The remnants of tropical storm Debby had a bad forecast for my area, but it veered a bit and we only got some high winds and moderate rain. Good thing as I had an hour+ drive to a DDC vertical.I missed the oysters, but there was a nice assortment of charcuterie as we tried some whites and waited for a couple of storm delayed folks. Nice group of 10 people, 3 of whom were new to me.
1993 Luneau-Papin L d’Or Muscadet
Citrus and seashell, crisp and young , very long and complex. A-
2010 Pepiere Briords Muscadet
Tangy, floral, steely with zippy acids. B+
2008 Laville Haut Brion
Slightly oxidized on nose, ripe mango and pineapple on palate, slightly honied. Good not great. B
2002 V. Dauvissat “les Preuses” Chablis GC
Quite ripe,but with acidic backbone. Lemon, chalk, and wet rocks, B+
1994 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc (mag)
Dark color, dark flavors, oxidized, NR
2001 Ch. de Fieuzal Blanc
Hay and grapefruit, bright 01 acids. B+
1995 Domaine de Chevalier
A little lifted nose, ripe plummy fruit, cedary and complex Some Graves tobacco. Some found this too polished but I liked. B/B+
1994 Domaine de Chevalier
Tannic and lean, some liked it more, I might have liked more with a steak, B-
1990 Domaine de Chevalier
Ripe and rich, fleshy without being roasted, nice. B+
1989 Domaine de Chevalier
Herby complex and elegant, finish goes on and on, A-
Endive stuffed with lobster, tarragon, and mayo was a magical match with white Bordeaux
1989 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc
Citrus and fig, just a hint of grass, almonds and minerals. B+/A-
Blind Bdx Blanc- much darker color, nutty oxidative notes on nose, but some white fruits and almond on palate and good grip. I’m thinking its maybe from 60s/70s. 1989 Laville Haut Brion C+/B-
1988 Domaine de Chevalier
Ferric notes, bright acids, suave tannins. Smoky with red fruits and earth. B+/A-
1986 Domaine de Chevalier
I thought a little bretty but no one else got that. Tannic, a bit closed, think needs time. B for now
NV George Laval “Cumieres” Champagne (2020 base)
I liked this but took no notes
1983 Domaine de Chevalier
Young, balanced, classic. A-/B+
1979 Domaine de Chevalier
Bright, elegant, complex, deep Graves soil notes, A-
(I had another of the endive/lobster bites!)
1983 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc
Pear, almond, honeysuckle, coconut, Exotic, complex,long,. A-/A
Steak (parsley and romanesco sauces), potato salad, green salad
1975 Domaine de Chevalier
There are some dry tannins, but they’re not hard. Leather,cigar, mushrooms, Nice complete finish, B+/A-
1970 Domaine de Chevalier
This is a wine I have adored, and others loved, but I thought it was a step behind other bottles I’ve had, Delicious with dark berries and cedar, but not as long or complete as couple bottles in last couple years. B/B+
1966 Domaine de Chevalier
Tangy, exotic notes of sandalwood, cigarbox, long finish. A-
Blind bottle- very ripe, a little lactic, others liked more than I did. But quite alive. Couple of guesses of 53 or 55, 1952 La Mission Haut Brion B
A blind DDC, some guesses of 1945, but John gets 1928, Ripe, rich, tobacco and underbrush. Plenty of life left. 1928 Domaine de Chevalier A-/A
NV Emmanuel Brochet Rose, someone (John) says it drinks like a red wine. Indeed, full and powerful with deep red berry fruit, long finish, B+
Great night with great wines and great people., sorry I had to be spitting, only moderate rainfall on long drive home.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. 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.
