Keith's 1950/52 Offline

An interesting selection of pensioners, some remarkably spritely and youthful, others clearly in need of a zimmer accompanied by some excellent food. I thought the lamb with padron peppers was inspired for older, leaner claret, and was also taken by the bean, almond, peach and foie gras salad that received rave reviews from the last WIMPS. An excellent evening, so thanks to all involved.

• 1952 Château Coutet Barsac

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

  Deep bright gold. Vibrant in the glass. A sense of freshness on the nose with decent barley sugar comng through. Wow, very smooth and with surprising sweetness. Still a lip-smacking quality here. Not hugely complex but rounded and very harmonious. Nose opening up a bit to show orange blosom and it's getting richer on the palate too. Lovely. To be critical it lacks some complexity on the backmof the mid-palate, but... ****1/2

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1950 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Blanco

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  Deep dark old gold to Amber colour, significantly darker than the 52 Coutet. Trad oxidative style. A slightly curious, slightly
  lactic, almond milk and wet cardboard nose. Far richer and fuller on the palate. Quite hard to describe. Reasonably complex Once you get past the ox style. Starting to get a little richer on the nose. Interesting, but I prefer them a little fresher. ***1/2

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1952 Francesco Rinaldi e Figli Barolo

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Slightly grubby pale to medium pink. Pretty grim, lifted nose rich in pear drops. Prett VA ridden. A sense of sweetness and a touch of sweat coming through. Really not great.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1950 Berberana Rioja Gran Reserva

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  Slightly fading mid garnet. Old Rioja nose, a touch musty, classic orange peel. Fresh attack, nice acidity, balanced with mature fruit. Something a touch savoury too. Fresh with decent finish. A touch fresher than previous bottle in September. Top ****

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

A 50 Carruades was declared d.o.a. and not poured.

• 1950 Château Latour Grand Vin

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Fullish, slightly cloudy garnet. Slightly musty old wine nose. A bit better on palate, on the downslope but drinkable, esp with the padron peppers and lamb. Bare *

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1950 Château Pavie

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Incredible colour, very deep almost purpley red. Is this real? unbelievably young looking for a 50. Similar on palate, still fleshy and vibrant. Good fruit if a little coarse. More dry than rounded on the finish. **

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1952 Château Latour Grand Vin

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Again full, quite dense mid ruby colour. Lovely nose, just he right mix of freshness, fruit and inerest. A touch of green pepper, mineral and graphite. This is a very decent drink. The fruit's still there but obviously drying on the finish. For me the interest is on the nose and mid-palate. ***

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1952 Château Cheval Blanc

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Incredibly dense, deep, dark red. A bit mushroomy on the nose. A bit chewy and, infact, not particularly pleasant. Disjointed and unbalanced. Too late. No.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1950 Domaine Piétri-Géraud Banyuls

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Banyuls

  Nose is a bit clipped/closed and a touch volatile/lifted compared to previous bottles. Quite chocolatey and a touch more spirity/bitter on the finish than previously. Pretty decent though and a bit of a youngster. ****

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1952 Seppeltsfield Vintage Port

  Australia, South Eastern

  Deep ruby. More purpley than the 50 Banyuls. Quite spirity on the nose. More together on the palate though the spirit quite evident and becoming more so with air. Good chewy finish. Quite dark fruit, a touch of licorice. Not sure it's particularly balanced but it's certainly interesting. ***

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Stand out for me was the 52 Coutet, with honourable mentions for the Banyuls, Rioja, 'Port' and 52 Latour.