Clearly '80s Burgundy, quite light and elegant but guessed CdB because of the rustic nature. Nice lift and resolved tannins, just enough fruit left to balance out the high acidity.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Pretty much agree with drwine2001's note from 2010. Initially presented as a masculine, large-scaled wine with dense red fruit so guessed '05, but when revealed to be a '95 I guessed de Montille as the maker. There was a short window where some delicate and saline nature emerged but when we revisited it became quite tannic again. 90 pts when it showed the very '95 and Barthod characteristics, 95 pts for the short window when it was singing.
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
My contribution. Opened 48 hours in advance which really made all the difference. Quite thick and syrupy when I poured out an ounce on the first day but transformed into a proper Rayas after two days. Insane nose that was wild and floral with strawberry jam and kirsch, palate was so transparent and silky. Agreed that it was slightly airy at the start but developed more breadth and length with air. Outstanding wine and a reminder that Rayas family wines really need prep (as I learnt from this and the dinner at Brodie's).
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
A stunning nose with a distinctive coffee note that made me guess '90 Jamet but palate was clearly Burgundian with sweeter fruit. Managed to land on Laurent Amoureuses after some hints from the friend who brought this and because of the cloudy colour. Palate was good but a slight letdown from the nose as it was quite structured instead of ethereal, but overall still an excellent wine.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
So silky and velvety so I was guessing M-G but Rousseau made sense. Some got brett on the nose but wasn't distracting to me, perfectly proportioned as usual with Rousseau with good acidity as the backbone. Good wine but not as excited by this as others because the best Rousseaus could be much more expressive.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Wow guesses were all over the place for this (Grange, Ridge, right-bank Bordeaux) and yours truly confidently said '08 Masseto. To be honest I maintain that it was still a good guess because the alcohol was the most noticeable thing about this wine (the 14.5% wasn't as well-managed as the Rayas that came before) along with high quality wood. Needs a lot more time.
Distinct cardboard note that made me think that it was corked but it dissipated with air so probably just not a clean bottle but not corked. Amazingly vibrant and suave though for its age, probably the best texture of night. Would love to try a pristine bottle.
Friend who brought this was worried that this might have been oxidised but thought this was very much alive given its age. Guessed '78 Nebbiolo but was surprised that this was even older. Fantastic palate that surpassed the '64 normale as this didn't have any iron notes, so structured and elegant at the same time with superb drive and tension for its age. Could see why others felt the nose was distracting but felt it was about right for its age.
Friend who opened it gave away the maker but not difficult to land on the vintage as this was a much bigger wine, but the heat was still very well-managed. Similar to my previous impressions in 2023, an outstanding Marsannay that punched well above its weight and with a long way to go.
1985 François Gaunoux Pommard 1er Cru Les Épenots 92 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard 1er Cru
Clearly '80s Burgundy, quite light and elegant but guessed CdB because of the rustic nature. Nice lift and resolved tannins, just enough fruit left to balance out the high acidity.
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1995 Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes 92 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Pretty much agree with drwine2001's note from 2010. Initially presented as a masculine, large-scaled wine with dense red fruit so guessed '05, but when revealed to be a '95 I guessed de Montille as the maker. There was a short window where some delicate and saline nature emerged but when we revisited it became quite tannic again. 90 pts when it showed the very '95 and Barthod characteristics, 95 pts for the short window when it was singing.
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2010 Domaine François Lamarche Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts 84 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Initially quite candied, became woody and tannic with air. Not the type of Burgundy that I would seek out and a poor effort for the plot and vintage.
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1997 Domaine Gramenon Côtes du Rhône Ceps Centenaires La Mémé Flawed
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
My extra. Was really excited to try this alongside the Rayas but unfortunately very corked.
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2012 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 95 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
My contribution. Opened 48 hours in advance which really made all the difference. Quite thick and syrupy when I poured out an ounce on the first day but transformed into a proper Rayas after two days. Insane nose that was wild and floral with strawberry jam and kirsch, palate was so transparent and silky. Agreed that it was slightly airy at the start but developed more breadth and length with air. Outstanding wine and a reminder that Rayas family wines really need prep (as I learnt from this and the dinner at Brodie's).
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1993 Dominique Laurent Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses 94 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
A stunning nose with a distinctive coffee note that made me guess '90 Jamet but palate was clearly Burgundian with sweeter fruit. Managed to land on Laurent Amoureuses after some hints from the friend who brought this and because of the cloudy colour. Palate was good but a slight letdown from the nose as it was quite structured instead of ethereal, but overall still an excellent wine.
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2012 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Clos de la Roche 94 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
So silky and velvety so I was guessing M-G but Rousseau made sense. Some got brett on the nose but wasn't distracting to me, perfectly proportioned as usual with Rousseau with good acidity as the backbone. Good wine but not as excited by this as others because the best Rousseaus could be much more expressive.
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2016 Emmanuel Rouget Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaumonts 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Wow guesses were all over the place for this (Grange, Ridge, right-bank Bordeaux) and yours truly confidently said '08 Masseto. To be honest I maintain that it was still a good guess because the alcohol was the most noticeable thing about this wine (the 14.5% wasn't as well-managed as the Rayas that came before) along with high quality wood. Needs a lot more time.
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1975 Château Trotanoy
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Distinct cardboard note that made me think that it was corked but it dissipated with air so probably just not a clean bottle but not corked. Amazingly vibrant and suave though for its age, probably the best texture of night. Would love to try a pristine bottle.
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1964 Cantina Mascarello Barolo Riserva 95 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Friend who brought this was worried that this might have been oxidised but thought this was very much alive given its age. Guessed '78 Nebbiolo but was surprised that this was even older. Fantastic palate that surpassed the '64 normale as this didn't have any iron notes, so structured and elegant at the same time with superb drive and tension for its age. Could see why others felt the nose was distracting but felt it was about right for its age.
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2003 Domaine Denis Mortet Marsannay Les Longeroies 93 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Marsannay
Friend who opened it gave away the maker but not difficult to land on the vintage as this was a much bigger wine, but the heat was still very well-managed. Similar to my previous impressions in 2023, an outstanding Marsannay that punched well above its weight and with a long way to go.
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1995 Domaine Huet Vouvray Cuvée Constance 92 Points
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
Always enjoyable but agree with previous notes that this was an elegant but not profound vintage for Cuvée Constance.
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