WTN: I Don't Know What You Drank Tonight,

but thanks to Bob Ross, I drank a 1982 Ducru Beaucaillou.

Yesterday was my birthday, and we had an incredible dinner at The Modern, but tonight I continued the celebration by opening this gorgeous bottle. Bob was unsure of its provenance since it was acquired from a friend of his, but it was in excellent shape.

Upon opening, the cork broke about 3/4 of the way down, and then I heard a pop. I looked up at the ceiling, dreading what I might find, but there was nothing up there. It turned out the remaining cork fell into the bottle. Again, I dreaded what I might now taste, but it was beautiful. First, the nose was all cherry liqueur and roses. The color did not show its 29 years with a medium red, and the palate showed juicy acidity, with a core of plums and the appearance of figs and licorice. A deliciously long finish made me say wow, and I am so grateful for Bob's kindness in offering me this bottle.

Nice, Diane! I haven't selected the special event to open mine. I'm sure Bob will be pleased you enjoyed yours on your birthday.
Belated wishes for a happy birthday!

JuliaB

Awesome. I have some great memories of that wine ('82 Ducru is the first older Bordeaux I had that really opened my eyes to what those wines turn into with age); glad yours showed so well.

Happy Birthday!

At this point Jenise’s and your tasting notes are the only ones I read. You and your Ducru. Congratulations!, though, in having the right connections for such a treat. It doesn’t surprise me at all that it would be lovely. I drank a 1961 not too long ago that I considered transformational. Still sitting on the 1996’s, of course.

Since I don’t have the connections you have, I have very rarely had old bottles. For Lynn’s and my 40th Anniversary we enjoyed a 1966 Gruaud Larose, speaking of old St-Juliens, and the oldest St-Julien I drank was a 1959 Gloria, maybe five years ago, which was almost as beautiful as the 1961 Ducru.

Nothing tonight: I’m cooling my jets in a Philly hotel; but over the weekend, on Friday night, we opened 1995 and 1996 Gloria’s side by side to compare them. They were so beautiful that I was a little sorry we drank them, because it was my last 1995, and I have only one 1996 to go. Last night we drank a 1999 d'Armailhac, which was elegant. It’s hard for me to find a bad Bordeaux.

Nice, Diane! I haven't selected the special event to open mine. I'm sure Bob will be pleased you enjoyed yours on your birthday.
Belated wishes for a happy birthday!

JuliaB

Thanks, Julia. I had it earmarked for this weekend all along....but I had a backup, just in case. Please let us know what and when you open your bottle.

If Bob doesn't comment on this thread, I will send him an email.

but thanks to Bob Ross, I drank a 1982 Ducru Beaucaillou.

Namedropper

Sounds like a good showing. Like people say, it's what's in the bottle (and not in the cork) that counts. I've had numerous bottles where the cork would be shredded to bits or fall into the bottle and the wine was still beautiful.

Awesome. I have some great memories of that wine ('82 Ducru is the first older Bordeaux I had that really opened my eyes to what those wines turn into with age); glad yours showed so well.

A 1982 L'Evangile several years ago is what did it for me.

but thanks to Bob Ross, I drank a 1982 Ducru Beaucaillou.

Namedropper

Sounds like a good showing. Like people say, it's what's in the bottle (and not in the cork) that counts. I've had numerous bottles where the cork would be shredded to bits or fall into the bottle and the wine was still beautiful.

Funny, Mark.

I was afraid of a wine splattered ceiling when I heard the pop.

Covert - thank you for the birthday wish.

I had plans to open a 1998 Leoville Las Cases next month on our 43rd anniversary, but last night's 2001 Clos des Lambrays that I brought to dinner was so magnificent, that I will very likely drink another bottle of that and wait on the LLC.

[David M. Bueker]

Thanks for sharing Diane. There are going to be more than a few special notes in due time.

David - I look forward to reading the tasting notes on these special wines.

thanks for notes, love '82 Ducru,really like Modern, love Bob Ross.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Diane. I'm very pleased it showed well.

That Jeebus must have been a good luck charm. I think there was only one corked wine all night ... and the good luck held well.

Best, Bob

Thank you, Bob.

The empty bottle will be a keepsake from that special weekend.