Important Update From the Founder
Read message >
Dinner at La Boheme with the Crew
Palo Alto
Tasted April 18, 2023 by Richard P Howden with 108 views
Introduction
It was great to taste this collection of (mostly) wines from 1987-1990. All French, but great variety of flavors, aging, and delight. No off bottles happily, they were all a delight to enjoy with good company over dinner. The Trevallon, though, wow that was a standout!
Flight 1 - Hello, Champagne (1 note)
White - Sparkling
N.V. Dehours Champagne Terre de Meunier Extra Brut
91 points
A real charmer and great value. Crisp lemony white fruit nose and good tart mouth filling. Dry but not sharp for zero dosage. Medium plus length finish. A rebuy for sure. Vendange 2017/2018, bottled 2019, disgorged 8/2021.
Flight 2 - Some beautifully aged French reds (4 notes)
Red
1989 Marc Sorrel Hermitage Le Gréal
93 points
Took a few hours to open. Very pretty nose of strawberries, cherries, olives, mint - the nose is its best feature. Strengthening palate, well balanced, excellent poise good fruit. Not a powerful wine but good depth. I like it, probably much better with a long decant.
Red
1989 Domaine de Trévallon
94 points
Powerful, unique combination of Syrah & Cabernet Sauvignon. Super clean bottle, long and e sharing. Excellent. Showing the complexity of age but not at all ‘aged’ notes.
Red
1990 Château Gruaud Larose
89 points
Fading glory, not one of the better bottles of 1990 GL I’ve had. Still after a couple of hours this showed some youthful red fruited charm and a pretty cassis nose.
Red
1987 Bernard Faurie Hermitage Greffieux Bessard Méal
89 points
Had attractive but delicate aromatics, mostly of red fruit, after the bottle warmed up. The palate had good density and texture but was lacking either the charm or the pow of better aged N. Rhônes I’ve had. Still I enjoyed this a ton with cassoulet as the earthy flavors of the food with mixed with the wine. So wonderful to get to try these older rare wines.
Flight 3 - A little sweetie (1 note)
White - Sweet/Dessert
2001 Château Coutet Barsac
93 points
See Ashish’s note, but perhaps I liked it a bit more. Really gorgeous, I love how sweet the nose is and yet the finish is nicely balanced and not sugary. Delicious.
Closing
The theme was French wine, not Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. Pleasure achieved.