Dinner with friend January 2016

2009 Arlaud Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Aux Combottes
Bright ruby. Red berries, spices, some darker fruit notes beneath, some spices and vanilla notes in the back. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, somewhat staccato, not fully integrated with the oak, red berries, seems to start to get together if not fuly there, long. 90

2008 Hudelot-Noellat Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Murgers
Bright ruby. Red berries, touch of sous bois, starting to mature, elegant nose, scented, raspberries and a touch darker fruits notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, playful, some mint and red berries, fresh and playful with touch of sweet prunes and again sous bois. Real charmer. 93

1992 Château Montrose
Ruby, thin brick rim. Mint, maturing nose, figs, leather, tobacco, some cassis still. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner palate, some red berries, cherries, leather, anise, touch of cassis and blueberries. Bit lean and skinny but has some (fainting) beauty still. 89

2011 Penfolds Grange
Opaque. Rich nose, intense, layered, needs hours to open and even after almost seven hours in the glass (after decanting), it still builds. It still ads. Anise, pepper, dark fruits, some red fruits comes and goes, touch of mint and eucalyptus, some vanilla, some spices, some blackberries. Even some floral notes shows up every now and then. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, fruity, sweet dark fruits, layered, detailed, nuanced, but nothing is up front. Everything is hidden, compact and tight, yet it reveals layers upon layers. Long. Very long indeed. Save it for twenty years, will last fifty years more, or longer. 96

2004 Château Climens
Golden. Apricots, quite ripe, fruity, some grilled pineapples and cinnamon, slight vanilla note. Fresh acidity, vanilla, fruity, rounded, creamy, quite lively before a slight bitter note in the finish, long. 94

3 excellent Sauternes

2011 Château Climens
Pale golden. Apples, pineapples, apricots and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, lively, creamy texture, elegant and refreshing, detailed, lovely balance, very long. 95

2005 Château Climens
Golden. Apricots, pineapples, vanilla, botrytis and rich nose. Fresh acidity, lively, fuller bodied, rich, luscious, intense but a bot hollow finish. 93

2001 Château Guiraud
Golden with amber tints. Caramel, nuts, apricots, orange marmalade nose, intense and deeper. Fresh acidity, lively, fresh, rich and detailed, bit burnt caramel, intense, goes on and on, very long. 95

05 Climens and 01 Suduiraut

2005 Château Climens:

(Demi) Second bottle in as many days. Quite more evolved feel than the bottle yesterday, more honey and a caramel touch. Fresh acidoty, lively palate and a younger expression on the palate. Elegant, creamy and long. 93+

2001 Château Suduiraut:

Golden. Tropical fruits, pineapples, pure, elegant and nuanced nose. Layered, apricots, not as intense as Yquem, but gorgeous complexity. Fresh acidity, playful and refined, finesse, nuances and refinement all the way, incredible length. 98

05 Climens

2005 Château Climens:

Golden. Honey, apricots, fruity and vanilla nose, very elegant. Fresh acidity, lively, fruity, very elegant texture, long finish, almost creamy touch. 95