WTN: Status reports on two 98 Bordeauxs

[Jenise]

Just a note for anyone who might be holding these two wines:

A friend (whose wines are religiously well stored) had some wines leftover from a small bridge party yesterday afternoon and dropped the leftovers of these two off with us. The 98 Carraudes de Lafite had been in decanter for about eight hours and was drinking very well, a textbook middle class, middle aged Paulliac. Should hold well here and/or continue to improve.

Also in decanter for about eight hours, a 98 Quinault L'enclos tasted overripe and had some prune-y flavors on the finish. I actually own some of this which was drinking beautifully when I brought it home five years ago, and each subsequent bottle has been just a bit less interesting. The oxidative flavors on this wine last night was not much of a surprise. I'm going to move my remaining bottles into the drinking queue.

I had the Quinault a little over a year ago and thought it seemed very advanced for it's age. Haven't had a '98 Carruades but a '98 Pavillon Rouge was excellent about a 3 months ago.

Just a note for anyone who might be holding these two wines:

A friend (whose wines are religiously well stored) had some wines leftover from a small bridge party yesterday afternoon and dropped the leftovers of these two off with us. The 98 Carraudes de Lafite had been in decanter for about eight hours and was drinking very well, a textbook middle class, middle aged Paulliac. Should hold well here and/or continue to improve.

Also in decanter for about eight hours, a 98 Quinault L'enclos tasted overripe and had some prune-y flavors on the finish. I actually own some of this which was drinking beautifully when I brought it home five years ago, and each subsequent bottle has been just a bit less interesting. The oxidative flavors on this wine last night was not much of a surprise. I'm going to move my remaining bottles into the drinking queue.

My third post and second quoting one of yours. It looks like we drink some of the same wines. Thanks for the TNs.

Your 98 Quinault l'Enclos' experience is similar to mine and I am glad [unlike the earlier Le Bon Pasteur post] I have drunk most of mine although the long time open will have done it no favours. The last 2 have been going downhill. I am keeping just one for the longer term in the unlikely [but stranger things have happened] situation where the decline is reversed.

I bought a number of 98 Right Banks and the Quinault, Bon Pasteur and Grand Pontet were definite unknowns which I thought would push my boundaries in a good way. The Vieux Chateau Certan, L'Evangile, Canon La Gaffeliere and Clos de l'Oratoire are old favourites and I expect great things from the 98s.

I don't have the 98 Carruades but have started to drink the 99 with a very similar experience to yours although I wouldn't decant it for anything like 8 hours if I had a choice. This is a very nice balanced wine which at the price I paid en primeur was very good value. Fortunately I am too old to worry about the ludicrous prices that top vintage Carruades has been commanding [£1000/case] since I only ever bought wine to drink [eventually] anyway.