later. A-.
1982 Gruaud Larose- St. Julien
In contrast to the 90, this has always been my favorite Gruaud. Rich, brooding nose of tar, black fruit, light barnyard, earth and herbs. Intense on the palate with great length and stuffing. Well balanced with still bold tannins. Tar, earth and tobacco dominate with black fruit and herb currently in the background. Nice stuff thats probably at peak, but has lots of years ahead of it at peak before starting the long slide down. Solid A-.
1990 Prieur-Lichine- Margaux
Sweet ripe, lightly jammy fruit, cedary oak and chocolate aromas. Ripe and nicely concentrated on the palate with similar flavors as aromas. Nice harmony and integration. Light herb notes appear on the finish as do still firm, though softening tannins. Not the most complex wine, but very tasty and enjoyable and this stage. A-.
1975 Haut-Batailley- Pauillac
Muted nose shows earth, fading red cherries and citrus. Horrid on the palate. Screaming acidity and dry, astringent tannins. The wine has met its maker. D+.
1990 Meyney- St. Estphe
A little touch of a pleasant stink on the nose with herbs, anise, black fruit and earth. Similar on the palate to the 90 Gruaud Larose but a little smoother and less herbal. Nice cherry, light tar and earth flavors. This bottle is showing a bit more youth than previous bottles. Still plenty of time ahead of it. A-/B+.
1978 Domaine de Chevalier- Blanc- Pessac-Lognan
I think my friend .sasha peed in the bottle and added oak. Awful stuff. D+.
1971 Climens- Sauternes, Barsac
Wow! I generally dont love Sauternes, but this wine was terrific! Deep gold in color with a rich, complex nose of hazelnuts, honey, grilled pineapple and candied orange peel. Stunning on the palate and still showing a bit of youth. Everything is integrated and just singing right now with surprisingly zingy acidity providing a nice supporting frame. Similar flavors as aromas with the addition of fresh tea leaves. Long, honeyed pineapple finish. Delicious! Solid A.
1991 The Royal Tokaji Wine Co.- Tokaji Asz, 5 Puttyonos, Betsek
Shows a lot older than it is as it presumably was made before the Tokaji revival that is currently underway and began with the '92-'93 vintages. Amber colored with lightly oxidized notes on the nose along with nuts, apricot and raisins. Similar flavors with nice sweetness and balanced by acidity. So long as something is sweet and balanced, Ill like it. B+.
1989 Cantemerle- Haut-Mdoc
Effusive, rich and ripe nose that gushes red and black fruit, light oak, espresso and meat. Fairly plush on the palate with like flavors as aromas with the meat being a little bit more pronounced. Lacks a little punch in the mid-palate, but altogether a lovely, fairly soft and open drink now. A-/B+.
1996 Pavie-Macquin- St. Emilion
Loads of coffee and oak on the nose that suppresses the fruit a bit. Alcohol is too apparent on the nose, as well. Shows a bit too much wood on the palate. Espresso and cherry flavors dominate. Tannins are a little woody and astringent and the wine generally lacks richness and is rather boring. B/B-.
On Saturday I got together with about 26-27 hardy souls from Robin Garr's board for the 3rd Annual NYC Bordeaux Bash. I've finally recovered sufficiently to post notes.
The notes are in the order tasted. Overall I'd have to say the wines did not disappoint. There were of course a few corked bottles and I did miss a few wines, but with a couple of exceptions, there were no terrible wines.
Brad
1989 Haut Brion- Blanc-Pessac-Lognan
Those of us that arrived early and saw Paul North unveil this bottle were giddy. On the nose, the wine delivered what was expected. Powerful and enticing, full of butterscotch, honey, hay and light hazelnuts. However, the wine was disappointing on the palate. Showed a lot of leanness with a strong waxy streak. There was a bit of lemon and a bit too much wood, especially on the finish, with disjointed alcohol. An initial nail polish remover flavor blew off with a bit of swirling. A bad bottle, or perhaps a continuation of my general dislike of white Bordeaux? B-.
1996 Domaines des Baumard- Savennires
I havent had this wine since release and it has tightened up considerably in the past couple of years, though still delivered some tasty goods. Aromatic nose of your typical dry Chenin Blanc. Plenty of quince, lemons and mineral. Shows hidden richness with similar flavors as aromas with the addition of grapefruit pith and bitter almonds. Good stuff and best left alone for a while. A-.
