WTN: Lafarge, Pichon, Tempier

Small dinner with Claude Kolm and Larry Stein, to mark many things.

2003 Michel Lafarge Beaune-Grèves
This was my contribution. I hesitated at the wine shop, but called Claude and he was positive both about Lafarge in 03 and about the potential for 03 evolution since bottling. So, worth a flier, we popped this first and there was plenty of legitimate wine in the bottle. The fruit is firm dark and spicy, nice real wine. But, then come the tannins sweeping over the palate and never letting go. Will see what happens.

2004 Christophe Pichon St. Joseph
Never saw a bottle of this before. It showed porky porky fresh Northern Rhone syrah, and only got better and better with air. Lovely delicate supple stuff that is solid QPR and well worth drinking.

With the porcini ravioli we needed some funky earthy wines, so the 1988 Domaine Tempier Bandol La Migoua and the 1988 Domaine Tempier Bandol La Tourtine were well-suited. At first, both bottles showed a bit too funky, which I thought was brett, but Claude felt was reduction. Over time, things became clearer and more compelling. My preference was for the La Migoua because the palate was fuller, richer, but of course still streamlined and complex with age. Very nice stuff. The La Tourtine was initially too funky for my stomach, but, it got better and better (i.e. less and less funky) with air. It was always the spicy one, but the palate slowly integrated to show potential for those who have bottles for the future.

Bravo.

I saw the word Pichon and clicked.
And was in for a surprise.

It's true that Bordeaux is best, but they do make good wines elsewhere.
Thanks for reminding me.

Alex

Lafarge was quoted (in a thread elsewhere) as saying that his 2003s would not close down and would drink well young.

Lafarge was quoted (in a thread elsewhere) as saying that his 2003s would not close down and would drink well young.

He must be a masochist with a love for tannin.

Rahsaan, I had both the 1998 and the 1988 of La Tourtine a few weeks ago. I posted a note from one of the two bottles of the 1998 here. I'll look for my note of the 1988 and maybe the other bottle of the 1998 and try to post again here if I find them.
On the whole I found both wines to be a bit on the lean side. Surely a bit meaty and funky, but not as much as I would have preferred.
Cheers, Anders

On the whole I found both wines to be a bit on the lean side. Surely a bit meaty and funky, but not as much as I would have preferred.
Cheers, Anders

Yes, the La Migoua had better fruit and was more interesting to me.