Monday Betsy was in the Verdi Requiem at Carnegie Hall , so I decided
it was a good time to indulge in liver and onions (as she doesn't care
for it). Wine was the 2006 Canneto Rosso di Montepulciano. I confess
when I got this I actually thought I was buying a very well-priced
Rosso di Montalcino, I didn't realize my mistake till putting it in
the cellar. Well, as mistakes got this wasn't at all painful. Medium
bodied with rich black cherry fruit, a little bit of chewy tannins, a
sturdy Sangiovese that is satisfying if not quite exciting. B

Tuesday we had a couple over in late celebration of their joint
birthdays. Alex had told me he had never had a birthyear wine, so
thought this was a good time to try a half of '61 Gloria (with some
backup claret). Betsy made goat cheese/chive.mustard souffles as
starter, followed by squab in a porcini marinade with mashed potatoes,
an endive and watercress salad, and cheese. My only culinary
contribution was butchering the squabs (these were plucked, but Betsy
prefers not to do entrail/head removal) and slicing the bread.

With the chevre souffles, the 2007 Domane de la Charmoise Sauvignon
(Touraine). Lemon and gooseberry, fresh and crisp, nothing especially
complex but a clean, correct, and comfortable Sauvignon Blanc. At $12
I'll buy again. B

On to the reds, with the squab:
1961 Ch. Gloria (St Julien), 375 ml
So I knew I was taking a chance buying a couple of half bottles. Great
vintage, but 47 is really stretching it for a Cru Bourgeois in this
format. I warned it might be a disappointment, and the fact the cork
was basically sawdust made me pessimistic. But lo and behold, as it
went through funnel into decanter the color was dark and pure. In the
glass there was some bricking around the edges, but overall quite
bright. Nice sweet cassis and black plum fruit, a bit of earth and
tobacco, amazingly young. I can't say it was the most complex older
claret I've run across, but it was quite enjoyable, and the real
pleasure was watching Alex marvel at a wine as old as himself. Lasted
well through the course. B+ for the wine, A for the exceeding
expectations.

1970 Ch. de Pez (St Estephe)
I've had this a few times, always a pretty dependable wine, if not
exciting. Redder fruits, higher acids than the Gloria. Maybe a bit
more happening on the secondary/tertiary level than the St Julien,
there's lots of damp earth, as well as cigarbox and cigarsmoke. A bit
sharp after some time in decanter. B/B+

1990 Ch. Haut Brisson (St Emilion)
Youngest red of the night, closest to the grave. Red plummy fruit, a
hint of prune, some earth. Resolved tannins, some nice tobacco-y
notes,but short for a '90. Drink up fast if you have. B/B-

Fun night with fun people.

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.
*

In article
>,
DaleW > wrote:

> Monday Betsy was in the Verdi Requiem at Carnegie Hall , so I decided
> it was a good time to indulge in liver and onions (as she doesn't care
> for it). Wine was the 2006 Canneto Rosso di Montepulciano. I confess
> when I got this I actually thought I was buying a very well-priced
> Rosso di Montalcino, I didn't realize my mistake till putting it in
> the cellar. Well, as mistakes got this wasn't at all painful. Medium
> bodied with rich black cherry fruit, a little bit of chewy tannins, a
> sturdy Sangiovese that is satisfying if not quite exciting. B
>
> Tuesday we had a couple over in late celebration of their joint
> birthdays. Alex had told me he had never had a birthyear wine, so
> thought this was a good time to try a half of '61 Gloria (with some
> backup claret). Betsy made goat cheese/chive.mustard souffles as
> starter, followed by squab in a porcini marinade with mashed potatoes,
> an endive and watercress salad, and cheese. My only culinary
> contribution was butchering the squabs (these were plucked, but Betsy
> prefers not to do entrail/head removal) and slicing the bread.
>
> With the chevre souffles, the 2007 Domane de la Charmoise Sauvignon
> (Touraine). Lemon and gooseberry, fresh and crisp, nothing especially
> complex but a clean, correct, and comfortable Sauvignon Blanc. At $12
> I'll buy again. B
>
> On to the reds, with the squab:
> 1961 Ch. Gloria (St Julien), 375 ml
> So I knew I was taking a chance buying a couple of half bottles. Great
> vintage, but 47 is really stretching it for a Cru Bourgeois in this
> format. I warned it might be a disappointment, and the fact the cork
> was basically sawdust made me pessimistic. But lo and behold, as it
> went through funnel into decanter the color was dark and pure. In the
> glass there was some bricking around the edges, but overall quite
> bright. Nice sweet cassis and black plum fruit, a bit of earth and
> tobacco, amazingly young. I can't say it was the most complex older
> claret I've run across, but it was quite enjoyable, and the real
> pleasure was watching Alex marvel at a wine as old as himself. Lasted
> well through the course. B+ for the wine, A for the exceeding
> expectations.
>
> 1970 Ch. de Pez (St Estephe)
> I've had this a few times, always a pretty dependable wine, if not
> exciting. Redder fruits, higher acids than the Gloria. Maybe a bit
> more happening on the secondary/tertiary level than the St Julien,
> there's lots of damp earth, as well as cigarbox and cigarsmoke. A bit
> sharp after some time in decanter. B/B+
>
> 1990 Ch. Haut Brisson (St Emilion)
> Youngest red of the night, closest to the grave. Red plummy fruit, a
> hint of prune, some earth. Resolved tannins, some nice tobacco-y
> notes,but short for a '90. Drink up fast if you have. B/B-
>
> Fun night with fun people.
>
> Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
> wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
> drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
> promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.
> *

