Wine group Xmas dinner 29/12/2014 (TNB)

• Graach Josephshofer Kabinett 1983 (Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt) Lovely condition. Fairly dry, completely classic. Top
• Maximin Herrenberg 2013 spatlese (C Schmitt-Wagner) Youthfully estery. Concentrated, some sweetness but fantastic acidity. Very long.
• Leiwen Laurentiuslay Alte Reben 2013 trocken (Carl Loewen) Bone dry, steely, lots of complexity and potential. Nice length. even
• Pol Roger 1988 Mature stagnant rivers nose, bags of honey, lively mushroomy palate, very good indeed.
• Chablis Grand cru Les Clos 2007 (Christian Moreau) Cockle sheds, mineral, Chablis. Drinking nicely but with a few years it might improve further. Very good. Top
• Domaine de Chevalier blanc 1984 Rich, custard and fruit. Mouth filling. Lovely, long fruit. Bare
• Charmes Chambertin 1998 (Maume) Beautiful high-toned fragrance. Very pure. Fairly tannic with a finish that's still a touch hard, as typical for the vintage.
• Monprivato 2006 (G. Mascarello) Quite reductive on the nose. Very fine fruit with the hardness of youth. plus
• Monprivato 1982 (G. Mascarello) Excellent. Fragrant, roses, exquisite.
• Hermitage La Chapelle 1989 Faulty
• Clos St Jacques 2001 (Fourrier) Very Gevrey fruit, stylish. Quite light. Doesn't absolutely grab me.
• Chateau Climens 1990 Deep orange colour (is this normal?). Good, but this bottle a bit over-evolved - I have had much better.
• Vouvray Cuvee Constance 2005 (Huet) Luxurious, sexy, rich, lovely fruit, botrytised, intense. Lovely.
• Port style and house unclear, vintage 1912 Quite light orange. Rather lively, aniseed, port quality, I wonder what it is/was. Engaging, interesting, complex. It changes in the glass - peppermint now. Rather special.

Christmas highlights 26/12/2014 (TNB)

• Rausan Segla 1986 Classic Claret, a touch of Margaux fragrance and while this seems completely mature some of the tannins of the vintage are still in evidence - certainly not a problem with food. A decent
• Niepoort 1985 Just coming up to its 30th birthday and very pleasingly drinkable. Medium weight blueberry fruit with a touch of chocolate. Drinking well - very nice and very Niepoort. Bare