An Offline for Luke

28-50, London
Tasted Tuesday, May 8, 2012 by SimonG with 542 views

Introduction

A few of us gathered to wish Luke well following his departure from The Ledbury and to thank him for his patience and good-humoured professionalism in the face of a multitude of WIMPS, offlines and private dinners...

Flight 1 (1 Note)

  • 1946 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu 75 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

    Deep, slightly dull gold. Very full, pungent nose. Oaty, appley. Quite spritzy on the attack, an astringency too. Grabs one by the throat. Lots of freshly cut green apple, and a slightly cider vinegar note too, through the middle and finish. Not much weight/development/complexity through the middle. Searing acidity. Hmm 50 years too late or just not my thing? * for historical interest.

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Flight 2 (4 Notes)

Flight 3 (3 Notes)

  • 2000 Felton Road Pinot Noir Block 3 91 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago

    Nicely maturing, mellow nose. A touch of sweet fruit with some caramel and sous bois. Cherry fruit poking through. Wet hedgerow too. Proper! Lovely attack, a little light on the finish cf the attack but this is very nice indeed. Sweet-fruited and overall a very nice style. ****

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  • 1996 Domaine G. Roumier / Christophe Roumier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras 92 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru

    Possibly a little reduced initially with a slightly rubbery nose, but this soon blows off. Nicely mineral, quite grippy, but there's a lacy elegance through the mid-palate to the finish. An edginess/nervosity here. Lovely but a little shy at this stage. ***(*) This has tightened up since last tasting in 09 and is showing far more class.

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  • 1973 Berberana Rioja Reserva 91 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

    Slightly caramel, orange peel and a little volatile initially. Proper old Rioja. Sweet fruit, long and lovely, but I do like this style of wine. ****

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Flight 4 (4 Notes)

  • 1999 Vérité La Muse 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Quite a plush, full nose. Ripe and rounded. Can't quite place it but a fairly complex and nuanced nose. Really lightens up with an hour or so of air to show really well and with plenty more in reserve. ***(*)

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  • 1998 Mount Mary Quintet 92 Points

    Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley

    Quite a redcurranty nose. Surprisingly bright red-fruited on the attack and across the mid-palate. Sweet redcurrant jelly through the finish. Surprising and really quite engaging. Pretty. Long, fresh and elegant. A different style to the Verité but just as engaging ****

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  • 1986 Mount Mary Cabernets 88 Points

    Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley

    Blackcurrant leaf nose. Cool and leafy. Slightly dusty even. Similar on palate. Cool, fresh, leafy blackcurrant, interesting and refreshing but no real depth or complexity. ***

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  • 1990 Henschke Shiraz Hill of Grace 89 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley

    Wow, a very distinctive, slightly cool, minty mouthwash nose. Interesting, cool and quite complex but I keep coming back to the mintiness. Minty fresh attack with a nicely mellow dark red-fruited background but I can't get past the eucalyptus/mint thing. I wonder if this would I've been better in a different shaped glass? (ie not burg). *** but more if this is your thing

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Flight 5 (1 Note)

  • 1989 Château d'Yquem 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    Fairly deep burnished old gold. Deep, quite dense barley sugar nose. Obviously sweet and ripe. Lots upfront but it lacks development and persistence through the mid-palate and finish. A bit too ripe really - needs some acidity to hold its line - doesn't liv up to its initial promise. ***1/2

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