La Commanderie de Bordeaux - Boston Annual Gala

Lovely, festive evening as a guest of AM. Started with hors d'oeuvres and Billecart-Salmon Rose (no formal note - one of our go-to Roses so nothing notable to add here!). Besides, I'm very excited to drink these wonderful Bordeaux wines!

Served with braised monkfish, mushrooms, lentils and sautéed rocket. Very nice pairing for the wines.

• 1995 Réserve de la Comtesse 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Double decanted, remaining in open bottles for approximately four hours. Nice ruby color, not breaking down yet. Quaffable - straightforward and simple. Fine accompaniment to this monkfish dish. No reason to wait - drink up

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• 1995 Château Phélan Ségur 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

  Double decanted, remaining in open bottles for approximately four hours. Opaque ruby color, not breaking down yet. Nice nose of cedar and earth. Plenty of structure remaining, and the fruit is just barely starting to fade. Really enjoyed this, both on its own and accompanying this monkfish dish. No reason to wait - drink up

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Two world class wines served blind, paired with rack of lamb.

• 2004 Château La Mission Haut-Brion 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  Served blind. It had been decanted for approximately five hours. Deep violet color. Amazing nose of black fruit, tar and cigar. Very fine grippy tannins but in a wonderfully structured way. Had alongside 2004 HB (which I always had pegged for merlot). Given the contrast, I was always guessing Cab-driven here (wrong! 55% Merlot). This was very enjoyable but its ceiling is much higher in another 10 yrs, could be 95-96pt wine. Buy! And hold!

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• 2004 Château Haut-Brion 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  Served blind. It had been decanted for approximately five hours. Gorgeous, pure violet color. Lovely aroma of lilac and stewed prunes. Great full, rich, round mouth feel - so soft and plush that I was always guessing merlot-driven (60% here!). Long finish. This is just starting to reach the sweet spot. You should have no reservations popping one now, especially if you have the luxury of owning many! Certainly fine to wait another 5-10 yrs.

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With cheese.

• 1986 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 83 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  My bad luck with this vigneron continues. This had been decanted for approximately five-plus hours. Deep violet color, but even after double decanting this still threw a ton of sediment. Very barnyard nose (and obviously if you're into that, it gets you excited!). This was served at ten distinct tables out of differing bottles, and eight or nine of them believed it was flawed (the tenth said it was singing beautifully). Many believed this to be corked but I really am not so sure. It just showed very poorly in my view. If you own this, I suppose you either sell for full current market price if you can get it, or heed the suggested CT drinking window and cross your fingers that this will be much more than disappointing in 2020-2025.

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• 1986 Château Gruaud Larose 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  This had been decanted for approximately five-plus hours. Deep violet color. Amazing nose of black fruit and leather. This was simply awesome. Great, full rich fruit. Structure. Acidity. Balance. Charm. Long finish. I have always loved GL and this showed impeccably well. Might have to go buy some of this! Literally in the sweet spot right now, drink with great pleasure over the next five to ten years.

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With Grand Marnier ice cream (which was exquisite!)

• 1983 Château Rieussec 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Not sure when this was opened, but it was served from 750ml. Lovely nose and palate of caramel, creme brulee, lychee and honey. This is very enjoyable. Fully mature and indeed, most assume it is very likely to begin to fade. Drink up but I don't fear there is any grave urgency to do so.

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Very grateful to participate in a wonderful evening of great food and wine. Merci beaucoup, Commanderie!