So has everyone on the list had a wine from their birth year? I have
never had a '47 Bordeaux but would love to if I could afford it.

On Dec 10, 3:18�pm, Lawrence Leichtman > wrote:
> In article
> >,
>
>
>
>
>
> �DaleW > wrote:
> > Monday Betsy was in the Verdi Requiem at Carnegie Hall , so I decided
> > it was a good time to indulge in liver and onions (as she doesn't care
> > for it). Wine was the 2006 Canneto Rosso di Montepulciano. I confess
> > when I got this I actually thought I was buying a very well-priced
> > Rosso di Montalcino, I didn't realize my mistake till putting it in
> > the cellar. Well, as mistakes got this wasn't at all painful. Medium
> > bodied with rich black cherry fruit, a little bit of chewy tannins, a
> > sturdy Sangiovese that is satisfying if not quite exciting. B
>
> > Tuesday we had a couple over in late celebration of their joint
> > birthdays. Alex had told me he had never had a birthyear wine, so
> > thought this was a good time to try a half of '61 Gloria (with some
> > backup claret). Betsy made � goat cheese/chive.mustard souffles as
> > starter, followed by squab in a porcini marinade with mashed potatoes,
> > an endive and watercress salad, and cheese. My only culinary
> > contribution was butchering the squabs (these were plucked, but Betsy
> > prefers not to do entrail/head removal) and slicing the bread.
>
> > With the chevre souffles, the 2007 Domane de la Charmoise �Sauvignon
> > (Touraine). Lemon and gooseberry, fresh and crisp, nothing especially
> > complex but a clean, correct, and comfortable Sauvignon Blanc. At $12
> > I'll buy again. B
>
> > On to the reds, with the squab:
> > 1961 Ch. Gloria (St Julien), 375 ml
> > So I knew I was taking a chance buying a couple of half bottles. Great
> > vintage, but 47 is really stretching it �for a Cru Bourgeois in this
> > format. I warned it might be a disappointment, and the fact the cork
> > was basically sawdust made me pessimistic. But lo and behold, as it
> > went through funnel into decanter the color was dark and pure. In the
> > glass there was some bricking around the edges, but overall quite
> > bright. Nice sweet cassis and black plum fruit, a bit of earth and
> > tobacco, amazingly young. I can't say it was the most complex older
> > claret I've run across, but it was quite enjoyable, and the real
> > pleasure was watching Alex marvel at a wine as old as himself. Lasted
> > well through the course. B+ for the wine, A for the exceeding
> > expectations.
>
> > 1970 Ch. de Pez (St Estephe)
> > I've had this a few times, always �a pretty dependable wine, if not
> > exciting. Redder fruits, higher acids than the Gloria. Maybe a bit
> > more happening on the secondary/tertiary �level than the St Julien,
> > there's lots of damp earth, as well as cigarbox and cigarsmoke. A bit
> > sharp after some time in decanter. B/B+
>
> > 1990 Ch. Haut Brisson (St Emilion)
> > Youngest red of the night, closest to the grave. Red plummy fruit, a
> > hint of prune, some earth. Resolved tannins, some nice tobacco-y
> > notes,but short for a '90. Drink up fast if you have. B/B-
>
> > Fun night with fun people.
>
> > Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
> > wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
> > drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
> > promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.
> > �
>
> So has everyone on the list had a wine from their birth year? I have
> never had a '47 Bordeaux but would love to if I could afford it.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

