Some good wines
Tasted Friday, February 28, 2025 by melvinyeowq with 238 views
Introduction
Was supposed to do a HB and LMHB night which we unfortunately had to reschedule. What transpired in its place of an open theme of good wines turned out to be not too bad! The top 3 was clear in my mind, the glorious '85 Margaux, '95 PLL and '04 Lachaux. Thought the '03 Montrose was atypical, but very good too.
2004 Pascal Lachaux Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses 94 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Too much distracting oak at first, but elegant so my first instinct was a Claude Dugat from the '00s. Became more integrated and balanced with air, as the vanilla bites gave way to a floral, slightly smoky nose. Palate had sweet, seductive dark red fruit so I guessed '02 and agreed with a friend who said this was Amoureuses. Only quibble was that the '04 shrillness became more apparent after a couple of hours. These old Lachaux wines have been consistently superb from my experiences
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1989 Château L'Evangile 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Brought for a friend. Much more open than a bottle a couple of years back, this was good to go on pop and pour. Superb floral nose, palate was so incredibly lush and youthful that some guessed Napa from '00s. Some plummy fruit developed with air. Not the most complex but a hedonistic and pleasurable wine.
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1995 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
My contribution. Took time to unfurl after being popped and poured; slightly astringent at first but got plummy with air. Interestingly most guessed this to be a right-bank, which was understandable since this was the last vintage of PLL with a high Merlot content. At the end of the night after three hours this came into perfect balance that was similar to my previous bottle - luscious, silky dark red fruit that was so pure and velvety. A dreamy Bordeaux that was right in my wheelhouse, My second favourite of the night.
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1982 Château Léoville Las Cases 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien
Similar to previous impressions, this hasn't budged since 2021. I thought this was a 1990 because of the ripe, succulent fruit, I didn't get to Las Cases but on reveal it made sense. Masculine tannins with a slight green streak, a brooding and austere wine that might never be pleasurable.
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2003 Château Montrose 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe
Not much experience with '03 Bordeaux but this was very interesting. Guesses for this were all over the place ranging from supertuscan (me) to new-world. Very slick with slightly syrupy blue fruit, definitely on the modern end of the spectrum but acceptable to me, When revealed to be '03 Bordeaux thought it was a Montrose given all the good things I've read about this wine. Hot vintage stripped the wine of nuances but this was still enjoyable to me even if it was rather atypical.
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1985 Château Margaux 96 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Wow this was everything I wanted from a Bordeaux. Seductive, plush dark red fruit that was so youthful that I thought this was from '00. Seamless and velvety, it got more imperious with air as the old-school Bordeaux cigar notes became more obvious. Classic and refined, this was a wine that drew me in and made me smitten by the end of the night. Absolutely glorious showing, this was the unanimous WOTN and my wine of the year thus far.
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1998 Château Margaux 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Generous extra from a friend. Clearly from a strong vintage but I thought '98 right bank at first. When revealed to be a left bank, I thought this was a Latour since it was very tannic and unyielding on pop and pour. Became more similar to the '85 with time as the Margaux seductiveness came through, but the tannins here were not as refined.
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2002 Saltram Cabernet Sauvignon Winemaker's Selection 89 Points
Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
My extra after buying this as a cheap punt. Guesses from the table ranged from modern Bordeaux right bank, US, and Oz. Sweet, ripe nose that was appealing without being jammy, but felt the palate was too ripe and alcoholic. Some cassis and plummy notes, and the usual Oz Cab notes of eucalyptus and menthol that I am not a big fan of.
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