So our Bordeaux met last night at Rothmann’s for a look at the 1989 Bordeaux at 25. In discussions we had decided to do this in 2 tastings, with the first geared more towards mid-tier bottlings. So a nice group of 9 got together for the opening round.
Suzanne and Bill had brought a couple of starter wines
2011 de Moor “d’autre Vallee”
A VdP. Don’t think this is Chardonnay, a more tensile experience than even nervy Chablis. Honied with an edge of sweetness, but laser acids. I like a lot. B+/A-
NV Godme Rose Champagne
I didn’t give this one much time, but liked- red fruits, chalk, nice body. B+
On to the 1989 reds, with dinner (I went healthy with spinach and tuna, most others did wedge salads and steaks). My food was good if not great, though the communal “hashbrowns” really resembled sauteed/burnt french fries.
1989 Domaine de Chevalier
I liked this, but was surprised by ripeness and amount of oak showing, I think of DDC as more elegant than opulent, this is young. B+/B
1989 Ch. Pavie Macquin
Medium bodied, soft finish, not very long. B-
1989 Ch.La Dominique
Soft compared to Figeac, plummy fruit, a little smoke. B
1989 Ch. Figeac
Herbs and olives, young, somewhat tannic, needs time but one of my faves of evening. Double-decanted in afternoon, though best at end of night B+/A-
1989 Ch. Le Gay
Ready, plush, easygoing. B
1989 Ch. La Fleur de Gay
More complete than Le Gay, floral, pretty plum fruit. B+
1989 Ch. Clerc Milon
Something weird on nose, I thought VA at first, but it seemed to blow off, a little barnyard, not very long. B-
1989 Ch. Sociando-Mallet
Earth and herbs. good black fruit, a tad roasted. B/B+
1989 Ch.Leoville Barton
Stern, big and tannic, some barnyard, firm. B+
1989 Ch.Lagrange (St. Julien)
Redder fruit, but I thought corked, and think table came round to that as well
1989 Ch. Gruaud-Larose
Plenty of Cordier funk (too much for some), brawny dark fruit, needs time. B+
1989 Ch. Cos d'Estournel
Still young, nicely balanced, ripe and smoky. Good finish, and my WOTN by a hair.
B+/A-
In our 3/2/1 voting Cos garnered 20 pts as easy winner, with Gruaud, Figeac,
DDC, Barton, LFdG, and La Dominique all getting votes. Fun night with a nice group, and enjoyed most of the wines, though I was surprised there wasn’t any one “wow” wine.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.