Three great wines in the company of three esteemed gentlemen.
Chevalier Montrachet 1996, Domaine Leflaive
We opened this bottle over pre-dinner amuse-bouche of caviar and blini. It is a legendary wine that I had not tasted in a long while. The colour a wonderful light gold, showing the enticing viscosity typical of the great mature white Burgundies. On the nose: a complex pot-pourri of tertiary aromas; giving porcini and damp earth. The palate is racy, has focused minerality and offers a flavour profile ranging from ceps to lemon peel. Rich mouth feel. Enjoy now and for the next 10 years.
Grands Echézeaux 1985 DRC
With a main course of wild Atlantic salmon. This was brought straight up from the cellar and we decided to let the aromas develop in the glass over a couple of hours. Beautiful colour, just beginning to turn a burnt orange at the rim. Aromas of crushed rose petals and forest floor jumped from the glass. As we sat outside enjoying the sunset, the intensity of the nose continued to grow. The palate is rich and sweet from the warm vintage, bergamot and concasse de tomates, I wrote. The two hours in the glass did wonders for this wine. Now and for the next 5 years.
Château d'Yquem 1983 (half-bottle)
A light caramel colour showed the wine was in the best of health. A little dumb on the nose right now, but the wines from this cellar often drink youthfully. Palate exploding with orange crème brulée, honeysuckle. The sweetest of the 1980s vintages and one that I would keep for at least another 5 years.
