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Half Century Magnum Lunch (La Trompette)
London
Tasted June 18, 2023 by Mbad77 with 124 views
Introduction
I wanted to invite a few wine friends to a lunch and had a number of Magnums which seemed ideal contributions for a fun day.
Flight 1 - Truffled Veal Tartare (1 note)
White - Sparkling
2006 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut
93 points
From Magnum. Initially found it to have a sweet core and a light fresh profile. Some creamy aromatics. Perhaps slightly different and fresher from magnum and still think it will improve for age as it gains depth. Interesting my last note from bottle said it was more of a broad bruiser which will settle. Score remains the same and was eclipsed by the 04 Comtes and Rare 98 mags alongside.
A lovely opener to the day though.
A lovely opener to the day though.
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Flight 2 - Cured Bream, Citrus Crème Fraiche, Kohlrabi, Lime, Cucumber And Iced Horseradish (2 notes)
White - Sparkling
1998 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cuvée Rare
94 points
I have a few of these and most are the last release. This batch are original release with the red band around the neck and hence have a good few years more in bottle.
Deep, rich, smoky, soft, open and delicious as always. A real hedonistic, crowd pleasing fantastic champagne. On next days reflection I feel the later releases might just have that extra freshness and excitement.
Deep, rich, smoky, soft, open and delicious as always. A real hedonistic, crowd pleasing fantastic champagne. On next days reflection I feel the later releases might just have that extra freshness and excitement.
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White - Sparkling
2004 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut
95 points
My sole Magnum of 2004 so a fitting time to open it since I’ve enjoyed nearly every 04 Comtes I’ve had. This followed other good bottles but didn’t really blossom until that last sip. Nose showed that touch of reduction / sulphur and Comtes. Creamy toasted elements
Clean and fresh still. Very enjoyable
Clean and fresh still. Very enjoyable
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Flight 3 - Hand Rolled Pappardelle, Slow Cooked Rabbit, Pancetta, Broad Beans, Girolles And Pecorino (4 notes)
White
2007 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre
96 points
Not having any magnums of this I took two bottles. Alas one was my first faulty Rav.
The second was perfect though and a delight. My wine of the lunch as it took me back to the first Raveneau I had which I loved. There is that sea spray note with cream. It has a ripeness and depth that could be a top sonoma or new world wine but just a touch of Chablis on the finish to remind you where it’s from. This is perfect for me and loved this bottle.
The second was perfect though and a delight. My wine of the lunch as it took me back to the first Raveneau I had which I loved. There is that sea spray note with cream. It has a ripeness and depth that could be a top sonoma or new world wine but just a touch of Chablis on the finish to remind you where it’s from. This is perfect for me and loved this bottle.
White
2019 Alvina Pernot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières
94 points
From Magnum and double decanted for a few hours. Very open, soft, ripe and ready. My first bottle showed an electric excitement but with butter, pastry and ripe fruit and the second perhaps a little restrained.
This bottle follows the pattern and some thought it was quite developed already, another mentioning touches of banana / soap. I believe everyone enjoyed it and I’m not sure it needed the decant.
This is good but quite a rich open wine and will go well with a creamy dish, fish, butter or the fantastic rabbit pasta we had.
Don’t be worried to open one now and see how they are going. No overt oak so ready to drink I think.
This bottle follows the pattern and some thought it was quite developed already, another mentioning touches of banana / soap. I believe everyone enjoyed it and I’m not sure it needed the decant.
This is good but quite a rich open wine and will go well with a creamy dish, fish, butter or the fantastic rabbit pasta we had.
Don’t be worried to open one now and see how they are going. No overt oak so ready to drink I think.
White
2014 Kumeu River Chardonnay Maté's Vineyard
92 points
From magnum maybe a 92+. Perhaps a little overwhelmed by the quality of the flight and perhaps having 4 in flight was a little too much as the Raveneau and Alvina Pernot at 1 and 2 really did take stage. This should have been the first.
Like green tinge to it compared to others and this perhaps appears on the palate. Oak is in a nice place now and a good bottle, not really moved from previous bottles
Less open and rich compared to the burgundies with it. Showing sharper acidity
Very good
Like green tinge to it compared to others and this perhaps appears on the palate. Oak is in a nice place now and a good bottle, not really moved from previous bottles
Less open and rich compared to the burgundies with it. Showing sharper acidity
Very good
White
2017 Domaine Henri Boillot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Mouchère
93 points
This is a wine that passed me by somewhat in the lineup but was excellent. From Magnum and found it quite ready to drink. I have two more mags of this and really would like to try again where I can asses it better. Rounded, Smokey and some oak.
No doubt will improve and no worries in holding.
No doubt will improve and no worries in holding.
Flight 4 - Lamb a La Nicoise With Olive Oil, Creamed Potatoes, Artichokes and Basil (3 notes)
Red
2009 Ridge Geyserville
93 points
From magnum again and consistent. Open, rich and easy to enjoy. Was shown up a little next to the Verite but given the value difference that’s fine. Loved it and sort of wine can open at any event.
Red
2013 Vérité La Muse
95 points
From Magnum. A big wine, deep in colour, mostly Merlot with 8% Cab Franc and a splash of Malbec. The Cab Franc shows on the nose in a lovely way and there is a cool / altitude feel about it so the 14.5% isn’t obvious. It’s a pup. Revisit.
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Red
1986 Dominus Estate
92 points
From Magnum. Delighted this was in great condition as bought via auction. The colour was a surprise as still deep and dense, sitting quite comfortably next to the 2009 and 2013.
Nose full of green pepper and very much a Bordeaux ringer. Not sure I loved it and stood out next to the Verite and Ridge. It may have done better in a more Bordeaux focussed flight.
13.5% still going quite strongly.
Nose full of green pepper and very much a Bordeaux ringer. Not sure I loved it and stood out next to the Verite and Ridge. It may have done better in a more Bordeaux focussed flight.
13.5% still going quite strongly.
Flight 5 - Fourme d’Ambert, Gorganzola Picante, Aged Gouda, Munster, Camembert (1 note)
Rivesaltes with cheese - Yes Please.
Red - Fortified
1973 L'Archiviste Rivesaltes
93 points
Lovely once more. Light on palate given quite a boozy nose. 17%
Lovely sweetness and amazing with cheese.
Lovely sweetness and amazing with cheese.
Flight 6 - Strawberry And Vanilla Tartlet With Kampot Pepper Ice Cream And Pistachio (1 note)
White - Off-dry
2001 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Auction
96 points
From Magnum. Stunning. I’ve boringly made notes of Mango and lychee and has a purity of fruit. Beautifully light, sweet and refreshing. This was good and perhaps second wine of the event though in some ways sweet wines should be on their own I feel as can stand out at the end of a long meal.
Closing
Amazing lunch, wines fantastic and restaurant very accommodating.