What magic to dip into a 40 year old off-vintage wine and still see so much character. While certainly at the end of its life, this offered an incredible depth of sweet mesquite, pipe tobacco, and fig, with this gently bright cherry note that sat on top of it all. The nose exceeded the palate, which didn't have the structure nor integration I'd usually expect from la Chapelle. While not in the pocket, there is still some pleasure to be had, even if just in the form of nostalgia.
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2011 Simple Dinner Series 4 :: K's Birthday (Kam Boat @ Shaw Centre): Oh my, for a normal vintage and at 33yrs of age, this wine still very much alive and the freshness is impressive. The nose has fully mature with sweet fig core surrounded by earthiness, autumn leaves and mineral. Very fresh, retain rather sweet palate with dark plum, dried fig as well as touch of earthy gaminess complexity. Low level of tannin kick in here which provide good mid palate grip that flow onto the very silky, quite powerful but elegance finish. Not top class, but a complete, mature wine that still at it's peak. Buy - Maybe.
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Kenneth's Bday (Kam Boat, Shaw Centre): From the nose clearly a Rhône but not as pungent as one from the Southern part. This is drinking at the peak now and would probably hold for a few more years. Fruit is not fading yet but tannins almost fully resolved. A classic La Chapelle.
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8/8/2017 - EvanfromEdmonton wrote:
What magic to dip into a 40 year old off-vintage wine and still see so much character. While certainly at the end of its life, this offered an incredible depth of sweet mesquite, pipe tobacco, and fig, with this gently bright cherry note that sat on top of it all. The nose exceeded the palate, which didn't have the structure nor integration I'd usually expect from la Chapelle. While not in the pocket, there is still some pleasure to be had, even if just in the form of nostalgia.
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3/18/2011 - Sleepy Dave wrote:
2011 Simple Dinner Series 4 :: K's Birthday (Kam Boat @ Shaw Centre): Oh my, for a normal vintage and at 33yrs of age, this wine still very much alive and the freshness is impressive. The nose has fully mature with sweet fig core surrounded by earthiness, autumn leaves and mineral. Very fresh, retain rather sweet palate with dark plum, dried fig as well as touch of earthy gaminess complexity. Low level of tannin kick in here which provide good mid palate grip that flow onto the very silky, quite powerful but elegance finish. Not top class, but a complete, mature wine that still at it's peak. Buy - Maybe.
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3/18/2011 - Dbrane wrote: 86 Points
Kenneth's Bday (Kam Boat, Shaw Centre): From the nose clearly a Rhône but not as pungent as one from the Southern part. This is drinking at the peak now and would probably hold for a few more years. Fruit is not fading yet but tannins almost fully resolved. A classic La Chapelle.
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5/11/2010 - Rupert wrote: 89 Points
Hermitage La Chapelle - complete vertical 1961-2005 (Institute of Directors, London): Light, luminous, tea-like and herby, tobacco on the nose - I liked this, as did Linden, to the derision of the others present
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