IWFSC 736th Dinner

The last dinner of the season was, as usual, held at the Racquet club. Dickon L. and Paul A. both finished their terms as governors and John R. and myself were elected to replace them (cool!). Paul remained an executive when he took over as kitchener. Phil S. brought Anwar A. as a guest.

Overall the dinner was fun as usual - good table this time with Stephen K. Dr. Tom, and Dr. Dan. The food was pretty forgettable though a couple of the sauces were nice. The wines were mixed with several of them showing very nicely.

We started the evening with the tried and true cellar-aged NV Bollinger. Lovely as usual.

There was nothing souffle like about the green glop in the middle of that undercooked onion...

• 1996 Michel Colin-Deléger et Fils Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

  Deep copper color. Caramel notes on the nose along with yellow fruits. Nice tree fruits on the palate but also showing signs of maturity with a caramel butterscotch note. I wouldn't say out and out premox, but for sure drink up.

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

The two little oysters were nice.

• 1997 Louis Jadot Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Ursules Domaine des Héritiers Louis Jadot 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru

  Full red/pink color. A bit of a musty note on the nose at first that thankfully blew off, revealing briar and black cherry notes. Nice full red and black cherry on the palate with good structure remaining. Surprisingly good for the vintage. Probably at the front end of it's optimal drinking window now.

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

• 1978 Château La Mission Haut-Brion 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  This was an interesting wine as it started out just screaming green (stems, peppers) along with black olive hints on the nose. After some time in the glass (surprising again because the wine had been double decanted a couple hours earlier) the nose rounded out and showed more classic signs of iron and iodine along with black fruit. On the palate, it also opened up and revealed good dustry black fruit with plenty of structure remaing. Definitely in the window, but probably no rush. 93-94 pts.

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

• 1978 Domaine de Chevalier 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  At first blush I actually enjoyed this more than the La Mish, though with some time both started to show their true character and pedigree. This started out lush and open with a full deep red color and a lovely lithe nose of black fruit and floral lilacs, with just a hint of graves iron. On the palate, it was a nice round black fruit - nice and juicy. However, after about a hour in the glass, it started seeming a bit monolithic and simple as the LM gained body and complexity. 92-93 pts.

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

• 1990 E. Guigal Hermitage 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Well, what a difference a bottle makes. From the same purchase and same cellar as the bottle from 4 months ago, this didn't show anywhere near as well - lacking all the classic Hermitage character of smokey bacon and black pepper that the previous bottle(s) had. This was full deep red in color with big bright briar red fruit on the nose. Nice round red fruit with just a hint of sweet left on the palate along with decent structure and acidity. Actually a very nice wine itself, it just wasn't the pleasant surprise the past bottles have been. Maybe it was a root day!

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

• 1977 Graham Porto Vintage 93 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Another nice showing for this. Typical Graham sweet character in a mature port that is balanced and well put together.

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