Bourgueil Cuvée Prestige 1989 - Domaine des Chesnaies, Lamé-Delisle-Boucard - Alc. 12%. Fading compared with a bottle about a year ago. Colour was transparent with bricking at the rim. The nose went through two phases; at first fine gently sweet red fruit with pencil shavings and a dash of fine tea, then a metallic streak obscured the rest. The palate was medium/light bodied with initially the attractive aromas from the nose continuing, soft textured, smooth, even a touch bland, but later the finish hardened leaving a dry bitter after-taste. On the way down; 14.5/20+.
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru Clos de la Boudriotte 1996 (R) – Domaine Ramonet – Alc.13.5% was also medium/light bodied but in much better shape than the previous (and also than most of its white brethren) with some ethereal and complex fruit, minerals and lively but non-aggressive 1996 acidity and decent length. Overall an elegant Burg; 16/20.
Cahors Malbec 2008 – Métairie Grande du Théron – Alc.13% - (c.€6) – was another QPR hit from Cahors at our local supermarket. Perhaps a bit fuller than Croze de Pys but with similar mineral, anise, herb and tar notes; 15.5/20 QPR!
Chablis 1er cru Montmains 2007 – William Fèvre – Alc.13% - was an absolute beauty with all that I look for in a youngish Chablis; appetising minerals yet quite suave, white fruit, a slight undertow of fat and crisp acidity, all beautifully focussed, and with good length; 17.5/20.
Chianti Classico Riserva 2001 – Fèlsina, Beradenga – Alc.13.5%. This wine has always been excellent since I first met it in a Tuscan pizzeria in 2006. It seems just as lively now, medium/full bodied with a shade more complexity and depth than then and showing typical savoury fruit, tangy acidity and a dab of noble oil a on the well structured finish; 16.5/20.
.