Festive Drinking 2021

nac · Post by **nac** » 17:58 Fri 17 Dec 2021

As I’m currently sat at home self-isolating and looking for things to do, thought it might now be an opportune moment to continue the age-old tradition (this is the 3rd year) of some chat about what we’re all drinking (Port and otherwise) over the festive period.

I’ll kick off with a dinner at 67 Pall Mall last Saturday with some ex work colleagues that we’ve been having every Xmas for a number of years. One of the attendees recently had a 60th birthday, so we had something special to mark the occasion.

The festive line-up was:
Moët et Chandon Brut Imperial 1961 (magnum, disgorged 2003)
Gosset “Fine & Rare Wines Selection 2nd Edition” 2006 (magnum)
Coto de Imaz Grand Reserva Rioja 1985 (magnum)
Coto de Imaz Grand Reserva Rioja 1987 (magnum)
Tentative di Trinoro, Le Cupole 2007 (double magnum)
Sauternes 2009 (actually declassified d’Yquem, but doesn’t say so on the label)
Croft 1975 (magnum, recently? released library stock)

Star was the Moët, but really enjoyed the Le Cupole (and no rush with that). The Croft was lovely but wasn’t recorked on release, so take care if you’ve got any of these, as the cork was a bit loose.

So, what else are we enjoying or planning to enjoy?

rich_n · Post by **rich_n** » 18:15 Fri 17 Dec 2021

Ah mate, you too? I'm awaiting a PCR but pretty certain it'll come back positive.

Provided I can get to my parents on Christmas Day, I'll take the following with me:

1985 Dow
1981 Kopke Colheita

Plus some standard prosecco.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 19:40 Fri 17 Dec 2021

No decisions yet about the festive season but by golly last night's lineup was something

1904 Cockburn
1920 Graham
1920 Taylor
1936 Malvasia
c1940s Unknown
1947 Smith Woodhouse
1947 Cockburn
1955 Graham
1960 Sandeman (1)
1960 Sandeman (2)
1960 Warre
2005 Declassified Sauternes
2015 Graham LBV

Justin K · Post by **Justin K** » 22:50 Fri 17 Dec 2021

winesecretary wrote: ↑19:40 Fri 17 Dec 2021 No decisions yet about the festive season but by golly last night's lineup was something

1904 Cockburn
1920 Graham
1920 Taylor
1936 Malvasia
c1940s Unknown
1947 Smith Woodhouse
1947 Cockburn
1955 Graham
1960 Sandeman (1)
1960 Sandeman (2)
1960 Warre
2005 Declassified Sauternes
2015 Graham LBV

What a great lineup

I have only had the C47, G55, W60 and the G15LBV. Fond memories of several half bottles of the Cockburn’47; how was it?

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 23:35 Fri 17 Dec 2021

@ JustinK - on this evidence, on the down slope. The fruit had gone, but what was left was still jolly interesting drinking. Overall, I slightly preferred the 04 (this sounds like dreadful showing off, but neither were my bottle, and I really did).

Post by **jdaw1** » 12:20 Sat 18 Dec 2021

Just decanted an N70 to drink with a London friend. And a half of Qv03 ʟʙᴠ. Plus, not decanted, Coates & Seely ɴᴠ.

MigSU · Post by **MigSU** » 14:24 Sat 18 Dec 2021

Two and a half bottles of Porto for two people sounds like a well spent evening.

nac · Post by **nac** » 17:54 Sat 18 Dec 2021

winesecretary wrote: ↑19:40 Fri 17 Dec 2021 2005 Declassified Sauternes

I’m guessing this is the same as the 09 I had? Has been available on & off for a number of years, usually via Bordeaux Index.

nac · Post by **nac** » 17:56 Sat 18 Dec 2021

Tonight, Dujac AC Morey-Saint-Denis 2010 and Palmer 2013 LBV (which will hopefully last a few days).

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 18:49 Sat 18 Dec 2021

A mystery tonight - dinner with a wine merchant. He is a burgundy specialist but his last text says he was opening a bottle of port...

nac · Post by **nac** » 18:56 Sat 18 Dec 2021

winesecretary wrote: ↑18:49 Sat 18 Dec 2021 A mystery tonight - dinner with a wine merchant. He is a burgundy specialist but his last text says he was opening a bottle of port...

