Impromptu gathering
Washington DC
Tasted Saturday, June 21, 2014 by dcwino with 661 views
Introduction
We had a quick gathering at A’s house. All the wines, except the 45 Leoville Las Cases, were generously provided by the host.
Washington DC
Tasted Saturday, June 21, 2014 by dcwino with 661 views
We had a quick gathering at A’s house. All the wines, except the 45 Leoville Las Cases, were generously provided by the host.
1945 Château Léoville Las Cases 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Top shoulder fill and still sound cork. Upon opening noticeable VA from the bottle. With a bit of air, bright red fruits, a hint of cherry preserve, light caramel, slightly hint of balsamico and leather. Fully integrated harmonious palate, exceptional concentration, sweet and sour fruit driven palate impression , bright acidity due to VA and fully integrated tannins. Noticeable VA which is not so unusual considering how old the wine is. If you enjoy old clarets, this will be a good wine to seek at auction.
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1988 Gentaz-Dervieux Côte-Rôtie Cuvée Réservée Côte Brune 96 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Expressive red fruit driven nose, red cherry, kirschwasser, a hint of green olives, smoke meat and garrigue. Very polished burgundian palate with bright acidity and nicely integrated tannins. It may be blasphemy for some, but this reminds me the 92 and 94 Raymond Trollat St. Joseph. I also find some similarity with the 04 Rostaing Cote Blonde. Exceptional nose and polished palate. Not sure whether it deserves the lofty price.
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1989 Château Haut-Brion 100 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Epitome of balance and harmony. Polished and expressive nose of red fruits, plum, a hint of cassis, flower, tobacco, mineral and strong presence of graphite. Polished silky palate, intensely sweet fruit driven palate impression, noticeable but nicely integrated tannins and incredibly long seamless finish. This is as polished and sophisticated as a Bordeaux can get. Still quite youthful yet so polished and intensely sweet. Simply perfect!
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1994 Harlan Estate 99 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
I drank a lot of these upon release at various DC and Baltimore restaurants for around $150 as the secondary market quickly shot up. Intense crème de cassis driven nose, crushed blackberries, a hint of licorice, sweet spices and mineral. Incredible concentration, still unctuous yet perfectly polished, intense crème de cassis driven palate impression, nicely integrated tannins and impressive length. This is still incredibly youthful but perfectly hedonistic.
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2007 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 97 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
I usually find intense sweet yet cool blue fruits in Schraders but not here. Intense jammy red fruit driven nose and incredible amount of sweet spices. Incredible concentration that masks the tannins completely. For me, it is so intense that it is slightly overwhelming. Impressive scale, it definitely merits 100 but for my palate at this stage, it is not as enjoyable as the 89 Haut Brion and the 94 Harlan.
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1985 Maison Leroy Chambertin Flawed
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin Grand Cru
Unfortunately slightly off.
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