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Some aged wines
Tasted June 14, 2023 by melvinyeowq with 126 views
Introduction
Organised a dinner to share some older wines from the three main red regions in France with a group that was relatively new to wines. All showed very well even though I realised older wines are truly an acquired taste. Opened two extra younger bottles and think most preferred those. Personally, I loved the depth and restraint that the older wines had on both the nose and the palate from a bygone era.
Flight 1 - The main reds (6 notes)
Red
2005 Domaine Bruno Clair Marsannay les Grasses Têtes
90 points
A lovely nose from the get-go that a few fell in love with, was telling them this is what Burgundies do to people! Palate didn’t quite live up to the nose as it was a little thin, but it did gain weight with air. First bottle I had a couple months ago was slightly better than this.
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Red
1993 Domaine Pavelot (Jean-Marc et Hugues) Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru La Dominode
92 points
Took time to get going as it was rather tight at first, which for a 30 year old wine is quite a statement. Deep red fruit on both the nose and the palate, even though the latter was a little simple. A staunchly old-school and resolved (but in no danger of falling off) Burgundy with plenty of character. Reinforces the now commonly held view that ‘93 was a superb vintage.
Red
1996 Domaine de Rochepertuis Cornas
90 points
Similar to previous impressions of this wine. Cloudy in appearance, but palate still had plenty of fruit. Again this proved to be surprisingly popular with people who were relatively newer to wine, possibly because its old-school, not completely clean character made it so distinct compared to the others.
Red
1983 E. Guigal Hermitage
93 points
Another older wine with a deep, brooding nose. Some liquorice, rustic bacon notes that screamed northern Rhone. Superb freshness for its age and I thought this was a wine that really showed its pedigree in terms of depth. First time trying an 80s Guigal and definitely much prefer their classic, restrained style during this era.
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Red
2002 Château Haut-Bailly
92 points
The crowd favourite. Oak protruded a little to begin with, but became more balanced with air. A little too polished but very pleasurable in a generous and hedonistic way which was surprising for the cooler vintage. Drinking at peak now.
Red
1985 Château Meyney
93 points
Had the old-school Cordier funk that I adore. Drinking fabulously for an unheralded (although personally I hold it in high esteem) wine of this age. Loved the classicism of this, plenty of character and complexity that only years in the bottle can bring.
Flight 2 - The others (4 notes)
White - Sparkling
2021 Villa Sandi Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze Vigna La Rivetta
87 points
Rich and sweet with tropical fruit. Liked it a lot more when I tried this a few years ago when I hadn't gotten into champagnes, now it seems a little heavy to me.
Red
2010 Clos du Jaugueyron Haut-Médoc
91 points
Most managed to guess Bordeaux because of the classic left-bank tobacco, savoury and slight pyrazine notes. Still youthful with the fruit not fully expressive yet. Should have kept this for longer.
Red
2008 Elio Sandri Barolo Riserva
93 points
Most managed to guess Italian for this based on the tannins. Similar impressions to my previous note but this was drinking even more youthfully than my last bottle. Elegant texture with supple tannins.
White - Sweet/Dessert
2009 Château Climens
92 points
Better acidity than my last bottle with a much better balance here. Paired well with a sweet and slightly spicy dish.
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