Sounds intriguing. Dinner for me tonight is by myself (again) and the same until Christmas Eve. Deep joy.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 15:21 Mon 20 Dec 2021

A few weekend bottles with friends

Bourgogne Blanc 2014 Domaine Albert Joly - I realised with shock I hadn't had any white burgundy for almost a fortnight, and this was an emergency remedy for that failure. Lovely white flowers on the nose. Sylvie Joly is truly splendid winemaker, the wines are never too fat.
Bourgogne Rouge 2015 Maison Leroy - far too young on its own, but splendidly fruited with faggots and mushy peas; blind I would have had it as a Volnay; the rest of the half case will go away for 5 years
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeots 2014 (rouge) Domaine de La Choupette - a pretty cherry-scented vintage of this sometimes austere wine, fully ready now, but no hurry
Bourgogne Rouge Felettig 2013 - still pleasurable but getting long in the tooth with slightly wayward acidity
Bollinger NV en demi - slightly anonymous with roast trout
The two ports of the weekend were Churchill 1982 and Churchill Crusted Bottled 1985 - on both of which I have reported elsewhere - still have a half of the first in the 'fridge

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 16:55 Mon 20 Dec 2021

@ nac - the 2005 Sauternes was indeed the declassifed nudge-wink. It was a little late in the evening for me to take much notice of it, I am afraid. I do not recall it being more than 'rather pleasant' but that was in the context of the best evening of port of my life.

And, I envy you the consumption of that splendid magnum of Moet '61.

nac · Post by **nac** » 22:36 Mon 20 Dec 2021

Last night, Chateau de la Rivière 2003.
Tonight, Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva Rioja 2006.

Port_funghifoodie · Post by **Port_funghifoodie** » 07:47 Tue 21 Dec 2021

A friend and I were out last week. We went back to his flat where he suddenly announced ‘I’ve got something that only you would appreciate…’ He opened one of those Waitrose 2017 vintages by Quinta de la Rosa. I said he was best leaving it but he was pretty insistent. Luckily it had been upright all day (he was planning well!) and we had a few snifters. Lovely drop, red wine nose but couldn’t help thinking if it should have been hidden in a dark place for a few years.

I’m opening a Guimaraens 2004 which I bought from the Vintage Port co at the start of the year.

Port_funghifoodie · Post by **Port_funghifoodie** » 07:48 Tue 21 Dec 2021

I meant it should have been hidden away for a few more years rather than opened so early.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 09:19 Tue 21 Dec 2021

@ Port_funghifoodie - We, but more commonly our transatlantic cousins, sometimes drink vintage port young 'on the fruit' and, while in a sense it is 'not how it's intended to be drunk', the vinous quality to which you refer is very attractive and does have me popping the odd 2017 cork.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 20:20 Tue 21 Dec 2021

Bernardus 1997 Carmel Valley Merlot. Probably a bit above the advertised 12.9% but smooth and mellow and fully mature with a lovely balance. A delight with a veal and pork ragu and some pennette.

nac · Post by **nac** » 21:02 Tue 21 Dec 2021

Curry accompanied by Jim Barry’s McRae Wood Shiraz 2012. Excellent, but possibly still some development potential.

Doggett · Post by **Doggett** » 21:36 Tue 21 Dec 2021

nac wrote: ↑21:02 Tue 21 Dec 2021 Curry accompanied by Jim Barry’s McRae Wood Shiraz 2012. Excellent, but possibly still some development potential.

Was that a Waitrose purchase? I picked up some of those as a bin end a few years ago and agree that they were lovely wines that I may have got more out of if I had kept for the long haul.

nac · Post by **nac** » 22:50 Tue 21 Dec 2021

Doggett wrote: ↑21:36 Tue 21 Dec 2021
nac wrote: ↑21:02 Tue 21 Dec 2021 Curry accompanied by Jim Barry’s McRae Wood Shiraz 2012. Excellent, but possibly still some development potential.
Was that a Waitrose purchase? I picked up some of those as a bin end a few years ago and agree that they were lovely wines that I may have got more out of if I had kept for the long haul.

