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Sunday, June 8, 2014

La Tour Haut-Brion 1979, Luigi Einaudi 1997, Bosquet des Papes Chante Le Merle V.V. 2007

Dinner with friends presented an interesting opportunity to enjoy an eclectic selection of wines.

Bruno Giacosa Extra Brut 2006 was enjoyed as an aperitif before dinner along with a selection of cheeses. .. the bird pictured is done by commission from a local artist. .. a truly unique piece. 

The Bosquet des Papes Chante Le Merle V.V 2007 was enjoyed with appetizers (tempura flash fried langoustines and spicy sauteed prawns).  This bottle is just entering into its drinking window and showed beautifully.   The ripe fruit (14.5 % alc.) was delicious. Sourced from 90+ year old vines ... surprisingly approachable for a whole cluster wine... mostly bright and tasty grenache with dollops of syrah and mourvedre...

The structure and depth of the beautiful Luigi Einaudi Barolo "normale" 1997 provided an excellent counterpoint to the Bosquet des Papes CdP.  Once again, the '97 vintage from Piedmont shines brightly. Paired perfectly with aged ribeye steaks with sauteed shrooms and a delightful ratatouille. Alluring perfume right from the start. Slow-o in bottle for 2.5 hours and then full decant with at the restaurant.  Perfectly mature fruit with intriguing complexity on the palate (13.5% alc.) and really nice balance. .... tar, tobacco, elegant fine-grained tannic structure with classic long finish. This wine definitely informs as to the proud heritage of Barolo blends... 

The La Tour Haut-Brion 1979 was a surprise finale for the evening... this was an incredibly youthful example of a 35 year old wine. Rich, dark fruit (see last photo of this wine in the glass... incredible color) with a surprisingly unctuous mouthfeel for a wine of this age.... a blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot and Cab Franc.  Classic roasted earth notes that I love so much and that are also typified in the La Mission Haut-Brion wines... a real treat to end a wonderful evening. 

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