On Oct 10, 8:36 am, DaleW > wrote:
> On Oct 10, 7:00?am, "John T" > wrote:
>
>
>
> > Notes from last nights tasting at my house.
>
> > All blind as normal.
>
> > SOLIHULL FINE WINE SOCIETY 9th. OCTOBER 2007
>
> > Pinot Noir at Weston Close
>
> > 1) Amisfield, Otago, 2005. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Personal
> > Import
>
> >http://www.amisfield.co.nz/
>
> > Deep red, bright, viscous, a damson and raspberry nose, good entry and
> > balance, a little coarse at the end
>
> > 2) Chapeldown, Kent, 2005 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? At the door,
> > ?12.99
>
> > Almost a deep rose, simple pinot nose, jam and pepper, soft fruit, a summer
> > wine. Not bad for the UK
>
> > 3) Bourgorgne Rouge, Lecheneaut, 2003 ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Ballantynes ? ?8
>
> > Pale brick, wonderful, ****pot pinot, vegetal, elegant, wonderful balance,
> > spicy fruit, long. My 2nd WOTN. ( we have drunk this over the last 6 months
> > and it has never failed to impress, I have two cases of the 2005 on order)
>
> > 4) ?Pommard Clos de Lambots Girardin 1996 ? ? ? ??25
>
> > Sparklimg and bright, no age. gentle raspberry nose with some cinnamon.
> > Pity, drying out on the palate with little fruit, over the hill
>
> > 5) ?Nuit S Georges, Les Vancrains, Gouges 1996 ? ? ?25
>
> > Brick red with no age, a classic pinot nose, complex fruit and spice, soft
> > entry and a little austere. will it improve? Mixed opinions round the table
> > on this one.
>
> > 6) ?Clos Vougeot, Rene Engel, 1996 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?30
>
> > Badly corked
>
> > ************************************************** *******************
>
> > 7) Felton Road Otago 2005 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? WS ?19
>
> > ?Deep brick, a wonderful classic nose, quite scented, a wonderful balance
> > and complexity, finished very long. A draw for WOTN
>
> > 8) Gevrey-Chambertin, Aux Combottes, Dujac ? ? WS ?49
>
> > 2000
>
> > ?Pale brick, no age, an ethereal complex vegetal nose, reflected in its soft
> > fruit and balance, this is what good burgundy is all about. Shares WOTN with
> > the Felton Road which many thought was a premier cru burg.
>
> > 9) Ocio, Cono Sur, Chile 2005 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? WS ? 30
>
> > ?Portlike, huge extract, is this syrah?, everyone thought this was a ringer
> > despite my reassurances. A very strange nose, fruit++ spice++, massive fruit
> > on entry,and tannins. a big wine but atypical.
>
> > ************************************************** ******************
>
> > Well the NZ are giving the Frogs a run for their money, makes up for last
> > Saturday,
> > --
> > John T
>
> Thanks for the notes. I think 2000 is an underrated Burg vintage- not
> one for the ages, but good short to medium term. And Dujac is great
> (and distinctive).
As with any year, the quality of Burgundy ranges greatly in 1990
because of variatlions in microclimates, and quality of care in
growing the grapes and making the wines. Many of the top Burgundy
wines of 1990 have been highly rated by many critics who know Burgundy
well, such as Coates and Broadbent. Some of the top 1988 Burgundy
wines also have been highly rated, but they often are of a style that
requires more aging than the 1990s to resolve the considerable tannins
they often have. I can remember the young 1959s, many of which were
very easy to drink when relatively young but still only a shadow of
what they became with long aging as they developed secondary aromas
and tastes. Many top 1959s, including La Tache, are still very good. I
would guess the better 1990s will still be decent to serve at a wake
for most of us. On the other hand, 1988s might be a better choice for
leaving for children and grandchildren.
According to Decanter, a single bottle of 1990 Romanee-Conti sold for
4725 UK Pounds at a Christies auction. A case of Georges and Henri
Jayer's 1990 Echezeaux brought 10687 Pounds. Of the DRC wines, some of
the 1990s are more desired and expensive than some of the
corresponding 1988s and vv. Of the best top Burgundy now at , or near
peak, 1985 and 1978 often seem to be the best, and unfortunately the
price reflects this. The 1978 Romanee-Conti now goes for about 32992
UK Pounds per case at auction, while the 1985 costs about 34100. The
1978 La Tache goes for about 21850 while the 1985 sells for about
14375. These auction prices come from a recent issue of Decanter. The
top Burgundy from Leroy is not tracked in Decanter, but it sometimes
is better, lasts longer, and is more expensive than the wines of DRC.
Both DRC and Leroy are more willing to take risks than most, and they
are likely to leave the grapes on the vine to ripen more in less ideal
years, etc. The small vineyards of their top grapes can be very
rapidly harvested in the case of a turn in the weather for the worst.
A very few other growers take such good care of their grapes and will
take considerable risks in less ripe years, but most can not afford to
do so.
I always remember the 1959 and 1961 Bordeauxs. Early on, many rated
the 1959s as superior to the 1961s, many of which were quite tannic
and harsh when young. In the short term, for those who drank their
wine before it was mature, they were right. Then in a few years, the
1961s often were rated higher. Some, as was usual back then, managed
to make poor wine in both years. However today the finer wines of 1961
perhaps are better than the finer wines of 1959 on average, although
there are many exceptions. Many would select 1959 Lafite over 1961
Lafite, for example.