En primeur purchase from Laithwaites. Generally a fan of the Jim Barry shiraz, especially The Armagh.

Post by **flash_uk** » 12:45 Wed 22 Dec 2021

A few things that will get consumed in the coming week:

NV Nyetimber Clasic Cuvee
NV Chapel Down Brut
2012 Morey St Denis Dujac Fils et Pere
2014 Chassagne Montrachet Les Mazure - Domaine Paul Pillot
2014 Chassagne Montrachet Les Battaudes - Agnes Paquet
2015 Gevrey Chambertin "Vielle Vignes" Chateau de Laborde
2016 Marques de Murrieta Rioja Reserva

1966 Warre
1967 Cockburn

nac · Post by **nac** » 18:50 Wed 22 Dec 2021

Tonight, Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso “Il Bruciato” 2018.
For the virtual tasting a 50cl of Fonseca 10 Year Old Tawny (bottled 2021).

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 20:07 Wed 22 Dec 2021

@nac - the first sounds young!

This evening -

- Manhattan made with Whistlepig 10
- 2014 Gevrey Chambertin 'Les Marchais' Domaine Audiffred - very pretty, but not with the curried lamb...

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 22:09 Wed 22 Dec 2021

My drink for the virtual tasting was UK Bottled bottle of Crusted Port from an unknown shipper (but from the taste my guess would be Dow) where the bottle suggested it was filled in the early '80s.

And it was just delicious.

Apart from that, my drinking has been very ordinary. But I have just taken delivery of some 1989 Mas La Plana...

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 21:31 Fri 24 Dec 2021

Yesterday

Pataille Aligote Pepe 2019 - nice salinity but the broader notes on the mid palate while interesting are not to my taste on their own. Great with tuna steak with salsa verde though.
Rombauer Le Meilleur du Chai 2002 - a 'hot mess' as the WB crowd would put it. Straight in the freezer for ragu.
PJA Crozes Thalabert 2017 - a welcome coolness after the Rombauer.

Today
l'Etrange Maison Belle Lies 2016 - a touch of VA, but lovely when it warmed up
Florent Garaudet Aligote 2017 - same salinity as Pataille, narrower and more herbaceous on palate, more to my taste as an aperitif.
Ridge Geyserville 2018 - utterly delicious with chipotle chicken
TV91 incoming. Hurrah.

MigSU · Post by **MigSU** » 22:33 Fri 24 Dec 2021

Season's greetings to everyone!

My liquid meal for tonight:

- Anselmo Mendes Parcela Única 2013
- Quinta da Leda 2011
- Quinta das Tecedeiras VP 2003

nac · Post by **nac** » 23:33 Fri 24 Dec 2021

Tonight, Dominus 2005, and started a Cockburn 1970.

rich_n · Post by **rich_n** » 18:14 Sat 25 Dec 2021

Today has been an enjoyable selection:

- NV Tattinger Reserve
- 1985 Dow
- 1981 Kopke Colheita

Merry Christmas!

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 19:35 Sat 25 Dec 2021

Today also v. fine.

Henri Boillot 1976 Volnay - dubious due to slipping cork - DOA
Robert Mondavi 1975 Pinot Noir - absolutely singing, with blood and iron and new world character but mature and with structure and frankly the most interesting thing I've drunk all week.
More of the lovely violet-scented TV91 opened yesterday.
Alain Gras 2018 Saint Romain Rouge - a solaire vintage but for Saint Romain rouge that's a good thing, it's rich, ripe and fruity.
Felettig Echezeaux 2012 in the decanter for the pheasant.

Merry Christmas indeed!

Post by **jdaw1** » 20:50 Sat 25 Dec 2021

winesecretary wrote: ↑19:35 Sat 25 Dec 2021Felettig Echezeaux 2012 in the decanter for the pheasant.

Despite this seemingly so good, I don’t think the pheasant will much enjoy it.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 21:42 Sat 25 Dec 2021

Your point taken. Pheasant (conventionally deceased, from Ginger Pig) not partaking of said wine. Wine was splendid, almost justifying the 105 quid a bottle I paid for it in 2014 just as burgundy prices were ascending into the stratosphere.

