Dinner with some nice people down from Sydney for the weekend -
Taittinger Comte de Champagne 1995 - youthful colour, terrific small beading, gorgeous effusive, yet delicate, yeasty nose, very fine and fluffy in the mouth holding a great line, lovely acid balance, long - brilliant aperitif style, beguilling & feminine - drink now and for the next several years - 93
Les Chablisienne Chablis Grand Cru "Preuses" 1995 - classy Chablis, multidimensional in nuance with a typically tight structure housing a vein of calciferous minerality, excellent length - lost a just little definition and focus with extended breathing, hence a drink soonish proposition. 92
Comte Armand Pommard 1er Cru "Clos des Epeneaux" 1996 - Excellent deep colour, reticent nose that came up well in the glass with time - plums, cherries, a little savoury oak with just a hint of sweet earth - followed by a slightly four-square palate with complimentary acidity and firmish tannins, reasonably long finish - just lacked some "wow" factor. Should improve marginally over the next several years but will never be great. Very good/Excellent 88
Mount Mary Cabernets 1991 - mature hue, classic "Bordeaux" blend nose of cedar, herbs, damp earth, blackcurrant and autumn leaves. Whether this saw a little too much air in the decanter, I did notice a slight composty/almost cabbagy/leafy character coming through towards the end of my glass. Very elegant and rounded in the mouth with a similar deterioration of the initial cassis and cedary flavours with time. Soft tannins. Otherwise, Excellent. Drink now or over the next few years 90
Antinori Tignanello 1995 - This sensational Sangiovese/Cabernet blend shone through like a beacon in a fog compared to the two previous reds. Youthful dark colour, strong primary aromas of blackberry, currants, cedar and violets. Quite full and concentrated palate with a distinct savoury character in the lengthy aftertaste. My first hit out with this wine and very pleased to have done so. Solid but forgiving tannin structure. Needs another 3-5 years and should drink for several thereafter. 93