Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

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nac
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Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by nac »

Following up on a theme from the first lockdown and then the Festive period, what interesting bottles (both Port & other) are we now not sharing?

I’ll kick off with a slightly leaky bottle of Taylor 83 (drinking very nicely, despite condition) and a bottle of HdV Californio Syrah 2010 last night (which was excellent).
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hadge
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by hadge »

I have kicked off with Corton Rognet - Domaine Taupenot-Merme 2008 - still too young but was still very good and a lot of fun. Looking forward to 5 plus years for the next bottle.
winesecretary
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by winesecretary »

Beaune 1er Cru Coucherias Blanc 2012 Domaine Jean-Claude Rateau - three bottles already this year - one oxidised, two lovely lighter-weight elderflower-and-lemon scented PC whites.
Beaune 1er Cru Les Greves 2011 Maison Belles Lies - two bottles already this year, one wonderful-this-is-why-I-buy-Greves, one suffering from the randomness of low sulphur wine making - bacterial problem I think.
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeots Rouge 2009 Domaine de la Choupette, splendid plummy fruit but under decanted, would benefit from another 3 years, served to replace the second of the above.
Chorey Les Beaune 2015 Domaine Chapuis - two bottles, the first captivatingly pretty lunchtime pinot noir, disappeared in 25 minutes flat between two, second bottle lightly corked.
Vosne Romanee Champs Perdrix 2010 Domaine Audiffred - wonderful nose of mango and passion fruit, captivating after three hours in the decanter, but otherwise nowhere near ready.

Variability on pre-diam-use and pre-restoration-to-sensible-sulphur-levels burgundy is terrifyingly high - much higher than the burgundy I buy at auctions from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. I am averaging 9 good, 2 slightly off but drinkable, and 1 down the sink per case from many producers (Rateau, MBL, Chapuis included). For 2019 Burgundy EP, still using natural cork, for me, is now a I'm-not-buying-it-at-any-price issue.
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nac
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by nac »

Very pleasant bottle of Hugel “Tradition” Riesling 2005 last night. Starting to show some maturity but no rush to drink up yet.

Following up on @winesecretary’s Burgundy issues, opened two bottles of Musar 2000 over the weekend. First bottle excellent, second bottle slightly TCA impacted, and this definitely isn’t the first bottle of Musar I’ve had with this problem. Any similar experiences?
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Doggett
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by Doggett »

nac wrote: 18:08 Mon 11 Jan 2021 Very pleasant bottle of Hugel “Tradition” Riesling 2005 last night. Starting to show some maturity but no rush to drink up yet.

Following up on @winesecretary’s Burgundy issues, opened two bottles of Musar 2000 over the weekend. First bottle excellent, second bottle slightly TCA impacted, and this definitely isn’t the first bottle of Musar I’ve had with this problem. Any similar experiences?
Love a good bottle of Hugel. I often enjoy their Gentil bottling products on a hot summer day.

In the Musar front, I often have bottles that suffer from VA to a varying degree, mostly that blows off and improves with a long decant, but there has been some that are very badly affected. I have had some that have had TCA but not often and only one I can recall one that was bad enough to be undrinkable.
winesecretary
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by winesecretary »

On Musar: I am VERY tolerant of VA, I drink lots of Madeira. But even so, like Simon, I can remember a couple of bottles of Musar with VA levels that made it unpleasant to drink even after a lot of air. And, I recall one corked bottle. But this is across a sample size of maybe 10 cases over the past 20 years. 117/2/1 is a ratio I am pretty happy with.
Andy Velebil
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by Andy Velebil »

nac wrote:Very pleasant bottle of Hugel “Tradition” Riesling 2005 last night. Starting to show some maturity but no rush to drink up yet.

Following up on @winesecretary’s Burgundy issues, opened two bottles of Musar 2000 over the weekend. First bottle excellent, second bottle slightly TCA impacted, and this definitely isn’t the first bottle of Musar I’ve had with this problem. Any similar experiences?
Musar had a TCA issue with the 1999 vintage. More so with 1/2 bottles than full bottles. The rate for 750’s is far less. I’ve had well over 3 cases of this between 750’s and 375’s.

