Yesterday, I had the tremendous pleasure of joining 8 other wine lovers at NYC's fabulous restaurant, 11 Madison Park. I am humbled by the extreme generosity of the attendees. I did not take notes, but certain traits of each wine have stuck in my mind.
Prior to the reds, we opened a 2000 Raveneau Butteaux - I last had this wine a little over four years ago, and it was shockingly bright and acidic and caused wows at the table. Last night, it had toned down and had become delicate and silky. My only disappointment was an abrupt finish. It had more on the nose than the palate, but still it was lovely.
Next was a flight of Ducru Beaucaillou - 1966 - talk about wows, this caused a universal one. The color was still ruby, it showed leather and tobacco with still some dark fruit lurking. I had low expectations for this one, but it was amazingly fresh. 1983 - nothing to write about as it paled in comparison and I couldn't put down the 1966. 1996 - I was anxious to sip this one as Covert Harris keeps taunting me (in a friendly way) with his lone bottle. Covert, if you are reading this, save it, as it still needs time. The 1966 overshadowded both of these bottles.
A visitor from LA brought a lone Cali Cab - 1996 Harlan- this is not a fruit bomb and, while we served it on its own, it could easily fit into a Bordeaux flight. In a word, gorgeous. I kept my glass of it for the duration of dinner, planning to drink it with my steak entree... and I would have, if it were not for the next flight. 1982 L'Evangile - great structure, ripeness, silkiness, and oh, so seductive. 1982 Leoville Barton -some acidity stuck out, but still thick, tannic, and structured, but it couldn't compete with L'Evangile. 1990 Cos D'Estournel - classic cigar box aromas, but a little austere. 1990 Lynch Bages- massive, a good dose of chocolate, dark fruit, leather - very classy, very delicious.
Onto some young 'uns - 1998 La Mission Haut Brion - lead pencil, raspberries, great mouthfeel, and great potential. 1999 Palmer - not as structured as La Mish, but lucious with dark fruit and minerals. Very nice. 2000 Conseillante - tremendous structure and tannins, black cherries, roasted meat, and needs lots of time.
We finished with a 1999 Rieussec - I've enjoyed this Sauternes before and the softness, without being cloyingly sweet, is what impresses me. It was the same last night, and a good way to end.
