We had it all planned, food and wine, for New Years Eve. Illness got in the way, so we postponed. And again someone got sick so we postponed.
But last weekend we finally got to celebrate New Years Eve!
NV Brut Tradition, Ruinart
We started with two bottles of bubbly from Ruinart. This non vintage from the 60´s or 70´s (according to the seller) hasn´t got any bubbles left. The nose is round, soft and mature with notes of autumn apples, almond paste and old fudge. Still hanging in there.
The taste is dry and fine, fresher than on the nose, with notes of and dried up apple pie, red apples and gravel. A good acidity.
86p (tasted 2022/03)
1993 Dom Ruinart, Ruinart
This Blanc de Blancs offers up a cool, delicate nose with notes of oranges, ginger, candied lemons and sun warm rocks. Fresh for its age. Very, very good.
The taste is pure and refined with a cleansing acidity and notes of orange peel, dried flowers, chrushed rocks and almonds. Long and fine.
92p (tasted 2022/03)
2001 Corton Blanc, Comte Senard
What are the odds? We talked about white Burgundies as a theme but nothing more specific. What did we end up with? Three Corton´s!
The 01 Corton Blanc has a deep, strong nose with notes of grilled lemons, yellow pears, smoke and lemon fudge. Very fine. Still young.
The taste is cool, fresh and focused with notes of candied lemons, smoke, lemon cream and salt rocks. Very long and distinct. 5+ years.
93p (tasted 2022/03)
2007 Corton-Charlemagne, Michel Voarick
The first hour this just oozed cap gun smoke out of the glass. Then fine notes of candle grease, passionfruit, lemon zest and chalk emerged. Outgoing and very fine.
The taste is tight and structured with notes of smoke, dried up vanilla ice cream, mango and chalk. A silky finish with a lovely acidity. 6+ years.
93p (tasted 2022/03)
2009 Corton-Charlemagne, Bonneau de Martray
All through the evening rather restrained on the nose, with notes of ripe lemons, lots of minerals and a low keyed creaminess. Very deep.
But the taste! Firing on all cylinders with stunning fruit, acidity, balance and structure. The finish goes on for minutes. Impressive stuff. 10+ years.
95p (tasted 2022/03)
2000 Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte
A lovely open for business nose with notes of perfectly ripe black currants, sugared coffee, graphite and expensive leather. Very fine. Some maturity.
The taste is young and fresh with notes of black currant leaves, orange peel, cofffe powder and sandelwood. Very refined. Wait 3+ years for an even greater experience.
95p (tasted 2022/03)
2002 Château Haut Brion
A very nicely structured nose with an aristocratic feel and lovely notes of tobacco, tiles, red and black currants and graphite. Very, very deep and a tad laid back. Needs time.
The taste is restrained and refined with taut, polished tannins, perfect black currants fruit and a long, long finish. Very handsome. But oh so young, give this beauty 8+ years.
94p (tasted 2022/03)
2012 Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte
The 12 year younger version of SHL offers up a deep, elegant, juicy nose with notes of dark tobacco, ripe black currants, forest floor and dark chocolate. A very fine sweetness to the fruit.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of ripe black currants, dusty earth, smoke and tobacco. Chewable tannins. Needs 8+ years.
93p (tasted 2022/03)
1994 Warre´s Vintage Port
An open, sweet, lovely nose with notes of dried currants, fried nuts, bay leaves and candied orange peel. Even a hint of dry coconut. Deep and fine.
The taste is rich and rewarding with a beginning maturity and notes of damsons, assorted nuts, raspberry chocolate and pipe tobacco. Long and warm. Drinking great today but this will keep for 20+ years,
93p (tasted 2022/03)
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