I’ve had far less 2000’s but have not experienced any issues outside the normal rate of TCA than for any other wine.
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by Doggett »

Andy Velebil wrote: 05:16 Tue 12 Jan 2021 Musar had a TCA issue with the 1999 vintage. More so with 1/2 bottles than full bottles. The rate for 750’s is far less. I’ve had well over 3 cases of this between 750’s and 375’s.
I have been lucky with the ‘99 vintage. A couple with some VA that was noticeable, like Thatcher in the 80s, but no TCA and it is a vintage that I love for Musar. It is a powerhouse and is rich in all
the Musar spices and nuance that I like. All the bottles vary but there is theme of the vintage feeling like it was unleashed, and there is no subtlety or restraint in the winemaking. It is still often available for less than £40. Get one, decant for at least 24 hours and then enjoy its evolution over a couple of days. Wine heaven!
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Alex Bridgeman
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

My lockdown drinking since 1 Jan has been quite limited and has included several days with no alcohol. Having said that though, the following have been opened:
  • Bodegas Martinez Bujanda: Conde de Valdemar Crianza 1994 - I love mature Spanish reds and find they are excellent value for money at the moment
  • William & Hinton: Moot Vermouth NV - a sweet, Christmas Pudding in a glass, version of a vermouth based on Madeira base wine
  • Cockburn 1967 - the Joanna label, a slight seep appeared so this was the first bottle of Port I opened in 2021
  • Fletcher's 40YO Tawny NV - the last of a case of six I bought from Aldi in late November
  • Graham LBV 2015 - the one I opened for our tasting on Wednesday
  • Morrison's 10YO Tawny NV - I hope they have an endless supply available; Mrs B has got through two bottles so far this year!
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
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nac
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by nac »

Vinous highlights from the last few weeks:

- Graham & Taylor LBV 15 at the virtual tasting
- 2004 Jaboulet Crozes-Hermitage “Raymond Roure” - very good, would be interesting to compare with the 2004 Thalabert
- 2002 Flor de Pingus - still excellent, but probably now past its peak
- 2011 Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne “Les Sétilles” - still drinking well, no rush
- 2003 Grand-puy-Lacoste - no rush & no noticeable 2003 burn
- 2006 Nicolas Potel Gevrey-Chambertin AC - an excellent “basic” wine
- 2004 Domaine Le Clos de Cazaux “La Tour Sarrazine” Gigondas - stood up well to a fairly vigorous Thai green curry
- 2004 Pontet-Canet - really very good, from an under-rated/forgotten Bordeaux vintage
- 2004 Grand-puy-Lacoste - better than the 03 and possibly better than the 04 Pontet-Canet - lovely spicy/savoury notes
- 2003 Groot Constantia “Grand Constance” - half bottle that was scheduled for drinking over Xmas but survived for a few weeks - amazing deep amber with nose/taste you’d swear was a top quality Sauternes

Mmmh - not much Port. Must try harder...
winesecretary
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by winesecretary »

Recent vinous highlights

- 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin 'Les Marchais', Domaine Audiffred - weightless expression of the village, the kind of wine that reminds me why I have spent such terrifying amounts of money pursuing burgundian highs over the past 25 years- and almost convinces me it's worth carrying on doing so
- 2012 Chateau Musar White - Astonishingly good with a roast chicken. Needed the three hour decant.
- 2018 Crozes Hermitage "Georges" David Reynaud, Domaine les Bruyères - wonderful richness and yet with freshness, punching well above its price
- 1986 Taylor Terra Feita - Not grand, but delicious
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nac
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by nac »

winesecretary wrote: 20:04 Tue 26 Jan 2021 - 2012 Chateau Musar White - Astonishingly good with a roast chicken. Needed the three hour decant.
Interesting to hear. Took six each of the 1992, 2000 and 2012 Musar White last year, but haven’t started them yet. Suspect it’ll be a while before I get to the 2012s.
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by Andy Velebil »

nac wrote: 12:28 Wed 27 Jan 2021
winesecretary wrote: 20:04 Tue 26 Jan 2021 - 2012 Chateau Musar White - Astonishingly good with a roast chicken. Needed the three hour decant.
Interesting to hear. Took six each of the 1992, 2000 and 2012 Musar White last year, but haven’t started them yet. Suspect it’ll be a while before I get to the 2012s.
Give the 1992's a good long decant. The Hochar's actually serve their whites after their reds, especially older ones. They are quite powerful and amazing wines.
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Alex Bridgeman
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

