Community Tasting Note

• Triforwine Likes this wine: 96 points

  July 6, 2023 - While we mourned my dad, it was the first time in a long time that we had my sister, brother in law and nieces together. My mom was in the mood to cook, it kept her busy. We decided to honor my dad by drinking some of the amazing wines he had cellared. Prior night we did open a 1978 Chateau Margaux and I didn't take formal notes but will post something. My brother in law chose a couple of verticals as options from wines we have a number of. We chose '85 vs '88 Pichon instead of '82 vs '85 Rauzan. Both '85 and '88 Pichon showed beautifully as they have the last few years. I give the edge slightly to the '88 as did most of us but my sister said she preferred the '85. The characteristics are very similar for both from my most recent notes so I won't elaborate. But, I think the '88 drinks a bit younger and is likely to go a bit longer. It is more concentrated and a bit darker in color. Both are outstanding. At least for me, it was clear that we were drinking two wines that were very similar but just slightly different vintages and for what I've tasted, both pretty representative of the two vintages. 95 for the '85, 96+ for the '88.

  3 people found this helpful 2,052 views

1 Comment

• BellevuePhil commented:

  10/14/23, 5:12 PM - I recently inherited some older 70's and 80's and like most of us I come to this forum to find out how others enjoyed the vintage and I read your note. To me each bottle of wine is a memory that's only cherished for a short period of time like a special date, a fine dinner, or in this case your father.
  
  It warms my heart to hear that you chose to honor his memory by sharing the exquisite Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1988, a vintage that speaks of time, patience, and enduring elegance – qualities that resonate with the essence of a cherished life. In sipping this wine, you not only celebrated his life but also the beautiful moments you shared, the lessons he imparted, and the love that will forever bind you together.
  
  I don't you know, or your late father, but I have written a note on my bottle and decided to place it back in the cellar for a more memorable occasion than a night in front of the fire.
  
  Cheers.

Add a Comment