1998 H. Dnnhoff- Riesling Sptlese, Nahe- Schlossbckelheimer Kupfergrube
From one of my favorite German producers, this wine delivered big time. While the nose was a bit reticent, showing glimpses of peaches and minerals, it packed a most delicious punch on the palate. Intense stone fruits, guava and wet stones from a frigid mountain stream. Perfectly balanced with crisp acidity and medium sweetness. Hold off on to this one. Its a keeper! Solid A-.
1985 Latour Pomerol- Pomerol
Earthy nose with light caramel and red cherry aromas. Soft with fully resolved tannins. Its a bit weak in the mouth feel and concentration department and dominated by earthy flavors, fading red cherry, light cedar and a touch of dried up cigar. Past peak, but still interesting and not bad with food. B/B-.
1986 Lynch-Bages- Pauillac
Nose dominated by earthy/mushroomy aromas with that typical Lynch Bages stink and some dark cherry. With air it grew a bit more intriguing with chocolate and black licorice aromas surfacing. On the palate it shows a little flat and a little soft in the acidity department. Tannins are surprisingly soft for an 86. Quite earthy with cherry and tobacco flavors being the most pronounced. Finishes a little dry. Not bad, but I was expecting more from it. Low B+.
1989 La Dominique- St. Emilion
Wow! A much more enjoyable nose than when I had it last, about two years ago. Then I found the nose to be quite herbal, but today its showing off lots of fragrant and rich black and red fruit, chocolate, light herb and tertiary aromas. On the palate lush, open and friendly with like flavors with the addition of spicy cedar, though its also starting to develop more mature earth and tobacco notes. Everythings well-integrated and balanced. Delicious stuff thats approaching peak or just there. A big change in the last two years. A/A-.
1990 La Dominique- St. Emilion
This wine changed dramatically with air time. Initially there was too much alcohol on the nose and lots of heat on the palate. However, things calmed down revealing a delicious wine that was quite different from its 89 brother. The 90 is a much sterner, darker and backward wine at this stage. There are some big tannins that need more taming and the fruit is darker and more roasted than in the 89. Theres also some nice chocolate and anise notes on the nose and palate, though it takes on a bitter cocoa edge in the mouth. A work in progress with good things to come. Solid A-.
1990 Canon- St. Emilion
Gorgeous nose of rich black and red fruit, light cinnamon and cedar with a dash of chocolate. The wine shows great focus and sophistication on the palate. Theres terrific fruit here with developing earth notes and herb, cedar and tobacco framing things nicely. Well integrated, but still firmly tannic and in need of further cellaring. A/A-.
1986 Hautes-Bages-Libral- Pauillac
Nose dominated by earth and mushroom aromas with underlying cherry, chocolate and cedar. Coarse and chunky on the palate in a nice rustic way. Similar flavors as on the nose with high acid levels and slightly drying tannins on the finish. At peak. Solid and interesting wine thats better washing down a mouthful of lamb chops than on its own. B+/B.
1993 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse-de-Lalande- Pauillac
Lots of herbal aromas on the nose with some red fruit and mineral. Light weight and astringent on the palate. Herbs really dominate here. Way too much for my tastes. What red cherry is present shows a greenness to it. Not all that pleasant and I wouldnt expect it to get any better. The tough vintage shows here. B/B-.
1994 Loville-Poyferr- St. Julien
Chocolate and oak dominate the nose with a bit of black cherry and earth aromas. Similar flavors on the palate with the oak sticking out a bit more than Id like. Firm, woody and lightly astringent tannins with a touch of bitterness on the finish. Still, theres some good fruit here and overall the wine is enjoyable. B+/B.
1989 Smith-Haut-Lafitte- Pessac-Lognan
A much better showing than when I tried it two years ago. Lots of sweet black fruit, anise and chocolate on the nose. Low-acid and open on the plate with softened tannins. Sweet black fruit abounds as does mineral, anise and herbs. Delicious to drink now, though the tannins sneak up a little on the finish. A-.
1988 La Mission-Haut-Brion- Pessac-Lognan
Great graves nose of rich, black gravelly earth, tar and green tobacco. Nice black fruit on the palate with lots of tobacco, rich earth, herbs and tar. This bottle shows softer tannins than the previous two Ive tried. Finish is a tad green and a little short and the wine does lack some of the richness of vintages just before and following it, but its a solid wine from one of my favorite estates. A-/B+.
