Limited notes were taken but wines were scored and averaged. From left to right in the picture with ranking, 1–13, in parentheses:
2023 Tablas Creek, Esprit de Tablas Blanc (#13): Though we are fans of this producer, in the company of other wines tonight, it served as a crisp and refreshing palate cleanser.
2023 Stein, St. Aldegunder Palmberg Terrassen Spätlese Trocken (#12): Nice minerality with notes of lemon-lime and a touch of greenness.
1994 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben, Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese***\* (#9): Cork disintegrated when opened 2 hrs. in advance, requiring straining. It was at first monodimensional but eventually came around with notes of pear and honey.
1983 Louis Jadot, Cuvée Charlotte Dumay Hospices de Beaune Corton Grand Cru (#6): Dark in color with powerful, fruit-driven aromas. A beautiful and broad-shouldered Corton which might continue to improve.
2004 Bodegas Faustino I, Gran Reserva (#11): Black fruit with some hints of cedar and a slight herbaceousness. Suspect this would have benefited from more air.
2001 Rafael López de Heredia, Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva (#7): This was muted and disappointing for the first 2 hrs. but then opened beautifully with cherry and other red fruits, forest floor, spice, and balsamic.
1995 Bodegas Alejandro Fernández, “Janus” Gran Reserva Pesquera (#3): This was a showstopper and WOTN for some in attendance. Explosive and complex aromas right upon opening.
2011 Massaya, Gold Reserve (#10): Quite tertiary at this stage—in a good way—with tobacco, cocoa, potting soil, and brambly fruit.
1955 Château Latour (#1): A demonstration of grace and Pauillac typicity which immediately recalled memories of other exceptional clarets of this era. Compared to the 1988 Haut-Brion, this had less horsepower but more elegance and nuance. Did not seem to change much over the night, as if it just knew what it was. A very memorable wine and WOTN overall.
1988 Château Haut-Brion (#4): Bold, complex, gorgeous… What else can I say? Tannins are fully resolved now, but I’m sure it has a long life ahead.
2010 Domaine Jean-Luc Colombo, Les Ruchets Cornas (#8): In a great spot now. Will look forward to opening our other bottles over the next few years.
1988 Château Guiraud (#5): Delicious but frankly dwarfed by the 1955 Sauternes.
1955 Château Sigalas Rabaud (#2): So energetic yet elegant. No detailed notes taken, but this seemed to be exactly as one would hope.
by Vinewanderers
7 Comments
Limited notes were taken but wines were scored and averaged. From left to right in the picture with ranking, 1–13, in parentheses:
**2023 Tablas Creek, Esprit de Tablas Blanc** (#13): Though we are fans of this producer, in the company of other wines tonight, it served as a crisp and refreshing palate cleanser.
**2023 Stein, St. Aldegunder Palmberg Terrassen Spätlese Trocken** (#12): Nice minerality with notes of lemon-lime and a touch of greenness.
**1994 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben, Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese****** (#9): Cork disintegrated when opened 2 hrs. in advance, requiring straining. It was at first monodimensional but eventually came around with notes of pear and honey.
**1983 Louis Jadot, Cuvée Charlotte Dumay Hospices de Beaune Corton Grand Cru** (#6): Dark in color with powerful, fruit-driven aromas. A beautiful and broad-shouldered Corton which might continue to improve.
**2004 Bodegas Faustino I, Gran Reserva** (#11): Black fruit with some hints of cedar and a slight herbaceousness. Suspect this would have benefited from more air.
**2001 Rafael López de Heredia, Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva** (#7): This was muted and disappointing for the first 2 hrs. but then opened beautifully with cherry and other red fruits, forest floor, spice, and balsamic.
**1995 Bodegas Alejandro Fernández, “Janus” Gran Reserva Pesquera** (#3): This was a showstopper and WOTN for some in attendance. Explosive and complex aromas right upon opening.
**2011 Massaya, Gold Reserve** (#10): Quite tertiary at this stage—in a good way—with tobacco, cocoa, potting soil, and brambly fruit.
**1955 Château Latour** (#1): A demonstration of grace and Pauillac typicity which immediately recalled memories of other exceptional clarets of this era. Compared to the 1988 Haut-Brion, this had less horsepower but more elegance and nuance. Did not seem to change much over the night, as if it just knew what it was. A very memorable wine and WOTN overall.
**1988 Château Haut-Brion** (#4): Bold, complex, gorgeous… What else can I say? Tannins are fully resolved now, but I’m sure it has a long life ahead.
**2010 Domaine Jean-Luc Colombo, Les Ruchets Cornas** (#8): In a great spot now. Will look forward to opening our other bottles over the next few years.
**1988 Château Guiraud** (#5): Delicious but frankly dwarfed by the 1955 Sauternes.
**1955 Château Sigalas Rabaud** (#2): So energetic yet elegant. No detailed notes taken, but this seemed to be exactly as one would hope.
But … those ARE dry, for the most part. Long live dry January, this is the way!
Great lineup and notes. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
chèers comrade, but,
if a 40+ years old wine still has room for improvement I’m gonna shut down this sub.
is this a repost or did i see this on twitter last night?
I think your mouth is very dry drinking all those reds
Don forget the vino Visciole!!!!