A perfect bottle opened in memory of a great friend.

Wanaka Wedge House, Queensberry, Central Otago, New Zealand
Tasted Thursday, July 25, 2024 by Marc with 80 views

Introduction

Bottle opened in memory of a great friend who passed away that day. Drunk with a Crispy braised duck leg with dried fruits, partnered with black garlic-mashed potatoes, and steamed Brussels sprouts.

Flight 1 (1 Note)

  • 1989 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 100 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    Drunk on the sad occasion of the passing of my best friend. This wine straddled almost the entire time line of our friendship, and was a wine that we both avidly followed at the start of our wine collecting mania. In its mid youth, the wine was closed, and inexpressive, never reaching the heights of the vintages that immediately surrounded it, but in recent years, this one has develops into grand vin. While the circumstances of the meal (Braised Duck legs - he was an avid hunter) must certainly influence my impression of the one, tonight the 89 was perfect to me. At the age of 35, it has the ethereal and delicate nature of full to late maturity, with a lean-ness of body that focuses the attention of the silky palate. A bouquet of hung meat, ripe blackberry, undergrowth and leather that is absolutely profound, is married to a palate that brings ripeness, structure, and texture of very rare accomplishment. Perfect now, this will endure, but may very well begin its slide from its current plateau. Personally, I would not tempt fate too much longer, unless you are keen to see what happens in 10 or 15 years! Like other great wines, this has a sense of balance and transparency to the soil that is uncommon, and the reason why we age great wine. A fitting tribute to a wonderful friend. He would have loved it, even though the ducks were domestic and not wild…

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