TN: cellar activity (Nov 14, 2015)

[Jeff Grossman]

I took no notes so this post will evolve as folks check-in to correct me:

Gouges 1997 Nuits-St-Georges "Les Vaucrains" - lightweight, minerally, very pleasant though not showing the typical black cherry flavor profile
Ch. Magdelaine 1990 St-Emilion - also very good
Kunstler 1992 Hochheimer Reichestal Riesling Auslese Trocken - 12.5% ("They don't make 'em like that no more" -Salil), tactile, velvety, dry but not bony, addictively good
Fritz Haag 1990 Brauneberger Juffur Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese - opens up with time in the decanter, also lovely
Bisson 2011 Vermentino "Vignaerta" - the shrill acidity is down to a dull roar, developing some waxy or lanolin notes, if I had any more I would hold
Lopez de Heredia 1990 Vina Gravonia Blanco - unctuous, very full, too oxy for me

There were two cheeses (Landaff, Sophia), crackers and baguette, a mixed sushi tray and a jar of salmon rillettes, prosciutto and another salami, toasted hazelnuts

Jay, Salil, Lambda, Mu, Jeff

 

[Salil Benegal]

I recall the Magdelaine was a 1990, and the 1990 Riesling was a Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Spatlese.

I think the Gouges might have been the Vaucrains, but I'll let Jay confirm that.

 

[Jay Miller]

1997 Gouges NSG Vaucrain
Lovely nose, long and tart on palate, explodes on finish with cranberry and underbrush. As much as I like this at first it continues to open and develop over the next few hours becoming friendlier and lusher. I am very happy with this purchase.

1990 Chateau Magdelaine
Another from the summertime winebid lots. Shows young with some nice ripe fruit on first pouring but rather reticent. 1 and half hours in the decanter later it's delicious, very open showing attractive notes of lavender and underbrush. Love this too.

1992 Kunstler Hochheimer Reichestal Auslese Trocken
No need to be scared off by the words Auslese Trocken here, at 12% it displays a deep rich honeyed complexity that is beguiling. Yet another winner.

1990 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffur Sonnenuhr Spatlese - unlike the Kunstler this really needed an hour or so to show what it has but then it pulled ahead to display a delightful crystalline complexity that put it in contention for WOTD

1999 Lopez de Heredia Gravonia - I had never been a huge Gravonia fan, finding the white Reserva a huge step up. But this is very good indeed, definitely the best Gravonia I remember drinking.

 

[MLipton]

originally posted by Jay Miller:
1997 Gouges NSG Vaucrain
Lovely nose, long and tart on palate, explodes on finish with cranberry and underbrush. As much as I like this at first it continues to open and develop over the next few hours becoming friendlier and lusher. I am very happy with this purchase.

Well, you know that's because '97 was such an *epic* year in the Cote d'Or. So much better than that '96 you foolishly opened a while back... [insert emoticon of choice here]

Mark Lipton

 

[Jay Miller]

originally posted by MLipton:

originally posted by Jay Miller:
1997 Gouges NSG Vaucrain
Lovely nose, long and tart on palate, explodes on finish with cranberry and underbrush. As much as I like this at first it continues to open and develop over the next few hours becoming friendlier and lusher. I am very happy with this purchase.

Well, you know that's because '97 was such an *epic* year in the Cote d'Or. So much better than that '96 you foolishly opened a while back... [insert emoticon of choice here]

Mark Lipton

Gouges is one of the few producers who did great work in 1997 (Jadot is another). 1997 is one of the very few Gouges vintages that is ready to drink (1985 and 2000 are others).

But I'm sure you weren't attempting a vintage generalization.

WERE YOU?

 

[Odd Rydland]

originally posted by Jay Miller:

originally posted by MLipton:

originally posted by Jay Miller:
1997 Gouges NSG Vaucrain
Lovely nose, long and tart on palate, explodes on finish with cranberry and underbrush. As much as I like this at first it continues to open and develop over the next few hours becoming friendlier and lusher. I am very happy with this purchase.

Well, you know that's because '97 was such an *epic* year in the Cote d'Or. So much better than that '96 you foolishly opened a while back... [insert emoticon of choice here]

Mark Lipton

Gouges is one of the few producers who did great work in 1997 (Jadot is another). 1997 is one of the very few Gouges vintages that is ready to drink (1985 and 2000 are others).

But I'm sure you weren't attempting a vintage generalization.

WERE YOU?

I've had Gouges 92s that were ready to drink, and quite some time ago as well. ;-)

 

[Jay Miller]

originally posted by Odd Rydland:

originally posted by Jay Miller:

originally posted by MLipton:

originally posted by Jay Miller:
1997 Gouges NSG Vaucrain
Lovely nose, long and tart on palate, explodes on finish with cranberry and underbrush. As much as I like this at first it continues to open and develop over the next few hours becoming friendlier and lusher. I am very happy with this purchase.

Well, you know that's because '97 was such an *epic* year in the Cote d'Or. So much better than that '96 you foolishly opened a while back... [insert emoticon of choice here]

Mark Lipton

Gouges is one of the few producers who did great work in 1997 (Jadot is another). 1997 is one of the very few Gouges vintages that is ready to drink (1985 and 2000 are others).

But I'm sure you weren't attempting a vintage generalization.

WERE YOU?

I've had Gouges 92s that were ready to drink, and quite some time ago as well. ;-)

I've also had 1985 and 2000 that I enjoyed. And that 1997 Vaucrains was great 10 years ago as well (Manuel can vouch for that).

 

[VLM]

Had a 2001 LSG with Eric when he was in town that I thought was excellent. An interesting comment from him that I'll keep in mind was that the tannins were Barolo-like. I thought it was a pretty good description of what the wine was like. It was early window for me, Jay, you will need to wait another 10 years or so.