Two of the cats (Benjy the cheerful orange idiot, and T3 (the Tubby Tabby Terror)) are REALLY enjoying some bits of leftover pheasant though.

nac · Post by **nac** » 15:59 Sun 26 Dec 2021

Christmas Day
Perrier Jouet, Belle Époque, Blanc de Blancs 2002
Domaine Vincent Girardin, Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet 2007
Cloudy Bay, Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Quinta Vale D. Maria, Douro 2015
Remains of Cockburn 1970

Boxing Day
Gusbourne, Blanc de Blancs 2016
Remains of whites from previous day
Ridge, Lytton Springs 2010
Remains of Cockburn 1970

Christopher · Post by **Christopher** » 16:22 Sun 26 Dec 2021

Niepoort Robustus 2005
Dow 1966
Very old brandy bottled I think in the 40’s in a bottle much older I would say late 1800’s - bubbly glass- from a mixed lot.

MigSU · Post by **MigSU** » 18:44 Sun 26 Dec 2021

nac wrote: ↑15:59 Sun 26 Dec 2021 Christmas Day
Perrier Jouet, Belle Époque, Blanc de Blancs 2002
Domaine Vincent Girardin, Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet 2007
Cloudy Bay, Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Quinta Vale D. Maria, Douro 2015
Remains of Cockburn 1970

Boxing Day
Gusbourne, Blanc de Blancs 2016
Remains of whites from previous day
Ridge, Lytton Springs 2010
Remains of Cockburn 1970

That Vale D. Maria, was that the Douro DOC or the VP?

Oh, never mind, you wrote "Douro", so I'm assuming the Douro DOC. Excellent wine.

hadge · Post by **hadge** » 18:58 Sun 26 Dec 2021

it has been an interesting Christmas at my in-laws with me having to supply the wine for the group, i will finish with the highlight comments on some of the wines,

Christmas eve
Pol Roger 2012 Rose
Domaine Coche-Bizouard, Meursault "Les Chevalieres" 2018
Domaine des Lambrays Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru Les Loups 2004
Quinta do Noval 1963

Christmas Day
Krug (latest release)
Domaine de Montille, Meursault "Saint Christophe" 2017
Chateau Latour 'Les Forts de Latour' 1978
Taylor's 1977

Boxing Day
Pol Roger 2013
Domaine de Montille, Meursault "Saint Christophe" 2017
Chateau Leoville Poyferre 1989
Balance of Taylor's 1977

A few highlights of the comments made,

My wife, Novel 63, one sip this tastes like calpol (wondered if we could have this added to The Book JDAW?)
Granny in-law, Meursault is just Meursault, with a further comment of I love all Meursalt as it is the same
Granpa In-law, The champagne is like lemonade!

Father in-law to other daughter, Noval 63, this is the finest port you will ever drink in your life time.

A tough crowd!

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 19:17 Sun 26 Dec 2021

That's some serious wine, Harry!

The F-I-L to O.D. comment sounds like a challenge. Next year, a '55 perhaps?

Post by **jdaw1** » 19:19 Sun 26 Dec 2021

winesecretary wrote: ↑19:17 Sun 26 Dec 2021The F-I-L to O.D. comment sounds like a challenge. Next year, a '55 perhaps?

He did not seem like the tough crowd. Perhaps he could be treated to one of the nine N31s.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 19:20 Sun 26 Dec 2021

Today:

Aloxe-Corton 2017 Maison en Belle Lies en aperitif.
Chateau Ausone 1990 decanted to go with the boned rolled sirloin which I've just put in to roast.
Fonseca 1977 to go with the cheese.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 19:22 Sun 26 Dec 2021

Neil, how was the Girardin BBM07?

nac · Post by **nac** » 22:26 Sun 26 Dec 2021

winesecretary wrote: ↑19:22 Sun 26 Dec 2021 Neil, how was the Girardin BBM07?

Excellent. Ready, not falling off a cliff. Equally good on second day. A small glass remains for tomorrow.
3rd bottle of 6.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 22:45 Sun 26 Dec 2021

Fonseca 1977 didn't work with the cheese.

Musar 2002 substituted.

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 10:50 Mon 27 Dec 2021

Some very enviable selections of wine being drunk on this thread!

