Party at Jay's.

A fun day out in Jersey City at Jay's place with the Coads, Andrew and Jennifer and Sharon. Only took a few notes on some of the standout wines.

• 1989 Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon

  Beautiful nose. Nice and funky, showing meatiness, sweet black cherry, herb and cedar. It's a little leaner on the palate than the fruit on the nose would suggest with a similar flavor profile, but with more of an herbal component. Precise and crunchy. Quite nice, though I prefer the '90 version with its riper fruit and slightly lower acid levels. A-/B+.

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

• 1971 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru

  This one we had at Jay's place with the '24 Huet and this bottle isn't showing as well as usual. It was a little less sweet than most other bottles and is showing its age more. There's some burnt sugar, apricot, mineral and pineapple with a touch of bitterness on the finish. Solid B+.

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

• 1924 Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Le Haut-Lieu

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

  From a topped off, re-corked bottle. Finally got to try this bottling thanks to Jay Miller who opened it at a fete at his place. I was a little worried at first as it initially showed a bit of petillance. Unfortunately, a number of older bottlings that have been topped off and put up for sale since the sale of the domaine 7-8 years ago have shown some petillance and secondary fermentation. Luckily, it blew off and the wine came together beautifully with air. It's a deep gold color with bergamot, shoe polish, mineral and a little more quince than apricot aromas. On the palate it definitely is mature, but there's still a nice bounce to its step. Sweet, but in the typical old Chenin sense and of course nicely balanced. Earl grey tea dominates with orange marmalade and a hint of quince. I hope I'm in this good of shape at 85! A-.

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

• 1989 Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux 1ère Trie Clos du Bourg

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

  Stunning wine. Plenty to enjoy here, though it's apparent that this wine is an infant and has decades of development ahead. There's apricot, bergamot, botrytis/hay and honey notes. It's quite sweet, but that '89 acidic backbone more than compensates. There's just such great depth, complexity and length here. I just picked a bunch of these up and it's going to be a real pleasure to see how they develop over the years. Just a joyous wine. Low A+.

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