Mannie Berk and Ricardo Diogo impromtu dinner - 1945 Clos des Lambrays and other oldies

Ripple Restaurant in DC
Tasted Tuesday, October 13, 2015 by dcwino with 642 views

Introduction

Mannie Berk and Vinhos Barbeito's owner and winemaker Ricardo Diogo were in town. They organized a Medeira dinner at the Jefferson Hotel the night before which sounded like a big success. Darryl organized an impromptu dinner and kindly invited me. As usual, Ripple did an excellent job hosting us.

Flight 1 - Champagne (2 Notes)

Unfortunately I thought both bottles were not perfect.

  • 1989 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut Collection Flawed

    France, Champagne

    The last bottle drank in May showed absolutely no sign of oxidation. This seems more advanced. Medium expressive nose displaying tart tatin, dry orange peel, a hint of oxidative note via coffee, anise and mineral. Medium concentration, ripe slightly dry yellow fruits, good acidity and finish clips due to the oxidative note. Still enjoyable but will not rate due to not being correct.

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

  • 1990 Philipponnat Champagne Brut Clos des Goisses Flawed

    France, Champagne

    A bit of controversy as two diners and Danny, the wine director, think the wine is corked. I can see why as the nose displays strong oxidized apple peel which is very similar to TCA. I also found this character in some of the 90 Dom. The palate though not fresh is correct. According to Mannie, disgorged in 2001. Rather subdued nose displaying apple sauce, oxidize apple peel, grand marnier, smoke and candied sugar. Slightly tired palate, very shy mousse which is surprising, bright acidity and medium long finish. I don’t think this is a correct showing. Still enjoyable.

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

Flight 2 - Dauvissat (1 Note)

Flight 3 - Clos des Lambrays, 1945 that is (1 Note)

It was an incredible experience.

  • 1945 Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays 97 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru

    Definitely a real deal. Youthful but extremely ripe expression, decadent slightly dry black fruit, a hint of port as well as VA, mint, black truffle, leather, dark spices and strong earthy note. Unbelievable concentration, quite chewy after all these years, sweet black fruit driven palate impression, good acidity and lovely long finish. The only drawback is that the overall expression is not terribly complex for a grand cru. Nevertheless this is incredibly youthful, concentrated and decadent. A privilege to drink this monumental wine. Emotionally 100 pts for sure.

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

Flight 4 - Really Mature Bordeaux (3 Notes)

  • 1961 Château Calon-Ségur Flawed

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    DOA, Such a shame!

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

  • 1953 Château Latour Grand Vin 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Decanted upon arrival. First impression worries me as the nose is dominate by VA. With air, very tertiary nose displaying a hint of cassis, dry red fruits, cedar, caramel that one gets from old Bordeaux and only a hint of VA. Very good concentration, complete integrated palate, shy red fruit driven palate impression, good acidity, no noticeable tannins and good length with cedary finish. Certainly not a block buster but still quite enjoyable. I would love to try in magnum format.

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

  • 1955 Château Margaux 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    Very pretty and, delicate nose displaying sweet cherry and strawberry fruits, a hint of cedar, flowers and leather. Very harmonious palate, lovely mouthfeel, delicate red fruit driven palate impression, good energy, no noticeable tannins and lovely long clean finish. Really pretty old lady.

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

Flight 5 - Madeira (2 Notes)

I really liked the 1811 but some thought it may be a fake.

  • 1811 Unknown Madeira Malvasia 96 Points

    Portugal, Madeira

    Some thinks it is a younger wine with perhaps caramel added. Expressive and extremely sweet nose displaying medium caramel, chocolate, fig, cough syrup, Asian medicine, licorice, plum and mint, Incredibly rich and concentrated palate, very dense and chewy, fig and medium caramel driven palate impression, mouth puckering acidity and lovely long finish. I am not sure if this is real but it is unbelieverably good. I would love to partner with the blender.

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

  • 1901 D'Oliveiras Madeira Malvazia 93 Points

    Portugal, Madeira

    Quite precise nose. Plum wine, roasted chestnut, caramel, a hint of VA. Good concentration, clean sweet red fruit driven palate impression, good precision, bright acidity and lovely clean long finish.

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

Closing

It was a fun evening with a lot of wonderful old wines.

×
×