Dinner with friends June 2018

1999 Bollinger La Grande Année

Straw yellow. Apples, brioche, some butterscotch, yeast and toast nose. Fresh acidity, minerals, brioche, long if a bit narrow mid palate and finish. Long. 93

1986 Dom Ruinart

Golden. Brioche, apples, some citrus, fruity, elegant nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe, elegant mousse, some candied fruits, apples, pears, lemons, oxidised lemons, long. Creamy. 94

2014 Philippe Chavy Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, citrus, intense, minerals, some candied fruits, layered and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, lemons, some spices, minerals, detailed and intense, long. 3 hours in decanter and still more to go.superb balance and concentration yet again. 96

1995 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne

Towards lemon yellow. Apples, candied lemons, minerals, elegant, nuanced, detailed, light spicy and floral note nose. Fresh acidity, apples, minerals, some chalk, spices, nuanced, oysters, long. 96

2008 Roumier Corton-Charlemagne

Towards lemon yellow. Apples, some honey, fruity, citrus, hazelnuts, pears, minerals nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, citrus, some honey and nuts, a bit fatter, rich, long. 96

2010 Domaine de Chevalier blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, some lemons, butter, pears, chalky, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, minerals, apples, some pears, focused, detailed, nuanced, beautiful length, some wood but it will integrate nicely, long. 96

1975 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

In neck fill. Ruby, garnet rim. Figs, leather, cedar, dates, nuanced, detailed, scented, superb nose, highly seductive. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, leather, spices, figs, dates, nuanced, playful, superb balance, utterly seductive, long. 96

1976 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Ruby, garnet rim. Fairly dried nose, some minerals, figs and dates nose. Fresh acidity, ripe and few tannins, figs, dates, minerals, terracotta, very mature. 87

1983 Château Lafite Rothschild

Ruby, garnet rim. Anise, cassis, some spices, blackberries, figs, dates, some coffee notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, dark berries, anise, liquorice, bit of alcohol warmth, long. 95

1984 Château Haut-Brion

Ruby, broad garnet rim. Figs, dates, minerals, leather, tobacco, mint nose, cigars. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, figs, dates, spices, leaner, elegant texture but lacks a bit of body to fill in, long. 91

1989 La Ripja Alta Gran Reserva 904

Ruby, brick rim. Herbs, anise, a few figs, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, lacks fruit and body, a far cry from last bottle. 86

2010 Contino Gran Reserva

Magnum. Ruby. Anise, blueberries, raspberries some floral notes, scented, mint and eucalyptus. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, dark fruits, red berries, mint and eucalyptus, long. Bit narrow. With air it opens up, needs fifteen years plus. 93

1991 Lindemanns Coonawarra Pyrus

Ruby, garnet rim. Anise, blueberries, figs, mint, elegant nose, dates, lovely. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, fruity, dark berries, figs, anise, mint, juicy, mouthwatering, long. 93

2004 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, green apples, minerals, apple peel, schists, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, apples, some lemons, minerals, detailed, nuanced, playful, lovely balance, long. 93