A decadent evening

Sydney, Australia
Tasted Thursday, December 7, 2006 by CamWheeler with 997 views

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

  • 1992 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon Rosé 92 Points

    France, Champagne

    Was pale pink salmon in colour with a nose that gives off complex aromas of mushroom, earth, game and fresh strawberry and cherry. Had an elegant, delicate palate with a touch of fruit sweetness broadening out the mouthfeel and leading into a lingering finish. This was a most promising start to proceedings.

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  • 1980 Krug Champagne Clos du Mesnil 99 Points

    France, Champagne

    A brilliant sun gold in colour. Deep and rich notes of apricot, floral scents, mango, marzipan and a touch of almond draw you into the aged yet still fresh nose. If the nose somehow did not do it, then the very first taste leaves no doubt that this is something special. The palate exhibits flawless balance, striking purity and depth of flavour. Beautiful focus and carry into a wondrously long, clean, breathtaking finish. A truly exceptional, wonderful experience that has left an indelible impression on me.

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Flight 2 (2 Notes)

  • 1967 Château d'Yquem 97 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    A deep caramel colour. A bursting nose that really grabs hold of you with its intensity and layers of aroma - caramel, molasses, marmalade, cedar, marzipan, acetone and roasted nuts. The power and depth of the unctuous palate is truly astounding, with waves and waves of complex flavours. Nigh on perfect balance with a clean, lingering finish that left me looking forward to each and every sip. Superb.

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  • 1975 Château d'Yquem 100 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    Glowing amber-gold colour. Initially the nose is subdued and then suddenly it begins to unfold and reveal the most captivating, amazing aromas of apple, pear, musky perfume, peach, apricot, honey, pineapple, citrus peel and rose petals - it seemed as though every with every sniff another entrancing layer of aroma was revealed. I take a sip and I'm glad that I'm sitting down as I am almost overwhelmed by its brilliance. The palate is scintillating - for a wine to display such power and elegance simultaneously seems almost impossible. Utterly flawless balance. Twinkles across the palate into an endless finish.

    Completely memorising and moving. Three weeks after tasting it, I am still rendered speechless and almost breathless every time I think about it. Perfect.

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Flight 3 (3 Notes)

  • 1988 Domaine Ramonet Bâtard-Montrachet 88 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru

    A slightly lighter colour than the 1998. Opens with a nose of intense sesame prawn toast and rubber. With time, the rubber dissipated somewhat although the sesame remained along with gunflint, smoke and grapefruit. A toasty palate with good structure initially thanks to a strong core of acid that carries a bit too strongly into the slightly short finish.

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  • 1998 Domaine Ramonet Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet 90 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru

    The nose is cheesy and reminiscent of lightly buttered toast, there were also some pear, lemon and apple undertones coming through. Very delicately flavoured on the palate with the high acid providing backbone. Needs to be given some time to develop the depth that is lacking at the moment.

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  • 2002 Bouchard Père et Fils Corton-Charlemagne Domaine 93 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

    A delightfully restrained but layered nose of lemon, sea spray, oyster shells, grapefruit and nougat. Outstanding concentration of flavour, with the power focused into a tightly coiled, acid driven, balanced line across the palate and into an excellent length finish. I loved it and I think it is sure to get better with time.

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Flight 4 (3 Notes)

  • 1985 Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Chaignots Flawed

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru

    Corked

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  • 1985 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche 91 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, La Tâche Grand Cru

    A deeply perfumed, musky aroma of violets and roses that became even more pronounced while being left to sit in the glass, as well as fallen leaves (that enjoyable scent of autumn decay), earth, mushroom and subtle spice. The palate is long and delicate, lacking only enough fruit to entirely balance the acid profile.

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  • 1988 Domaine Jean Grivot Richebourg 92 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Richebourg Grand Cru

    Strong aromas of freshly ground coffee beans with some rhubarb, delicate spices and underlying sweet red fruits - after 20 minutes some complex earth and smoked meat aromas emerge. A long, balanced palate with a lovely, defining texture to it. There is tannin present, contributing to the structure but not getting in the way of balance or the focus across the line of the wine. Very good, although near to its peak and lacking the complexity to be brilliant.

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Flight 5 (2 Notes)

  • 1975 Château Lafite Rothschild 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Dominant cedar on the nose with some background aromas of coffee, blackberry and cinnamon. Well balanced on the softly elegant palate, including the tannins which serve to enhance the structure and mouthfeel. Lacks complexity and depth, but enjoyable to drink none the less.

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  • 1975 Château Cheval Blanc 86 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    The nose is comprised of black cherry kirsch, cedar, earth and olive tapenade. The palate is austere, dominated by oak and tannins and there is no depth of fruit or flavour. This bottle has crossed its zenith and was headed downward.

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Flight 6 (3 Notes)

  • 1981 Château Margaux 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    A swirling, perfumed, floral nose of cedar, tobacco, cherry, plums and raspberry. The medium-bodied palate is highly skilled in the art of seduction and all the components seem well integrated and balanced. With good length and nice depth, this is extremely enjoyable drinking at the peak of this wines life.

    There may be some hope for me in my search for great wines from 1981 yet!

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  • 1982 Château Cos d'Estournel 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    Nose of dense, wet earth as well as spice, tobacco and undertones of complex dried meats. An intense and youthful palate with fine tannins standing out currently. The length of the palate is excellent as well as having impressive structural quality. The slightly aggressive palate means that this isn't drinking as well now as the Margaux right now but its superior structure will allow it to develop layers of complexity and to be better with 5-8 years of additional age, if this bottle is anything to go by.

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  • 1985 Château Léoville Las Cases 86 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    Graphite and cedar lead the nose but some rather green capsicum and stalky characters are hard to get past. The palate is soft and simple, lacking depth and interest. Prominent acid on the back palate leaves the finish short and ultimately unsatisfying. Much better bottles have been had by others attending the dinner in the past.

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Flight 7 (3 Notes)

  • 1987 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Mouline 84 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Intense smoky meat on the nose along with freshly brewed coffee and pepper. On the palate the fruit has faded and it is drying out . This bottle was looking quite tired and certainly tasting as though it had seen much better days.

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  • 1994 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Mouline 96 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Incredible, intense floral and violet aromatics are the centrepiece of a brilliant, layered nose that also shows five spice, white pepper, cherry and bacon fat. Completely seductive and elegant on the palate - lush and velvet-textured with incredible depth and complexity of flavour, while maintaining excellent structure, balance and stunning length. Brilliant, glorious and certainly my favourite red wine tonight.

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  • 1992 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon 88 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    Some confronting aromas of dried and smoked meat, leather, barnyard, mushrooms and bramble. Savoury and softly bodied with alright balance and length, but seems to lack depth and much of interest on the palate. I didn't find the bretty aromas on the nose especially offensive, but if such things are not to your liking then I don't think this would be the wine for you.

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Flight 8 (1 Note)

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