'47 Bdx is a real tough one, as they are horrendously expensive (and
that's not even getting into the counterfeiting issues). I just saw
the Chasse Spleen at Cellaraiders for $245, but that's really
stretching it for a CB. Safest bet for a few hundred would probably be
keeping eye open for a good Loire sticky, or a Barolo.

I'm a '60, and I've had a few '60 Bdx, ranging from poor to not so
great. I've had better luck with Port (not a great year, but some
solid wines). I have one lone bottle of '60 BV GdlT I'm holding for my
50th. Betsy is a '59, but I don't have any reds for her next birthday
(keeping my eyes out for Rioja, more affordable than '59 Bdx). I do
have 3 sweet wines, though- a Moulin Touchais, a sweet Primitivo(!),
and a Sauternes.

I think it's fun to drink one's birthyear wine, but I wouldn't trade a
mortgage payment for it!

On Dec 10, 3:18�pm, Lawrence Leichtman > wrote:
> In article
> >,
>
>
>
>
>
> �DaleW > wrote:
> > Monday Betsy was in the Verdi Requiem at Carnegie Hall , so I decided
> > it was a good time to indulge in liver and onions (as she doesn't care
> > for it). Wine was the 2006 Canneto Rosso di Montepulciano. I confess
> > when I got this I actually thought I was buying a very well-priced
> > Rosso di Montalcino, I didn't realize my mistake till putting it in
> > the cellar. Well, as mistakes got this wasn't at all painful. Medium
> > bodied with rich black cherry fruit, a little bit of chewy tannins, a
> > sturdy Sangiovese that is satisfying if not quite exciting. B
>
> > Tuesday we had a couple over in late celebration of their joint
> > birthdays. Alex had told me he had never had a birthyear wine, so
> > thought this was a good time to try a half of '61 Gloria (with some
> > backup claret). Betsy made � goat cheese/chive.mustard souffles as
> > starter, followed by squab in a porcini marinade with mashed potatoes,
> > an endive and watercress salad, and cheese. My only culinary
> > contribution was butchering the squabs (these were plucked, but Betsy
> > prefers not to do entrail/head removal) and slicing the bread.
>
> > With the chevre souffles, the 2007 Domane de la Charmoise �Sauvignon
> > (Touraine). Lemon and gooseberry, fresh and crisp, nothing especially
> > complex but a clean, correct, and comfortable Sauvignon Blanc. At $12
> > I'll buy again. B
>
> > On to the reds, with the squab:
> > 1961 Ch. Gloria (St Julien), 375 ml
> > So I knew I was taking a chance buying a couple of half bottles. Great
> > vintage, but 47 is really stretching it �for a Cru Bourgeois in this
> > format. I warned it might be a disappointment, and the fact the cork
> > was basically sawdust made me pessimistic. But lo and behold, as it
> > went through funnel into decanter the color was dark and pure. In the
> > glass there was some bricking around the edges, but overall quite
> > bright. Nice sweet cassis and black plum fruit, a bit of earth and
> > tobacco, amazingly young. I can't say it was the most complex older
> > claret I've run across, but it was quite enjoyable, and the real
> > pleasure was watching Alex marvel at a wine as old as himself. Lasted
> > well through the course. B+ for the wine, A for the exceeding
> > expectations.
>
> > 1970 Ch. de Pez (St Estephe)
> > I've had this a few times, always �a pretty dependable wine, if not
> > exciting. Redder fruits, higher acids than the Gloria. Maybe a bit
> > more happening on the secondary/tertiary �level than the St Julien,
> > there's lots of damp earth, as well as cigarbox and cigarsmoke. A bit
> > sharp after some time in decanter. B/B+
>
> > 1990 Ch. Haut Brisson (St Emilion)
> > Youngest red of the night, closest to the grave. Red plummy fruit, a
> > hint of prune, some earth. Resolved tannins, some nice tobacco-y
> > notes,but short for a '90. Drink up fast if you have. B/B-
>
> > Fun night with fun people.
>
> > Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
> > wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
> > drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
> > promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.
> > �
>
> So has everyone on the list had a wine from their birth year? I have
> never had a '47 Bordeaux but would love to if I could afford it.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I'm a '51 but haven't ever had a '51 nor have I even seen one. I have
had a '47 1st growth though and I hope you can find a decent one at a
good price.

