Notes from a wine lunch:
1991 Mas Daumas Gassac – dark wine with browning edges, and a raisiny ripe nose. Still shows some tannin and lots of acidity, and decent length. Now heading into decline, IMHO.
1978 Ch. Figeac – I initially discounted the possibility that this might be a 78 as it was too good! I figured possibly an 82. Classic cedar claret nose, with some plumy sweet fruit, a middle weight supple wine with some green hints and medium length. This has no business being that good – I’d had bottles 10 years ago that weren’t anywhere near as nice. In decline, but going gracefully.
1994 Caymus Cabernet (regular bottling) – ripe sweet fruit with some coconut in this nose, smooth entry, medium weight, some decent midpalate fruit and a nice long sweet finish. Pleasant but not profound.
1994 Ch. Branaire – I tasted this on release and promptly consigned it to storage for another period of years due to the tannins, but it has now softened and has a mellow fruit nose tasty with good acid and still significant tannins. It si now in balance and should be drunk.
2001 Ch. Clarke – a pleasant Listrac of no particular virtue that doesn’t get in the way of the conversation and should be drunk up.
2006 Jamet Cote Rotie – the edges were starting to fade a little, and the warm nose of black pepper lacked much floral content, but it was intense on palate, and tasty, and had a long warm finish. Good showing and it will continue to drink well for some years.
1994 Beringer Knight’s Valley Cabernet – I had this a couple of days later, but I’m posting it here as not out of place with mature company. I’d come across a half case in the cellar and decided I’d better start in on it. It is still rather dark, with a slightly smoky fruit nose, and now soft in the mouth with sweet fruit, the tannins resolved. Pleasant wine for drinking now.