What do to when the cellar needs to be downsized and you realize that you have a lot of magnums without a clear purpose (verticals or horisontals or... - I am of course the only one who goes in the cellar and notes that I have nothing to drink - "I have to have this bottle to a vertical, this bottle to this specific dinner and this bottle to a producer tasting, ad infinitum....)?
You of course invite some friends and eat and drink well. 9 persons and 16 magnums, seems about right...
Flight I
2002 Millésime, Palmer & Co
From magnum. A round, velvety nose with notes of dry sponge cake, hay, lemon cream and gravel. Very fine.
The taste is creamy and fine with notes of oranges, hay and dried flowers. A fine dry finish. Equally good on day two and three.
92p (tasted 2025/10)
2012 Millésime Grand Cru, J. Pérard
From magnum. A young, smoky nose with notes of lemon licorice, dried pineapple and chalk. Deep and fine.
The taste is tight and crisp with a high acidity, lovely yellow fruit and a long, distinct finish. Better on day two.
92p (tasted 2025/10)
NV Cuvée 747, Jacquesson
From magnum. I am a big fan of the Champagne´s from Jacquesson but something was not right with this bottle. Not corked but very tight, metallic and odd. Even more so on day two.
Not rated (tasted 2025/10)
Flight II
2001 Soave La Rocca, Pieropan
From magnum. A deep, mature nose with notes of hay, autumn apples, candle grease and dried flowers.
The taste is dry and mature with some white pepper and dried apricot notes. A soft acidity.
87p (tasted 2025/10)
2010 Langhe Rovella, Parusso
From magnum. An open, mature nose with notes of grass, spices, a petrol station in the distance and a hint of oak.
The taste is earthy and fine with notes of dried apples, chives and dry cider. A very good spicy finish. This Sauvignon Blanc sees some oak in its upbringing.
91p (tasted 2025/10)
2016 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon, Christian Moreau
From magnum. A finely layered, buttery nose with notes of lemon cream and wild flowers. A fine saline note.
The taste is stony and fresh with notes of chrushed rocks, lemon licorice and a fine warmth. Still young.
90p (tasted 2025/10)
Flight III
1986 Château Liversan
From magnum. A lovely mature Bordeaux with notes of stables, cigarr smoke, dried black currants and wet earth.
The taste is soft and mature with velvety black fruit and notes of tobacco, damsons and worn leather. Long and fine.
92p (tasted 2025/10)
1986 Château Haut-Brion
From magnum. A dark, structured nose with notes of warm tiles, tobacco, fir wood and dried black fruit. Very handsome.
The taste is tight, semi mature and very fine balanced, black fruit, tobacco, tiles and iron. Very long. Great wine.
95p (tasted 2025/10)
1986 Château de la Rivére
From magnum.A deep, plummy nose with notes of charcoal, cold coffe and tobacco. A fine warmth.
The taste is structured and fine with notes of dried plums, tobacco and autumn leaves. Long and fine.
88p (tasted 2025/10)
Flight IV
2004 Barolo Arione, Gigi Rosso
From magnum. Now Roberto owns Gigi Rosso´s part of Arione but back in the days Gigi Rosso turned out fine wines from this MGA, which this 2004 is proof of. The nose is semi mature and outgoing with notes of dried strawberries, cherries, licorice and rosehips.
The taste is nicely balanced and elegant with sweet fruit, soft tannins and a long, warm, creamy finish. Very fine.
92p (tasted 2025/10)
1999 Barolo Le Rocche di Falletto, Bruno Giacosa
From magnum. A tight, complex nose with notes of roses, ripe red cherries, Langhe earth and leather. Lovely.
The taste is racy and refined with gorgeous fruit, polished tannins and a long, forest filled finish. Still young, 6+ years.
94p (tasted 2025/10)
2004 Barolo Cannubio, Francesco Rinaldi
This bottle have suffered from heat somewhere along the line. Too bad.
Not rated (tasted 2025/10)
Flight V
2005 Barolo Bricco Pernice, Elvio Cogno
From magnum. A high, perfumed nose with notes of ripe cherries, paint, flowers and gingerbread dough. Complex and fine.
The taste is rich and focused with notes of sweet/sour cherries, licorice and rosehips. A long, structured finish. 5+ years.
94p (tasted 2025/10)
2007 Barolo Marenca, Luigi Pira
From magnum. A deep, stony nose with notes of fresh flowers, cherries and a touch of mint. Very fine.
The taste is concentrated and handsome with stern tannins and notes of hard cherry candy, dried flowers and violets. A very fine structure. 7+ years.
93p (tasted 2025/10)
2010 Barolo Bussia, Silvano Bolmida
From magnum. A restrained, layered nose with notes of tobacco, dark cherries, veal stock and Langhe earth. Very fine.
The taste is broad shouldered and taut with rich tannins, a very fine cherry fruit and a long, long finish. This will need 10+ years in the cellar, at least from this format.
93p (tasted 2025/10)
Flight VI
Old World Selected Tawny Port, Kopke
A fragile, mature nose with notes of milk chocolate, dried nuts and paint.
The taste is medium bodied and medium sweet with notes of sugared coffee, chocolate and fried nuts. A hint of alcohol in the finish.
85p (tasted 2025/10)
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