In article
>,
"Bi!!" > wrote:

> On Dec 10, 3:18?pm, Lawrence Leichtman > wrote:
> > In article
> > >,
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ?DaleW > wrote:
> > > Monday Betsy was in the Verdi Requiem at Carnegie Hall , so I decided
> > > it was a good time to indulge in liver and onions (as she doesn't care
> > > for it). Wine was the 2006 Canneto Rosso di Montepulciano. I confess
> > > when I got this I actually thought I was buying a very well-priced
> > > Rosso di Montalcino, I didn't realize my mistake till putting it in
> > > the cellar. Well, as mistakes got this wasn't at all painful. Medium
> > > bodied with rich black cherry fruit, a little bit of chewy tannins, a
> > > sturdy Sangiovese that is satisfying if not quite exciting. B
> >
> > > Tuesday we had a couple over in late celebration of their joint
> > > birthdays. Alex had told me he had never had a birthyear wine, so
> > > thought this was a good time to try a half of '61 Gloria (with some
> > > backup claret). Betsy made ? goat cheese/chive.mustard souffles as
> > > starter, followed by squab in a porcini marinade with mashed potatoes,
> > > an endive and watercress salad, and cheese. My only culinary
> > > contribution was butchering the squabs (these were plucked, but Betsy
> > > prefers not to do entrail/head removal) and slicing the bread.
> >
> > > With the chevre souffles, the 2007 Domane de la Charmoise ?Sauvignon
> > > (Touraine). Lemon and gooseberry, fresh and crisp, nothing especially
> > > complex but a clean, correct, and comfortable Sauvignon Blanc. At $12
> > > I'll buy again. B
> >
> > > On to the reds, with the squab:
> > > 1961 Ch. Gloria (St Julien), 375 ml
> > > So I knew I was taking a chance buying a couple of half bottles. Great
> > > vintage, but 47 is really stretching it ?for a Cru Bourgeois in this
> > > format. I warned it might be a disappointment, and the fact the cork
> > > was basically sawdust made me pessimistic. But lo and behold, as it
> > > went through funnel into decanter the color was dark and pure. In the
> > > glass there was some bricking around the edges, but overall quite
> > > bright. Nice sweet cassis and black plum fruit, a bit of earth and
> > > tobacco, amazingly young. I can't say it was the most complex older
> > > claret I've run across, but it was quite enjoyable, and the real
> > > pleasure was watching Alex marvel at a wine as old as himself. Lasted
> > > well through the course. B+ for the wine, A for the exceeding
> > > expectations.
> >
> > > 1970 Ch. de Pez (St Estephe)
> > > I've had this a few times, always ?a pretty dependable wine, if not
> > > exciting. Redder fruits, higher acids than the Gloria. Maybe a bit
> > > more happening on the secondary/tertiary ?level than the St Julien,
> > > there's lots of damp earth, as well as cigarbox and cigarsmoke. A bit
> > > sharp after some time in decanter. B/B+
> >
> > > 1990 Ch. Haut Brisson (St Emilion)
> > > Youngest red of the night, closest to the grave. Red plummy fruit, a
> > > hint of prune, some earth. Resolved tannins, some nice tobacco-y
> > > notes,but short for a '90. Drink up fast if you have. B/B-
> >
> > > Fun night with fun people.
> >
> > > Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
> > > wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
> > > drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
> > > promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.
> > > ?
> >
> > So has everyone on the list had a wine from their birth year? I have
> > never had a '47 Bordeaux but would love to if I could afford it.- Hide
> > quoted text -
> >
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> I'm a '51 but haven't ever had a '51 nor have I even seen one. I have
> had a '47 1st growth though and I hope you can find a decent one at a
> good price.