1979 Palmer- Margaux
Delightful nose, elegant and sweet and filled with sweet red cherry, earth, leather and cedar. Not as nice on the palate, but it still holds ones interest and is quite good with food due to the very high acid levels. Light cherry, earth and cedar flavors. Tannins have faded and the wine is a bit short on the finish. Past peak and heading further south, but still providing pleasure, though more in an olfactory sense. B.
1990 Gruaud Larose- St. Julien
I must confess to never really liking this wine all that much. Ive always found it way too herbal, a bit stinky and too rough. Tonight was no exception. Nose was a bit tight, but swirling brought out lots of herb, stinky earth, tar and black fruit aromas. Still firmly tannic with herb flavors dominating way too much on the palate. Not my style at all. Third time tasted with consistent notes. B/B-.
1975 Trotanoy- Pomerol
I was able to get a tiny mouthful of this gem as someone brought about of a bottle that had been opened earlier in the day. This wine was much more advanced on the palate than the last time I had it when it came from magnum. Shows an elegant intellectual side with red fruitcake, leather, cedar and earth flavors and aromas. Still holding together though starting to fade a bit. A little drying on the finish. A nice treat that should be consumed sooner rather than later. A-.
1982 Gruaud Larose- St. Julien
In contrast to the 90, this has always been my favorite Gruaud. Rich, brooding nose of tar, black fruit, light barnyard, earth and herbs. Intense on the palate with great length and stuffing. Well balanced with still bold tannins. Tar, earth and tobacco dominate with black fruit and herb currently in the background. Nice stuff thats probably at peak, but has lots of years ahead of it at peak before starting the long slide down. Solid A-.
1990 Prieur-Lichine- Margaux
Sweet ripe, lightly jammy fruit, cedary oak and chocolate aromas. Ripe and nicely concentrated on the palate with similar flavors as aromas. Nice harmony and integration. Light herb notes appear on the finish as do still firm, though softening tannins. Not the most complex wine, but very tasty and enjoyable and this stage. A-.
1975 Haut-Batailley- Pauillac
Muted nose shows earth, fading red cherries and citrus. Horrid on the palate. Screaming acidity and dry, astringent tannins. The wine has met its maker. D+.
1990 Meyney- St. Estphe
A little touch of a pleasant stink on the nose with herbs, anise, black fruit and earth. Similar on the palate to the 90 Gruaud Larose but a little smoother and less herbal. Nice cherry, light tar and earth flavors. This bottle is showing a bit more youth than previous bottles. Still plenty of time ahead of it. A-/B+.
1978 Domaine de Chevalier- Blanc- Pessac-Lognan
I think my friend .sasha peed in the bottle and added oak. Awful stuff. D+.
1971 Climens- Sauternes, Barsac
Wow! I generally dont love Sauternes, but this wine was terrific! Deep gold in color with a rich, complex nose of hazelnuts, honey, grilled pineapple and candied orange peel. Stunning on the palate and still showing a bit of youth. Everything is integrated and just singing right now with surprisingly zingy acidity providing a nice supporting frame. Similar flavors as aromas with the addition of fresh tea leaves. Long, honeyed pineapple finish. Delicious! Solid A.
1991 The Royal Tokaji Wine Co.- Tokaji Asz, 5 Puttyonos, Betsek
Shows a lot older than it is as it presumably was made before the Tokaji revival that is currently underway and began with the '92-'93 vintages. Amber colored with lightly oxidized notes on the nose along with nuts, apricot and raisins. Similar flavors with nice sweetness and balanced by acidity. So long as something is sweet and balanced, Ill like it. B+.
1989 Cantemerle- Haut-Mdoc
Effusive, rich and ripe nose that gushes red and black fruit, light oak, espresso and meat. Fairly plush on the palate with like flavors as aromas with the meat being a little bit more pronounced. Lacks a little punch in the mid-palate, but altogether a lovely, fairly soft and open drink now. A-/B+.
1996 Pavie-Macquin- St. Emilion
Loads of coffee and oak on the nose that suppresses the fruit a bit. Alcohol is too apparent on the nose, as well. Shows a bit too much wood on the palate. Espresso and cherry flavors dominate. Tannins are a little woody and astringent and the wine generally lacks richness and is rather boring. B/B-.