Contentious Character

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1985

Somewhat muted and singular in character vs the '86. Reflects the solidity but lack of flair from the vintage. — 9 years ago

Bill, Eric and 21 others liked this
Eric Egan

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Just showing a but muted in it's way into tertiary? Feel like this will blossom in 5yrs time!?
Bill Bender

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It was a nice night @DAD Wine Lover
Bill Bender

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Honestly @Eric Egan i'm not clear on the stage of evolution with this one. It could have been in a bit of a dumb phase but I don't have enough experience with this vintage to be sure....I can only say that the '86 kicked it's ass and it's still ascending....the '85 appears to be headed the other direction

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2011

Beautiful wine. Thick and unctuous and a delicious spicy phenolic character. — 10 years ago

Gordon liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2003

Drinking great now. Showing a little ripeness of the vintage but balanced, with nice toasty notes and expressive earthy Pinot character. B-Day girl, Erin calls it über-yummy. I agree. — 11 years ago

Brian liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 1994

Solid. Not particularly big, with plenty of Grenache character. No brett in this one. At peak but will hold. — 9 years ago

Bollinger

La Grande Année Brut Champagne Blend 2005

Andrew Lampasone
9.5

This wine spends 9 years on the lees 70/30 Pinot noir and Chardonnay. This is all grand cru. A good amount of nutty a character with rich tree fruit. A big and rich wine with a good amount of pear and a host of nutty any yeasty character. Finish 50+. Most excellent+ — 10 years ago

Anthony, Richard and 2 others liked this

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 2003

2003 vintage. Citrus - lemon peel and ripe. Medium plus acidity and medium bodied. Little flat to me. It's not good character. Little manufactured. Lacks some concentration. More about freshness and elegance, presumably as an attempt to swerve this difficult vintage. — 10 years ago

C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España)

Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 1966

Robert Cunningham
9.2

Classic CUNE Riserva. Showing very well for a year that is not an excellent vintage. A lovely wine with food. Shows good balance and fruit and character. — 12 years ago

Greg liked this

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 2003

2003. Warm vintage perhaps created a slight raisiny character — 10 years ago

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1984

1984 Opus slightly browning but very good ruby. Opening up nose of cedar cassis Tabacco slight vanilla. Taste is definitely showing some age but expressing power of Napa. Med acid med + body. Tannins mature long finish! Very balanced!! A touch of Brett but only enough to give level of character! — 10 years ago

Jowai Lee
with Jowai
Jimmy and Alex liked this

Château Doisy-Védrines

Sauternes Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1996

Half-bottle. The wine was medium amber in colour and offered orange peel, apple, honeycomb, caramel, smoke, spices, sherry and a mouldy note on the nose. On the palate the wine showed orange, peach, apple, cane sugar, caramel, smoke, spices, creamy honey, some coffee, a hint of chocolate, sherry, mild black tea and a mouldy note, paired with medium-plus acidity, a creamy honey mouthfeel and very good length. Judged by this half-bottle the wine has just passed its plateau and started its slow journey on the downward slope. A good, medium-bodied Sauternes with lots of botrytis character. Drink now. 89 — 11 years ago