So far, the best I'v seen was $8750 and that really isn't affordable.

In article
>,
DaleW > wrote:

> On Dec 10, 3:18?pm, Lawrence Leichtman > wrote:
> > In article
> > >,
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ?DaleW > wrote:
> > > Monday Betsy was in the Verdi Requiem at Carnegie Hall , so I decided
> > > it was a good time to indulge in liver and onions (as she doesn't care
> > > for it). Wine was the 2006 Canneto Rosso di Montepulciano. I confess
> > > when I got this I actually thought I was buying a very well-priced
> > > Rosso di Montalcino, I didn't realize my mistake till putting it in
> > > the cellar. Well, as mistakes got this wasn't at all painful. Medium
> > > bodied with rich black cherry fruit, a little bit of chewy tannins, a
> > > sturdy Sangiovese that is satisfying if not quite exciting. B
> >
> > > Tuesday we had a couple over in late celebration of their joint
> > > birthdays. Alex had told me he had never had a birthyear wine, so
> > > thought this was a good time to try a half of '61 Gloria (with some
> > > backup claret). Betsy made ? goat cheese/chive.mustard souffles as
> > > starter, followed by squab in a porcini marinade with mashed potatoes,
> > > an endive and watercress salad, and cheese. My only culinary
> > > contribution was butchering the squabs (these were plucked, but Betsy
> > > prefers not to do entrail/head removal) and slicing the bread.
> >
> > > With the chevre souffles, the 2007 Domane de la Charmoise ?Sauvignon
> > > (Touraine). Lemon and gooseberry, fresh and crisp, nothing especially
> > > complex but a clean, correct, and comfortable Sauvignon Blanc. At $12
> > > I'll buy again. B
> >
> > > On to the reds, with the squab:
> > > 1961 Ch. Gloria (St Julien), 375 ml
> > > So I knew I was taking a chance buying a couple of half bottles. Great
> > > vintage, but 47 is really stretching it ?for a Cru Bourgeois in this
> > > format. I warned it might be a disappointment, and the fact the cork
> > > was basically sawdust made me pessimistic. But lo and behold, as it
> > > went through funnel into decanter the color was dark and pure. In the
> > > glass there was some bricking around the edges, but overall quite
> > > bright. Nice sweet cassis and black plum fruit, a bit of earth and
> > > tobacco, amazingly young. I can't say it was the most complex older
> > > claret I've run across, but it was quite enjoyable, and the real
> > > pleasure was watching Alex marvel at a wine as old as himself. Lasted
> > > well through the course. B+ for the wine, A for the exceeding
> > > expectations.
> >
> > > 1970 Ch. de Pez (St Estephe)
> > > I've had this a few times, always ?a pretty dependable wine, if not
> > > exciting. Redder fruits, higher acids than the Gloria. Maybe a bit
> > > more happening on the secondary/tertiary ?level than the St Julien,
> > > there's lots of damp earth, as well as cigarbox and cigarsmoke. A bit
> > > sharp after some time in decanter. B/B+
> >
> > > 1990 Ch. Haut Brisson (St Emilion)
> > > Youngest red of the night, closest to the grave. Red plummy fruit, a
> > > hint of prune, some earth. Resolved tannins, some nice tobacco-y
> > > notes,but short for a '90. Drink up fast if you have. B/B-
> >
> > > Fun night with fun people.
> >
> > > Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
> > > wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
> > > drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
> > > promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.
> > > ?
> >
> > So has everyone on the list had a wine from their birth year? I have
> > never had a '47 Bordeaux but would love to if I could afford it.- Hide
> > quoted text -
> >
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> '47 Bdx is a real tough one, as they are horrendously expensive (and
> that's not even getting into the counterfeiting issues). I just saw
> the Chasse Spleen at Cellaraiders for $245, but that's really
> stretching it for a CB. Safest bet for a few hundred would probably be
> keeping eye open for a good Loire sticky, or a Barolo.
>
> I'm a '60, and I've had a few '60 Bdx, ranging from poor to not so
> great. I've had better luck with Port (not a great year, but some
> solid wines). I have one lone bottle of '60 BV GdlT I'm holding for my
> 50th. Betsy is a '59, but I don't have any reds for her next birthday
> (keeping my eyes out for Rioja, more affordable than '59 Bdx). I do
> have 3 sweet wines, though- a Moulin Touchais, a sweet Primitivo(!),
> and a Sauternes.
>
> I think it's fun to drink one's birthyear wine, but I wouldn't trade a
> mortgage payment for it!

