Chris's 1978 Bordeaux Dinner

La Trompette
Tasted Wednesday, May 15, 2019 by NickA with 225 views

Introduction

First growths and friends donated to raise money for The Bone Cancer Research Trust

Flight 1 (1 Note)

Parmesan Beignet

  • 1978 Moët & Chandon Champagne 91 Points

    France, Champagne

    Rating and description are a composite of two bottles of this drunk consecutively, the first being slightly richer and more oxidative and the second fresher. Deep amber colour with some mousse, like lager. Rich yeasty nose, long and honey'd, more digestive biscuit on the second with the first reminding me of Balvenie Doublewood.

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

Flight 2 (2 Notes)

Sweetbread, Garlic Leaf Spaetzle, Hazelnut Pesto

  • 1978 Château Cos d'Estournel 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    Still quite dark in colour, and retains good acidity. Flavours have progressed towards Chinese 5-spiced pork, Mediterranean herbs, incense as well as a bit of cherry. Refreshing and interesting.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1978 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    An interesting point in this bottle's evolution. On the one hand, it was very fresh and elegant, on the other there is a hint of mustiness that says 'good you didn't leave me any longer'. Red fruits, roses, tobacco, smoke - very complex.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 3 (2 Notes)

Roast Guinea Hen, Grains, Offal and Turnips

  • 1978 Château Palmer 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    Colour fairly evolved, with some orange creeping in. Opulent nose, with spice - this clearly announces itself as a wine that's going to be fun to smell and drink. Flavours quite primary still - blackcurrant Fruitella, orange peel, a touch of leafiness. Very soft and pretty.

    Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1978 Château Léoville Las Cases 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    Still very dark in colour. Nose slightly closed, with some dark fruit and pine. Tannins perfectly resolved (unsurprisingly) but retains a sense of youth. Long and savoury finish, becoming more sweet with the food. WOTN for many, but not quite for me.

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

Flight 4 (3 Notes)

Cumbrian Veal Breast, Polenta and Morels

  • 1978 Château Cheval Blanc 96 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Still so bright - big and perfectly balanced - sweet but savoury, with herbs. Still some juicy fruit. Very moreish!

    Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1978 Château Ausone 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    A rich red nose, with graphite. Menthol, cherry, honey'd oak. No complaints about the condition of this bottle - very good indeed.

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

  • 1978 Château Pavie 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Required a second bottle after the first was abandoned for tasting of Marmite and not wine. This bottle had an intoxicating nose and was still fresh and retained some chewy tannins. Didn't make a huge impression among exalted company tonight though.

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

Flight 5 (1 Note)

Loquat and Coconut Millefeuille

  • 1978 Château d'Yquem 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    Deep orange colour - Irn Bru?! A lifted and characteristic Sauternes nose that doesn't mark it out particularly, but huge in the mouth, with a charge of marmalade that's so intense it verges on charred lime.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 6 (1 Note)

Cheese

  • 1978 Niepoort Porto Vintage 91 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Orange in colour - not something I've seen in ruby port before. Surprisingly bright in flavour, with some acetone, sweet strawberry candy, rhubarb and custard. Could do with a little more acidity or spice to balance it out.

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

Closing

My WOTN #1 Cheval Blanc, #2 Palmer, #3 Yquem

×
×