Have managed to have quite a selection of fortified wines this year.

Staying in a pub on 23rd, we found they had the Graham’s Six Grapes, 10-Year-Old Tawny, and White on their pudding menu with 10cl servings in branded glasses. I haven’t see that before. I had the Six Grapes since I haven’t drunk that for years. I presume the glass I had was the end of the bottle since it included some sediment but it was still quite fresh. I wonder if Fells are trying to sort out their Port-in-pubs offering? Good news if they are.

On Christmas day we had a Gilbert 1985 which I bought recently. Quite a light Port it is in a very good place for maturity at the moment. I really enjoyed it. Then a bottle of the Churchill’s 20 Year Old Tawny which was excellent.

Also some Moscatel do Douro from Quinta do Portal called “Mural de Favaios”. Just their basic one, I think, but very enjoyable: not fearsomely or sickly sweet but quite floral an enjoyable. Would have this again.

Then some bits an pieces including a very good supermarket Oloroso and a glass of Pineau des Charentes which was curiously hiding in the desert wine section of a restaurant but made an excellent aperitif.

nac · Post by **nac** » 11:45 Mon 27 Dec 2021

winesecretary wrote: ↑19:20 Sun 26 Dec 2021 Today:

Aloxe-Corton 2017 Maison en Belle Lies en aperitif.
Chateau Ausone 1990 decanted to go with the boned rolled sirloin which I've just put in to roast.
Fonseca 1977 to go with the cheese.

Did the Ausone perform suitably?

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 11:54 Mon 27 Dec 2021

@ nac - It did. WOTD. Went splendidly with the beef and on its own afterwards. Proper old school structured claret. Still needs a three hour decant. Was 1990 the last great vintage for such wines? To discuss. Possibly the 1996s but they have mostly never really spoken to me. Some would take it as late as 1998 on the left bank, but not for me a great vintage.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 19:38 Mon 27 Dec 2021

27th -

Bourgogne HCDB 2016 Chapuis & Chapuis. Corked. Again. Use DIAM, chaps, FFS.
Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise, Les Champs de Themis 2017. Delicious pre-prandial, like Bourgogne Blanc used to be.
Ronan by Clinet 2012 - demi opened for cooking purposes - saucisse au lentilles. But tastes pretty good.
Periquita 1966, Jose Maria de Fonseca - to be opened shortly. I have high hopes.
The rest of the F77, later.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 19:53 Mon 27 Dec 2021

Churchill '82 - what a tease this wine is! Once my textbook example of a vintage port that was best before the age of 40 - but now firing on all cylinders to spite me!

Graham '83 - good colour, light-ish on the palate, but really very well composed - a good quaff..

Niepoort '85 - after a run of VA racked bottles that led me to put the wine on 'drink up' status, the second good bottle in a row. Is it a tease, could it possibly be growing out of it? I'm not convinced that the issue has a simple irreversible source, but more research needed..

Next up for the New Year, Taylor '55 - I didn't pay that much for this stash, eleven years ago, but a look at wine-searcher is just insane..

MigSU · Post by **MigSU** » 19:54 Mon 27 Dec 2021

winesecretary wrote: ↑19:38 Mon 27 Dec 2021 Periquita 1966, Jose Maria de Fonseca - to be opened shortly. I have high hopes.

Huh. Really? I really wouldn't think that wine would be any good today, but may I'm totally mistaken! Do let us know how it turns out, I'm now quite curious.

nac · Post by **nac** » 15:00 Tue 28 Dec 2021

Dining at a wine-loving friend's this evening and anticipating some vinous delights. I'm taking a magnum of 1999 Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill and the remains of the Cockburn 1970.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 20:13 Tue 28 Dec 2021

: Niepoort Redoma 2005; D9AEFEC9-9F5B-479B-AB63-E038408EE787.jpeg (25.67 KiB) Viewed 3989 times

My one decent (half) bottle of red wine this Christmas is this one. Not really sure what to expect.

But it does remind me that I hate with a passion those damned irradiated corks Amorim were experimenting with in the noughties.

: Hateful exploding corks; F3C36381-9E2A-4EA1-BBBD-345F441C57A9.jpeg (27.29 KiB) Viewed 3989 times