Thanks, just found a '47 Riserva Borgogno for $300 but I'm not familiar
with that one. I still have two bottles of La Tache 1960 that I have
been saving for, I don't know what. Just haven't had the nerve to pop
them.

On Dec 10, 5:13�pm, Lawrence Leichtman > wrote:
> In article
> >,
>
>
>
>
>
> �DaleW > wrote:
> > On Dec 10, 3:18?pm, Lawrence Leichtman > wrote:
> > > In article
> > > >,
>
> > > ?DaleW > wrote:
> > > > Monday Betsy was in the Verdi Requiem at Carnegie Hall , so I decided
> > > > it was a good time to indulge in liver and onions (as she doesn't care
> > > > for it). Wine was the 2006 Canneto Rosso di Montepulciano. I confess
> > > > when I got this I actually thought I was buying a very well-priced
> > > > Rosso di Montalcino, I didn't realize my mistake till putting it in
> > > > the cellar. Well, as mistakes got this wasn't at all painful. Medium
> > > > bodied with rich black cherry fruit, a little bit of chewy tannins, a
> > > > sturdy Sangiovese that is satisfying if not quite exciting. B
>
> > > > Tuesday we had a couple over in late celebration of their joint
> > > > birthdays. Alex had told me he had never had a birthyear wine, so
> > > > thought this was a good time to try a half of '61 Gloria (with some
> > > > backup claret). Betsy made ? goat cheese/chive.mustard souffles as
> > > > starter, followed by squab in a porcini marinade with mashed potatoes,
> > > > an endive and watercress salad, and cheese. My only culinary
> > > > contribution was butchering the squabs (these were plucked, but Betsy
> > > > prefers not to do entrail/head removal) and slicing the bread.
>
> > > > With the chevre souffles, the 2007 Domane de la Charmoise ?Sauvignon
> > > > (Touraine). Lemon and gooseberry, fresh and crisp, nothing especially
> > > > complex but a clean, correct, and comfortable Sauvignon Blanc. At $12
> > > > I'll buy again. B
>
> > > > On to the reds, with the squab:
> > > > 1961 Ch. Gloria (St Julien), 375 ml
> > > > So I knew I was taking a chance buying a couple of half bottles. Great
> > > > vintage, but 47 is really stretching it ?for a Cru Bourgeois in this
> > > > format. I warned it might be a disappointment, and the fact the cork
> > > > was basically sawdust made me pessimistic. But lo and behold, as it
> > > > went through funnel into decanter the color was dark and pure. In the
> > > > glass there was some bricking around the edges, but overall quite
> > > > bright. Nice sweet cassis and black plum fruit, a bit of earth and
> > > > tobacco, amazingly young. I can't say it was the most complex older
> > > > claret I've run across, but it was quite enjoyable, and the real
> > > > pleasure was watching Alex marvel at a wine as old as himself. Lasted
> > > > well through the course. B+ for the wine, A for the exceeding
> > > > expectations.
>
> > > > 1970 Ch. de Pez (St Estephe)
> > > > I've had this a few times, always ?a pretty dependable wine, if not
> > > > exciting. Redder fruits, higher acids than the Gloria. Maybe a bit
> > > > more happening on the secondary/tertiary ?level than the St Julien,
> > > > there's lots of damp earth, as well as cigarbox and cigarsmoke. A bit
> > > > sharp after some time in decanter. B/B+
>
> > > > 1990 Ch. Haut Brisson (St Emilion)
> > > > Youngest red of the night, closest to the grave. Red plummy fruit, a
> > > > hint of prune, some earth. Resolved tannins, some nice tobacco-y
> > > > notes,but short for a '90. Drink up fast if you have. B/B-
>
> > > > Fun night with fun people.
>
> > > > Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
> > > > wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
> > > > drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
> > > > promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency..
> > > > ?
>
> > > So has everyone on the list had a wine from their birth year? I have
> > > never had a '47 Bordeaux but would love to if I could afford it.- Hide
> > > quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > '47 Bdx is a real tough one, as �they are horrendously expensive (and
> > that's not even getting into the counterfeiting issues). I just saw
> > the Chasse Spleen at Cellaraiders for $245, but that's really
> > stretching it for a CB. Safest bet for a few hundred would probably be
> > keeping eye open for a good Loire sticky, or a Barolo.
>
> > I'm a �'60, and I've had a few '60 Bdx, ranging from poor to not so
> > great. I've had better luck with Port (not a great year, but some
> > solid wines). I have one lone bottle of '60 BV GdlT I'm holding for my
> > 50th. Betsy is a '59, but I don't have any reds for her next birthday
> > (keeping my eyes out for Rioja, more affordable than '59 Bdx). I do
> > have 3 sweet wines, though- a Moulin Touchais, a sweet Primitivo(!),
> > and a Sauternes.
>
> > I think it's fun to drink one's birthyear wine, but I wouldn't trade a
> > mortgage payment for it!
>
> Thanks, just found a '47 Riserva Borgogno for $300 but I'm not familiar
> with that one. I still have two bottles of La Tache 1960 that I have
> been saving for, I don't know what. Just haven't had the nerve to pop
> them.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Is it Giacomo Borgogno? Pretty dependable producer, well-known for
library releases. I've had some from the 50s and 60s, generally pretty
good.

