Duos, Trios and Quartets Among Friends

A fascinating tasting casting a wide net from Champagne to Burgundy to the right bank and left bank of Bordeaux, on to Australia and finishing in California. Considering the age of the wines, we had a phenomenal hit rate with just the 1946 Conseillante (fake) and 1961 Leroy Musigny (over the hill) disappointments. Food and company were exquisite!

• 1990 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon Oenothèque 96 Points

  France, Champagne

  A phenomenal kick-off to an epic tasting

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• 1975 Bollinger Champagne R.D. Extra Brut 97 Points

  France, Champagne

  Mature. Lots of acidity and tertiary flavors. Huge nose. Absolutely delicious

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• 1975 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon 94 Points

  France, Champagne

  Less of a nose than the 1975 Bollinger RD tasted alongside. Caramel flavors. Less complex on the finish. Still a delicious champagne, though.

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• 1928 Chevillot Tâche-Romanée Grand Cru 96 Points

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

  La Tache from the owners prior to DRC. Still very alive. This had lots of smoke with a long finish. Lovely strawberry flavors. Very interesting.

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• 1961 Maison Leroy Musigny Flawed

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Musigny Grand Cru

  Over the hill but still drinkable

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• 1947 Pierre Ponnelle Musigny 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Musigny Grand Cru

  A bit disjointed at first but then came together. Beautiful nose. A bit of a sour note on the finish. Still very alive

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• 1949 Château Ausone 99 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Spectacular! Very dark. Great fruit, with chocolate, mushrooms and earth. Excellent acidity and structure left. One of the WOTNs for me (among very stiff competition)

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• 1949 Château Cheval Blanc 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Lots of mint and menthol. Feels nearly over the hill but just holding it together.

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• 1947 Château La Fleur-Pétrus 96 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Meaty and gamey with lots of sausage. Very lively fruit. Great complexity. Really enjoyable.

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• 1924 Château La Conseillante 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Still very alive. Initially had a strong acetone smell but that blew off with some time in the glass and the wine opened up nicely. A lighter and elegant style with beautiful nuance.

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• 1959 Château Lafite Rothschild 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  One of an incredible flight of 1959s. Every wine was spectacular. At first this felt a bit mature but then it livened up. Eucalyptus and dark berries. Light on its feet. Very elegant.

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• 1959 Château Latour Grand Vin 98 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  A massive wine. Incredible fruit and complexity. Awesome structure with a long complex finish. This has everything in perfect harmony.

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• 1959 Château Haut-Brion 97 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  Very classic. Smokey with lots of lively dark berries. Fresh fruit and layers and layers of complexity. So delicious!

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• 1959 Château Margaux 99 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Ties for WOTN among stiff competition. Wow wine! A laser beam of red berry fruit jumps out of the glass. This is wonderfully silky and brims with lively energy.

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• 1976 Penfolds Grange 93 Points

  Australia, South Australia

  The first switch to new world wines of the evening. This still has lots of wonderful fruit left. It lacks some of the complexity, though. Very enjoyable nonetheless

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• 1971 Penfolds Grange 97 Points

  Australia, South Australia

  Gorgeous! Much more complex than the 1976. Perfectly balanced. Subtle but still intense. This is so well integrated. A real joy to drink.

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• 1974 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Mountain 93 Points

  USA, California

  Big wine but this still feels closed. This arguably still needs more time! Tannic and structured but with a core of vibrant fruit.

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• 1970 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Mountain 96 Points

  USA, California

  Awesome! Very nicely balanced and integrated. Much more accessible than the 1974. Everything melds together seamlessly in this wine. The fresh red fruit is so alive and delicious.

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The fact that the 1900 Sandeman Port was not what is was meant to be and was put aside was a blessing in disguise after that much wine!