Dinner last week

2011 Château La Louvière

DEC 17 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, citrus, minerals, vanilla and light smoky note nose. Fresh acidity, playful, citrus, grapefruits, minerals, long finish. 90

2011 Château Gruaud Larose

DEC 17 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, anise, some vanilla and spices, light violets note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, quite intense if tight at this stage, long. 94

1996 Château Simard

DEC 17 Garnet with brick rim. Figs, dates, minerals, light chocolate note nose, some floral high notes. Fresh acidity, ripe and few tannins, soft, gentle texture, some sweet and sour, elegant texture, iron, good length. 89

1990 Château Dalem

DEC 17 Ruby core, brick rim. Minerals, iron, figs, blueberries still, detailed nose, floral high note, violets. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant texture getting polished, minerals backbone, figs and dates, long. 92

1985 Château Margaux

DEC 17 Mid neck fill, fairly soaked cork. Ruby, garnet rim.  Shy first, just some tobacco, earthy notes and tobacco. After about half an hour in decanter, violets shows up, then it blossoms, figs, dates, light mineral note, detailed if never the most intense bottle. Fresh acidity, smooth tannins, velvety texture, superb balance, again this floral high note, not as fruity but highly elegant, long. 95

1998 Château Suduiraut

DEC 17 Golden. Apricots, pineapples, some light caramel notes, fruity driven nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, pineapples, some spices, apricots, touch of sultanas and raisins, light caramel note, elegant texture, smooth and long. 93