DaleW wrote:

> Tuesday we had a couple over in late celebration of their joint
> birthdays. Alex had told me he had never had a birthyear wine, so
> thought this was a good time to try a half of '61 Gloria (with some
> backup claret). Betsy made goat cheese/chive.mustard souffles as
> starter, followed by squab in a porcini marinade with mashed potatoes,
> an endive and watercress salad, and cheese. My only culinary
> contribution was butchering the squabs (these were plucked, but Betsy
> prefers not to do entrail/head removal) and slicing the bread.
>
> With the chevre souffles, the 2007 Domane de la Charmoise Sauvignon
> (Touraine). Lemon and gooseberry, fresh and crisp, nothing especially
> complex but a clean, correct, and comfortable Sauvignon Blanc. At $12
> I'll buy again. B

Nice lineup of wines, Dale. I'm envious. How were the souffles?
Frankly, the recipe sounded too rich for me, but I'd never say that to
Jenise. I've already heard your description of the squab, so I won't
ask about that. For the record, though, squab and Burgundy is a match
made in heaven.

Mark Lipton

On Dec 11, 1:08�pm, santiago > wrote:
> Interesting to read about Haut-Brisson, since I have been tasting there.
> The property has been bought by a Chinese man who is totally commited to
> the maximum quality (or so they say). I was underwhelmed anyway.
>
> s.

I thought the '05 was a pretty decent $20-25 St Emilion last week. Of
course, since it is $40 I won't buy....

On Dec 10, 11:13�pm, Mark Lipton > wrote:
> DaleW wrote:
> > Tuesday we had a couple over in late celebration of their joint
> > birthdays. Alex had told me he had never had a birthyear wine, so
> > thought this was a good time to try a half of '61 Gloria (with some
> > backup claret). Betsy made � goat cheese/chive.mustard souffles as
> > starter, followed by squab in a porcini marinade with mashed potatoes,
> > an endive and watercress salad, and cheese. My only culinary
> > contribution was butchering the squabs (these were plucked, but Betsy
> > prefers not to do entrail/head removal) and slicing the bread.
>
> > With the chevre souffles, the 2007 Domane de la Charmoise �Sauvignon
> > (Touraine). Lemon and gooseberry, fresh and crisp, nothing especially
> > complex but a clean, correct, and comfortable Sauvignon Blanc. At $12
> > I'll buy again. B
>
> Nice lineup of wines, Dale. �I'm envious. �How were the souffles?
> Frankly, the recipe sounded too rich for me, but I'd never say that to
> Jenise. �I've already heard your description of the squab, so I won't
> ask about that. �For the record, though, squab and Burgundy is a match
> made in heaven.
>
> Mark Lipton

Souffles were very tasty, and not too rich for my tastes. Of course,
they are small, and we served as a first course.

I like squab and Burgundy. Come to think of it, truly mature Bdx has a
fair amount of similarities to Burgundy, and most of my favorite
matches for either would work for the other (roast chicken being the
most obvious)