Popped and poured. sensational old Burgundy aromatic start, with lots of mature cherry, well cooked mushrooms and some floral elements. Similar flavors, just lightly less complex on palate vs. nose. Picked up some weight and depth after open an hour+, but then dropped off on palate after open 3 hours.

An absolute treat from a bottle that had most likely not moved since release. Very pale tea-like color, which was incredibly misleading (but color tells you so little for Burg). Elegant forest floor aromas with enticing dried herbs. Earthy and surprisingly robust on palate, this was shockingly great for the vintage at almost 40 years old.

From magnum, popped and poured. Slightly past its peak. Some fruit hints but really mostly earth with spice hints on nose and palate. Peaked shortly after open, then gradually shortened and became less interesting.

Open and given a little air before serving. Started surprisingly musty and just moderately attractive. This took awhile to unfold, but after approx 90 minutes more fresh black fruit emerged with some good gamy notes. More ripe black fruit flavors also emerged with a forward, ripe character and lots of density and spice I'd associate with well prepared Boeuf Bourguignon.

Popped and poured. Lots of power and density but also firm structure that couldn't come from a very ripe vintage. Very good intensity and meaty black fruit with moderate spice. Held firmly and consistently into the late evening, so I'm confident this wine is built to last.

Served blind. I correctly identified the decade, then was told the vintage, then correctly identified the producer (from the 5 or 6 top producers well represented on the wine list).

Popped and poured. Very similar to the Roumier 86 Bonnes Mares with which we started lunch. Lots of aromatic charm and complexity, followed by good flavors that are age appropriate, just less exciting than the nose might have implied. Good density, moderate length and finish.

Very charming and elegant. Much less intense than its counterparts from 1986 and 1988 also opened today. More interesting texturally, with a good combination of energy, handsome sous bois and some lingering red fruit. Impressive for the vintage, certainly this bottle benefited from having most likely remaining unmoved since release.