My 40th dinner celebrations

A long planned dinner, the wines having been collected over the las 7+ years. Not a big affair, nor a 'fancy' wine night. Just good friends and good wine, how it should be.

A missing 2004 Grand Cru - drank before dinner.

• 1990 Pol Roger Champagne Vintage Brut 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  Much better than feared. This has really got better with time and put up a good fight against the Krug. Deep golden colour, mousse was medium. Some yeast notes still and buttery.

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

• 1988 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut 93 Points

  France, Champagne

  Still quite light in colour and very bright. Mousse was also fine. Nose still young but seemed to have lost its wow factor.

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

A good start - both stood up and the Gruaud was a candidate for WOTN in my opinion

• 1990 Petaluma Cabernet Merlot Coonawarra 91 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra

  The ringer in the party but stood its ground well. Obviously not a Bordeaux but was really pleased with it. Dense colour and still quite concentrated and blackcurrant and cassis coming through. Lasted well and bodes well for the other 90's wines I bought at the same time.

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

• 1990 Château Gruaud Larose 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  One of the stars of the night. Some earthy notes on the nose and a balanced, developed and intriguing palate. Good finish and one I kept coming back to.

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

I'm off to buy Figeac. Lovely and aged so well. Will leave Mouton alone I think.

• 1970 Château Figeac 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Feared this would be over the hill but was still drinking wonderfully. Medium to light palate, slightly sweet. Was mellow and balanced.

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

• 1990 Château Figeac 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Very similar in style to the 1970. More body and sweet tobacco and some fruit left. Very good finish.

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

• 1970 Château Mouton Rothschild 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  The 'star' of the night but little memory of it. Dried fruit, leather still with structure. Had stood up to the test of time well but had lost anything special it might have had.

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

• 1990 Château Mouton Rothschild 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  A 1990 1st Growth - well I'm glad I didn't pay current first growth prices for this. A good decent, lovely wine but no wow. Medium body, good structure but just nothing special.

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

Memories starting to fade but was surprised the LB's were more masculine than the Barons.

• 1988 Château Lynch-Bages 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Refined. Both Lynch Bages were more muscular than I anticipated. As before, 88's showed well against the 90's. Some stink on opening but went.

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

• 1990 Château Lynch-Bages 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  More depth and punch than the 1988. Nose also stank a little, also coffee notes. Palate was deep and intense. Decent finish.

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

• 1988 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Softer than expected, some floral notes on the nose.

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

• 1990 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Am sure I got lavender on this one! Still had a good deal of fruit and body.

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

Oh, how I wish I had more of this.

• 1990 Château Suduiraut 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Wow, exactly what I was hoping for! Unctuous. Apricot, orange. Complex and long.

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

A little lost at the end of the night - the competition is not normally this tough.

• 1970 Dow Porto Vintage 93 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  A little lost at the end but was drinking beautifully. Mellowed since last; still lovely balance.

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

The limited notes got washed and not much effort went into remembering the wines so not great notes but a record of the evening. Loved the Figeac, Mouton disappointed again and I shall keep on buying Sauternes even if I stop everything else I think.

Thanks to everyone who made the evening what it was.