31/08/1999 (RJB)

• Mullheimer Helenkloster Riseling Auslese 1983, Max Ferd. Richter Not showing its age, but perhaps a touch too sugary for perfect balance. Reasonable acidity.
• Saint Aubin 1er Cru 1985, Caves Reunis du Convent des Cordeliers Both times I've had this wine (both times blind - the first time a few years back), I have thought it much younger (five years of age or so). The fruit is still in evidence, but slightly muted; the colour is fresh. Never a great wine, but it doesn't seem to evolve very quickly.
• Fleurie 1997, Les Roches du Vivier, Domaine Berrod Reasonable, correct Beaujolais.
• Quinta des Setencostas 1998, Allenquar Good gutsy Portuguese for easy glugging.
• Alta Mesa 1998, Estremadura Rough plonk.
• Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 1997, Barone Cornacchia Good, juicy, violet-scented red with goodish balance (too much sweetness?).

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Gang of Three - Champagne and Rhoneish Red 26/08/1999 (RJB)

• Charles Lafite 1985 Brut Vanilla nose, turning to liquorice. Restrained, softish finish with fizz disappearing at end.
• Lanson 1983 Brut Slightly stinky to start with, but good acidity and the stinkiness disappeared. Mineral edge. (88.67)
• De Venoge Millesime 1989 Quite soft style with reasonable acidity at the finish.
• Gigondas 1996, Domaine Santa Duc This seemed New Worldy with a slight mintiness. Quite good, but now knowing what it is it should have been better perhaps..
• Edmund St John 1991, Les Cotes Sauvage Too much age (and I thought this wine would age quite well a few years back), cabbagey and with a bitter finish.
• Prieure de St-Jean de Bebian 1995, Coteaux de Languedoc Quiet on the nose - not much going on, but then fresh curranty fruit after some time in the glass.
• Cote Rotie 1989, Guigal Classy Rhone and very obviously a Guigal Cote Rotie (although I was one year out on the vintage). possibly more
• Ridge Monte Bello 1989 Good solid wine, although I seem to have failed to make notes!

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Wine dinner at EMcC's 21/08/1999 (TNB)

• Billecart-Salmon 1989 Fatish for Billecart - the vintage I guess, good, not for keeping.
• Meursault Charmes 1957 (Hospice) Brownish, maderised but still interesting in some ways after a while in the glass.
• Ried Loibenberg Riesling Federspiel 1997 (Knoll) Racy, long. I can see the appeal of Wachau wines, but they are not cheap. Impressive I think, but I'd like to try a 10 year old to see how this develops. Say
• Clos St Urban Rangen riesling 1989 (Zind-Humbrecht) Good acidity for the big, slightly anonymous, fat style. Impressive of course, but built more for show-winning than for drinking.
• Gevrey-Chambertin St Jacques 1990 (Esmonin) Pure, not quite excellent, but lovely raspberry fruit.
• Pommard 1981, Lejeune Good fruit, concentrated, tannic. Very good effort. Finish is stalky and very austere - one could fear for the future.
• Pommard 1962, Lamarche Very smoky, delicious, fragrant. If one is going to carp, then the appeal is a little one-dimensional.
• Niederhauser Hermannshohle Spatlese 1985 (State Dom) Honeyed, but maturing quickly. Pretty good.
• Bernkasteler Doktor spatlese 1981 (Deinhard) Very creamy, nice, good length.
• Warre 1966 Frighteningly unevolved, typical sweetish palate.

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18/08/1999 (TNB)

• Riesling 1997, Homage a Jean Hugel (Hugel) From a half. Intended as a prestige cuvee, I assume from the price. Rich, near VT concentration but dryish, balanced and fragrant. Might be rather yummy in a few years.
• Chardonnay 1990 (Dom Ribbonet) South of France job - quite cheap a few years ago. Seems to have aged almost gracefully, but a shade past its best now.
• Riesling Clos Hauserer 1988 (Zind-Humbrecht) Aggressively petroly. I'm not very keen.

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12/08/1999 (TNB)

• Tokay Kitterle 1989 (Schlumberger) Almost peachy - good length, reasonable acidity. Drinking well just now - I wonder what the future holds?

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Dinner at MD'S 10/08/1999 (TNB)

Some samples, etc, from Spain, and dinner:

• Palo Cortado Viejo (Hidalgo) From a barrel of age unknown to the maker - super, green rim, subtle, long.
• Cabernet Sauvignon Vallcorba 1991 Herby, dry, med weight, good length, fairly serious. Lean.
• Cabernet Sauvignon 1995 (Dehesa del Carrizal) High-toned but ripe, good acidity. Rather good.
• Rioja Marques de Vargas 1994 Big, some new oak, rich ripe fruit. Very good new style.
• Pagos Viejos Reserva 1995, Rioja (Artadi) Not so forthcoming on nose, but very fine and balanced. Excellent. Apparently all this estates wines are worth watching. I can believe it!
• Rioja San Vicente 1995 Less fine, slightly rougher. Possibly a bit "confected".
• Rioja reserva Roda I, 1995 Quite an oaked-up, modern job. I can see the appeal, but it's not quite my scene. Sells for serious money, apparently.
• Matarromera 1994 RDD Reasonably concentrated, capsicumy fruit - a shade simple though.
• Briego RDD Reserva 1995 Burgundian, herby, long. Rather good. (Same wine as below.)
• St Aubin Chatenierres 1995, M. Colin Nice, straight-down-the-line burgundy. At least
• Barbaresco Sori Paitin 1985 Elia Strong, old-fashioned, tannic, intellectual stuff. Good.
• La Fleur Petrus 1982 A bit dull, though young looking and well-coloured. Disappointing when you know what it is.
• Lynch Bages 1982 Pencily classic claret, but no real punch and a shade soft. I was surprised when this was revealed: my memory is of a sexy blockbuster. Only for me on this showing.
• Offley 1985 Rich blackberry fruit. Hints of chocolate. Very good indeed.

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07/08/1999 (TNB)

• Wehlener Sonnenuhr auslese halbtrocken 1988 (S.A. Prum) Pleasant for a "trocken", drinkable rather than great.
• Ch. de Monthelie 1987 (Suremain) Time to drink - nicely mature basic village wine.
• Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr spatlese 1989 (F. Haag) Lovely acidity, fine fruit. What a great grower!
• Bandol 1985 (Ch. Pradeaux) Drinking nicely now. Provencal herbs.

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