Since I last posted 2 weeks ago we've opened (between us, I emphasise):
  • Half bottle of Chateau Belgrave 2000 - absolutely delicious, vanished very fast
  • A bottle of the Chapel Down 2019 Sparkling Bacchus - not a wine I intend to buy any more of, now down to our last bottle
  • 50cl of Blandy's 10YO Malmsey
  • Half bottle of Croft 2004 LBV (bottled 2009)
  • Bottle of Quinta da Devesa 10YO Tawny (bottled 2019) I bought on a trip to Portugal - very good and I'll buy more when I get the chance
  • Bottle of Fonseca Guimaraens 1996 - very nice, but no rush to drink
  • Half bottle of Graham's Malvedos 1996 - wanted to compare with the FG; much younger despite the format
  • Bottle of Morrison's 10YO Tawny
  • Half bottle of Cape Promise Private Reserve Noble Late Harvest Chenin Blanc / Muscat d'Alexandre blend 2004 - underwhelming
  • Bottle of Faustino I 1982 - I love mature Rioja!
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
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JacobH
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by JacobH »

I’ve not been terribly impressed by the recent Chapel Down releases. I worry that as its popularity soars they have struggled to keep up with quality. I also think it’s a bit cheeky that their standard blend is not the champagne one (you have to buy the “Three Graces” for that) but also has some Pinot Blanc in it. The “Kit’s Coty” Blanc de Blancs is quite good, though, if a bit pricey.
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nac
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by nac »

Alex Bridgeman wrote: 15:32 Sun 31 Jan 2021
  • A bottle of the Chapel Down 2019 Sparkling Bacchus - not a wine I intend to buy any more of, now down to our last bottle
Got six of the Bacchus last year whilst it was on a very generous special offer. I’ve been quite impressed with it so far - although will admit that it is quite a Marmite grape...

Recent drinking highlights:
  • Napanook 2006 - no hurry with this, but probably at peak
  • Alion 1995 - still excellent, but not going to get any better
  • World’s End “Rocksteady” Proprietary Reserve Red 2014 - this is from JCP Maltus’ Napa estate. First bottle, quite impressed, no rush
  • Chateau Grand-Pontet 2000 - probably peaked, but no real rush to finish
  • Val di Suga, Brunello di Montalcino 2011 - excellent
  • Jacques Cacheux, Echézaux 2003 - drinking very nicely, think a few more years in bottle won’t do it any harm
  • Jaboulet Crozes-Hermitage “Thalabert” 2006 - still lovely
Port consumption still quite restrained. A bottle of the Kopke Tawny Reserve (from the pre-Xmas Waitrose offer) and a currently open Fletcher’s Ruby (which is still deeply unimpressive) are the only victims since previous update.
winesecretary
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Re: Lockdown Drinking - The Sequel

Post by winesecretary »

I am on holiday this week so there has been more wine, I am happy to report.

- Musar 2002 - in half - delicious even with only a two hour decant - if not quite with the strength of the 1999 - and a bargain 14 quid a half from Waitrose Cellar Online
- Bourgogne Cotes Chalonnaise 2017, Champs de Themis - successful chardonnay from an Aligote specialist
- Chassagne Montrachet Vielles Vignes Rouge 215, Domaine Bouard Bonnefoy - Perhaps the best wine he made that year, light lifted sappy pinot
- Saint-Romain 'Combe Bazin' 2016 Domain Vincent Perrin - Quintessential creamy white burgundy. Just delicious with some sea bass
- Tignanello 2012 - rather more backward than a bottle consumed last year, but the quality is there to drink well in 2025
- Savagnin en bois d'arnaux 2018 Domaine Pieds sur Terre - Absolutely delicious pinky-orange skin-contact wine, and an inspired pairing with olive, orange and red onion salad
- Chateau Duhart-Milon-Rothschild 1970 - The essence of restrained tertiary claret. Still some rich fruit in among the leather. 45 minute life span from opening, every sip enjoyed.
- Jaboulet Crozes-Hermitage “Thalabert” 2017 - in half - lovely cool syrah, delicious now with the cheese but with at least a decade in it
- Cossart Gordon Duo Centenary Celebration Bual - from the better, much older, bottlings. Very fine powerful sweet yet balanced stuff - after the requisite three day decant. The test sample on day one was very disappointing, sweet with a cloying quality.
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