CNY dinner at home

Tasted Wednesday, February 18, 2015 by pavel_p with 310 views

Introduction

A very nice evening at home with friends over and the not exactly typical Fondue Bourguignonne for CNY. The food and the 2001 Haut Bailly which is now in stunning shape were the culinary highlights here.

Flight 1 (4 Notes)

  • NV Moët & Chandon Champagne Brut Réserve Impériale 90 Points

    France, Champagne

    Did not show very well upon opening and reminded me very much of the regular NV Brut Imperial with little body to speak of and a slight bitterness which makes only the bubbles stand out. Improved however significantly with only about 10 min of air and showed much better balance with a fine slightly sweet body and a touch of nuts. Perhaps the learning here is to give NV Champagne also a bit of air before drinking.

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  • 2001 Château Haut-Bailly 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Decanted about 1h and this was showing exceptionally well and much improved from my last bottle 4 years ago. Have rarely felt having caught a wine at it's absolute peak as was the case here. Forest floor and dark berries on the nose, beautiful juicy fruit with great delineation on the attack, then tobacco and leather which carries into a medium finish. Towards the end of the bottle the tannins became a little more pronounced, so would probably only decant 45 min next time or drink relatively quickly once opened, which is not a problem really... Drink now if you have them

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  • 1997 Tardieu-Laurent Côte-Rôtie 90 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Poured into decanter and drank over about 90 min. Very unusual profile with strong smell of pickled capers on the nose, followed by an equally strong impression of capers and green olives on the palate. At the same time there is good concentration of fruit with a medium to full body. Not a bad wine but a rather acquired taste.

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  • 1999 Tardieu-Laurent Côte-Rôtie 87 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Poured into decanter and drank over about 90min just like the 1997 it followed. This was very disappointing and a very unbalanced wine, with the little and diluted fruit in combination with an exceptionally high acidity. Not sure if decanting would have helped, it certainly was not necessary for the 1997. Having now tried the 97, 98 and 99 Tardieu Cote Rotie, I see no reason of trying this producer again given that say a Rostaing Cote Blond is a far better wine at only a slightly higher price point. 86-87

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