2006-11-07 @ Peninsula Gaddi's Part 1

2006-11-07 @ Peninsula Gaddi’s

1981 Krug Collection Champagne X2
1997 DRC Le Montrachet X2
1988 Domaine Dujac Clos Saint Denis
1969 DRC La Tache Magnum
1953 Chateau Pichon Baron, Pauillac X2
1953 Chateau Beychevelle, Saint Julien X2
1953 Petrus, Pomerol X2
1953 Chateau Latour, Pauillac X2
1953 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Pauilllac X2
1995 Chateau Rayas, Chateaneuf-Du-Pape, Rhone X2
1961 Petrus, Pomerol Magnum
1950 Maccahipa, Massandra, The Crimea, Pink Muscat

1981 Krug Collection Champagne

1997 Domaine de la Romanee Conti Montrachet RP94

Having retasted DRC's 1997 Montrachet in March, 2000, it was apparent that my earlier assessment was both conservative in judgement and anticipated maturity dates. It reveals a straw/goldish color and loads of tropical fruit, mineral, anise, and buttered aromas. This massive, medium-to-full-bodied, and dense wine displays layers of spice, creamy super-ripe pears, creme brulee, and hints of butterscotch in its opulent flavor profile. Velvety-textured and broad, it is forward yet better balanced than originally perceived. Drink it between 2002 and 2012.

1988 Domaine Dujac Clos St Denis RP92
I think that the Clos St.-Denis actually might be the top wine from this domaine. The 1988 resembled the 1985 with its extraordinary rich, sweet, expansive bouquet of flowers, plum-like fruit, and smoky, toasty oak. In the mouth, it is fabulously concentated, gorgeously rich and long, and altogether a superb glass of red burgundy. There are some tannins in the finish, and while drinkable now, this wine should be cellared for another 1-2 years in order to round out. It should last for at least a decade. All of the Domaine Dujac wines are bottled unfiltered.

1969 Domaine de la Romanee Conti La Tache RP94

PRODUCTION: 2,017 cases. A healthy, medium to dark garnet color with considerable rust and brown at the edge is typical of a 26-year old, high class red Burgundy. A pungent, smoked duck, Asian spice, sweet, red and black fruit, caramel-like bouquet explodes from the glass. If there is ever a wine that can be said to reek of terroir, it is this 1969. From one of the more structured vintages in the last 25 years (let's hope the finest 1993s turn out this well), this fully mature, medium to full-bodied La Tache still retains some tannin. It is beautifully sweet, expansive, and rich, with complex aromatics. If the flavors deliver outstanding ripeness and complexity, the tannin in the more rustic finish is obtrusive. I would not push this wine's longevity curve any further given the fact that this example was from a magnum in pristine condition. It is a terrific La Tache that proves that in some instances, great red Burgundy can last for 25+ years.

1995 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape RP96

The 1995 is spectacular. When Emmanuel Reynaud said it was evolving quickly, in essence repudiating this vintage, I immediately drank two bottles of this glorious elixir. It does not reveal the over-ripeness of the 1990, bringing to mind a hypothetical blend of the great 1989 and 1978. Deeply-colored and still young, with black currant/creme de cassis-like characteristics, huge body, yet great structure and delineation, this is a classic Rayas that is totally different than the 1990. It should continue to improve in the bottle and may merit an even higher score. While it can be drunk now, it will be even better with 3-4 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020.

1950 Massandra Pink Muscat RP??? (below is 1940 TN)

Packaged in a thick, antique glass bottle, the 1940, which had considerable heavy sediment, revealed a slightly cloudy amber color. A spectacular nose of roasted coffee, fruitcake, spice, honey, and nuts soared from the glass. In the mouth, this wine revealed extraordinary fullness, richness, and lively, tangy acidity, which holds its considerable weight and massiveness together. The spicy, honeyed character continues in the mouth, and while there is no doubt considerable residual sugar, the zesty acidity is refreshing and uplifting. This is a provocative and compelling Muscat that must be tasted to be believed. Moreover, I suspect it will last for 20 more years. Very few bottles of this 1940 were produced, but the Pink Muscat is offered in many vintages (for example, 1895, 1914, 1915, 1918, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1927, 1931, and 1932 are still available), and I assume they would possess similar characteristics. This wine is part of the Massandra collection. Founded by Tsar Nicholas II in 1894, the Massandra Winery, on the outskirts of Yalta, on the Crimean Peninsula, supplied the royal family with fine wines while they were vacationing at their summer palace at Livadia.