WTN: DP Rosé, Mouton, Musar, Yquem etc., etc.

Dinner last Monday with London wino Alino. He's usually in Manila every 2 years or so but Covid delayed his return for 7 years. Alino always brings top-notch stuff. This time DP Rosé '96 and Mouton-Rothschild '82.

Dom Perignon Rosé 1996 - Extremely young. Much better if not served too cold. Pretty color. Has quite a bit of weight on the palate. My first DP Rosé; seems a lot drier than regular DP. No hurry to drink up.

Cristom Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay 2021 - Very nice. Rich but with a balancing acidity.

Don Melchor 2021 - Unfortunately, not really a contender in this group. Can't help but compare it to the other reds. Comes out coarse, rough, and something of a brute. Not really fair, I know. Needs time to calm down. Try again in 10 years.

Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1982 - Second time to try this wine. This seemed quite shut down. Nice nose but otherwise really hard to get anything out of it. Possibly in a dumb phase or needs a really long decant.

Chateau Musar 1998 - A love it or hate it wine. The pretty light color surprised some people. Pretty sweet after an hour in the glass. Barnyard/earthy aromas. I was in the love it camp.

Navarro Cluster Select Riesling 2013 - Navarro is always good stuff, this one included. BA level sweetness. Nice and fresh due to the balancing acidity. Apples and peaches.

Chateau d'Yquem 1989 - About what you would expect. Honey, burnt sugar, candied pineapple, marmalade, etc., etc.

[Jenise]

Nice group! I loved that '98 Musar, drank my last one about two years ago. I can't imagine anyone hating it, even they don't quite 'get' it. Interesting to see a Navarro show up in your neck of the woods. They're a great producer but they are typically understated (exactly what I like about them) which doesn't win you big fans in the collector ranks. Their pinot noir roses are annual case purchases for me.

I still have a few bottles of the 98 Musar, which I’ve enjoyed a lot through the years. A little lighter than the 99, but so enchanting.

Crazy that your Mouton was shut down. I’ve never had the 82, but it sounds like the biggest wine of the vintage alongside the Latour, though I’d imagine the depth of fruit would/have balance(d) the structure.

Nice notes. I have one 99 Musar left.

Nice notes. I have one 99 Musar left.

'99 is probably my favorite Musar vintage (not that I've had a lot), followed by the '98.

Crazy that your Mouton was shut down. I’ve never had the 82, but it sounds like the biggest wine of the vintage alongside the Latour, though I’d imagine the depth of fruit would/have balance(d) the structure.

Yes, very surprised by that. I've had this once before (many years back) and that was a much better bottle.