Beyond a Birthday dinner!

The Papies, Elizabeth St, London
Tasted Saturday, December 8, 2012 by Papies with 489 views

Introduction

A good excuse needed to get good friends together and share some nice wine bottles and good food. The fact that we had a birthday in the house.. an added bonus!

All wines were served blind and reds decanted for 2 hours. Served in a Riedel Vinium Bordeaux and Zaalto Universal glasses, the latter being the most beautiful wine glass int he world!

Flight 1 - To Start (1 Note)

Tuscan sweet olives and Truffle Salami
Fois Gras poele on a bed of potato/sweet potato mash

1990 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon

France, Champagne

This was not up to the level of other bottles we had and hence it lacked the vitality usually exhibited by this amazing wine. Very rich and full if nose and flavor still, mineral and this as we said before is more of a Burgundy wine than a champagne. Shame it was not at par as the last bottle we had ( we rated that 96 a year ago.) Will reserve judgement for the next time.

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Flight 2 - To get in our stride (1 Note)

Lightly fried Quail Eggs with fresh white truffle

2008 Sine Qua Non The Pontiff 93 Points

USA, California, Central Coast

Very different this time than 2 months ago when we had it last. This time it was bigger , sweeter and with less of that lovely balanced smoky feel we loved (rated 96 in October 2012).
Colour points to burgundy but that is as close as it comes. Still an interesting experience, full on strawberry notes, oak notes and sings out of the glass. Quite a bit of alcohol on the nose too and as time wet by it became more dominating. On the palate it is big, with a sweet core, 15,7% alcohol, density of fruit from start to finish. Quite a bit of heat on the finish. Very SQN. 93 this time

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Flight 3 - The Main (2 Notes)

Slow roasted leg of Lamb with pommes boulangere (Heston Blumenthal style)

1985 Château Léoville Las Cases 97 Points

France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

Another masterful performance by this amazing wine. And for lovers of well aged classic bordeaux like us this is probably as good as it gets.
Decanted for 2 hours and definitely helped develop the wine. The colour shows its age but u forget that the minute you smell it. The nose is as classic as it gets, herby, leather, earthy/mushroom notes and cigar box. On the palate it is well aged with good balance of fruit and secondary notes. Full of life and with silky tannin. We could go on for a long time here. Simply wonderful. 96-98

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1990 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 96 Points

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Decanted for 2 hours, definitely needs some decanting.
A touch cloudy in colour, but still on the dark side in colour. The nose sings. Open and long full of fruit, elegant and never let go. On the palate the same tune continues, well structured wine, silky tannins but full of life, complex and with lots of depth. This is the 5th time we have tried this wine and although a couple of times we had bottle quality issues every time we have a singing bottle we end up with the same conclusion. MUST BUY MORE! 96+

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Flight 4 - The Cheese (1 Note)

1997 Alvaro Palacios Priorat L'Ermita 93 Points

Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

Decanted and served, not sure if it adds much at this stage.
The noise points to super Tuscan, Bolgheri style wine. Fruit density, extract and lots of new oak still very present. Light floral elements. Feels very young and hopefully as it ages it will assimilate the oak. On the palate it is fresh and full, with lots of fruit, good extraction and has the stuffing to help it age for a long time. A touch of dryness on the finish from oak but other than that very good show. We could lose a lot of money betting this is a Bolgheri wine :). 92-93 for now, but we would suggest one waits a few more years.

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Flight 5 - Gildine's Caneles (1 Note)

1990 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Herrenweg de Turckheim Vendange Tardive 93 Points

France, Alsace

Good colour, shows its age. On the nose the riesling aromatics are there from the start. Petrolly notes, some botrytis, apricots. Lovely nose. On the palate it has quite a bit of presence, with good acidity that gives a nice balance to the sweet core of the wine. Lots of fruit on the palate, supple with density and depth. Proper wine. Will easily age and improve for another 10yrs minimum. Still, a joy to have now. 93.

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