Saturday Dinner.
Tasted Sunday, October 10, 2010 by BradE with 1,027 views
Introduction
We had scheduled a larger line up for tonight, but after three long days wisely decided to scale it back a bit.
Flight 1 (11 Notes)
Closing
Over the last three days we had approximately 50 bottles of wine. Amazingly, not a single bottle was corked, oxidized, or had any material bottle deterioration.
1979 Krug Champagne Clos du Mesnil
France, Champagne
This bottle was a touch more advanced than is typical and showed both its usual intensity and a maturing side that was interesting. Great way to start off the dinner.
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1980 Krug Champagne Clos du Mesnil
France, Champagne
If you read Champagne Warrior, Brad Baker's note for the 80 is spot on. For a Clos du Mesnil, this just doesn't stand out. Its really good champagne, but doesn't support its price point. Well, and being flighted with the 79 is a tough position.
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2000 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Montrachet Grand Cru
Our next flight was a real treat - 2000 and 2002 DRC Montrachet. A couple of the guys had drunk the 00 last year, and talked it up as possibly being the best young white burg tasted. They were right. Both were outstanding, but the 00 is in a class by itself. Rich, expressive, charming. When you think about how young this is, and how long it will hold up, it blows your mind. The 02 was more tightly wound, with intense minerality. It gained traction over a few hours, but the 02 is not a wine to be opened early, whereas the 00 can be enjoyed thoroughly today (seriously). A wine drinkers dream flight.
Both bottles were decanted about two hours ahead of dinner, and poured early to get more air time in the glass.
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2002 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Montrachet Grand Cru
Our next flight was a real treat - 2000 and 2002 DRC Montrachet. A couple of the guys had drunk the 00 last year, and talked it up as possibly being the best young white burg tasted. They were right. Both were outstanding, but the 00 is in a class by itself. Rich, expressive, charming. When you think about how young this is, and how long it will hold up, it blows your mind. The 02 was more tightly wound, with intense minerality. It gained traction over a few hours, but the 02 is not a wine to be opened early, whereas the 00 can be enjoyed thoroughly today (seriously). A wine drinkers dream flight.
Both bottles were decanted about two hours ahead of dinner, and poured early to get more air time in the glass.
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1985 Maison Leroy Musigny
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Musigny Grand Cru
Next up an interesting comparison of 85 and 90 Leroy Musigny. Both were still too young (hard to believe). With the 85, I don't think more time will be as helpful as with the 90. Its a big wine, with a reticence that may not resolve itself. The 90 was more expressive, but not overwhelming as the vintage can sometimes be. Thick, massive, still a wine to wait on (which I don't say often for a twenty year old wine), and one which I suspect will be materially better in time.
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1990 Domaine Leroy Musigny
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Musigny Grand Cru
Next up an interesting comparison of 85 and 90 Leroy Musigny. Both were still too young (hard to believe). With the 85, I don't think more time will be as helpful as with the 90. Its a big wine, with a reticence that may not resolve itself. The 90 was more expressive, but not overwhelming as the vintage can sometimes be. Thick, massive, still a wine to wait on (which I don't say often for a twenty year old wine), and one which I suspect will be materially better in time.
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1985 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Musigny Cuvée Vieilles Vignes
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Musigny Grand Cru
Drunk next to the 85 and 90 Leroy. Like the 85 Leroy, this wine seemed to have all the material at hand, but just wouldn't give it up in as pleasurable a way as would be expected. This entire flight was perplexing to me - others will have to chime in with their thoughts.
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1988 Krug Champagne Clos du Mesnil
France, Champagne
I'd been looking forward to the 88, and it did not disappoint. The combination of sheer intensity along with its approachability is stunning. A nose to die for, and simply extraordinary champagne. And the best value for money of all the Krug CdM's IMHO.
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1982 Krug Champagne Clos du Mesnil
France, Champagne
I was so enamored with the 88 next to it, that my memory is virtually blank. Anyone?
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1985 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Mouline
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
We had planned on finishing up with most of the 80's Moulines, but at the end of three long days/nights, we wisely decided to shrink it down to 85 and 88. The 85 is frequently a mind blowing wine, which tonight limited itself to being great. A perfect bottle quality wise. Showed all of Mouline typicity, but interestingly was somewhat less flamboyant than it typically shows.
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1988 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Mouline
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Like the 85, the 88 showed very well, and also like the 85 showed younger than previous bottles. We had an interesting discussion during the weekend as to whether the 80's Moulines are at their peak (generally my point of view). Tonights two samples did not back up my point of view, as these were among the more youthful bottles I've ever had.
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