Solihull Fine Society Christmas tasting.

Rowland put on a tasting which was one of the finest and most expensive our
society has had in our 27 years existence.

The only clue to the night was that there was a single theme and one rogue
wine.

All blind as normal. It turned out to be one of the most difficult tastings
ever. Many red faces and offers of resignation ;-)

Bollinger Grande Annee 1997, Straw and fine mousse, lovely digestive biscuit
nose with wet cardboard overtones. Soft entrance with fruit and some really
sharp acidity, which balanced the acidity well. Yum.

Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Domaine Leroy 1997, a pale Burgundian robe, a
little dull. A sublime ****pot pinot nose with simple vegetal hints, opened
up after 30 mins, soft palate, long fruit and finished a tad bitter. Was to
turn out to be one of the poorest wines of the night!! Drink up

Hermitage La Chapelle, Jaboulet Aine, 1997, good legs no hint of brown,
extract+, Some VA that blew off to reveal a restrained spicy ? pinot, with a
rather chemical nose, big fruit and harsh tannins,
New World and going over, Ha Ha!, not good and reflects The poor recent
years of La Chapelle. Drink up

Beaucastel 1997, what a coincidence with Bills notes of y'day. Nailed by the
writer, ( makes up for the rest). Bright as a button, no ageing, noseful of
bret that gave it away ( cf Bills Notes), blew offf to reveal a rather
sublime leafmould and compost heap, with spice. A wonderful soft entry with
sweet soft tannins, long. Superb and one of the WOTN. Drink and keep 5-10.

Monte Bello, Ridge Vineyards 1997. Brooding power, dusty spice and rubber,
cedar and spice complex, a soft entrance, then Bang, big fruit and tannins
yet so easy to drink now, a class act.
I thought it was a super Tuscan, others went for Oz Shiraz, or even a
hopeful Zin. A long life ahead.

Ch. Pichon-Longueville Baron 1997, much paler than the Ridge, hint of brown,
classic claret nose, cinnamon, leather, old cupboards. Watery after the
Ridge!, slight tannins and spice, wonderful balance, long++, a really good
claret. Drink next 5 yeras.

Ch. Latour, 1997, opaque viscous with no age. Complex steely, flinty, cedar,
massive fruit and tannins, spice and bite. So long, wonderful. My WOTN and I
thought it was Haut Brion. Easily drinkable now and another ten years.

Ch LLC 1997, A purple edged beauty, dumb and complex, immature tight claret
nose, firm tannins and good fruit, yet not enough acidity to give it
balance, a little flabby says my notes. Drink now, but I feel the future may
be marred by the lack of acidity.

Ch Margaux 1997. A good looker like the Latour, no ageing,, toasty oaky
vegetal , seaweed and leather, ( Nose of the NIght), full fruit and spice ,
rounded tannins, no sharp edges, finishes a tad short. I thought it was
Latour.

What a line up, total cost GBP 636, but worth every penny.
In France a lightweight early drinking vintage and I agree, I thought the
first growths were superb at GBP 95 each. Rowland chose the vintage as one
that would be drinking yet affordable. (At this rate I might have to go back
to work ;-( )