Festive Drinking 2023

nac · Post by **nac** » 14:25 Fri 15 Dec 2023

A slightly later start this year, but once again what have we drunk, are drinking, or planning to drink during this period of vinious excess?

I'll kick off with the (quite long) annual lunch I have with a few ex work colleagues.
Sitting in the Wine Library at 67 Pall Mall last Saturday (9th Dec) we had:
- magnums of La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2005 & Vina Tondonia Reserva 2006 (both showed really well)
- a couple of bottles of Spanish red off the list
- Noval 85, Gould Campbell 85, and Graham 60 (which was particularly lovely)
- halves of Climens, Rieussec, Suduiraut, and Bastor Lamontagne 07
- and a 50cl of Conde De Los Andes Blanco Semidulce 2003 (a very interesting and quite rare sweet white Rioja)

A pretty decent start to the festivities.

Doggett · Post by **Doggett** » 17:38 Fri 15 Dec 2023

Very nice indeed… I don’t suppose the Tondonia was a Blanco? That would have been an especially nice wine to start your festive drinking!

nac · Post by **nac** » 20:27 Sat 16 Dec 2023

Doggett wrote: ↑17:38 Fri 15 Dec 2023 Very nice indeed… I don’t suppose the Tondonia was a Blanco? That would have been an especially nice wine to start your festive drinking!

Tinto.

nac · Post by **nac** » 20:46 Sat 16 Dec 2023

Last night, Tignanello 2009 - excellent but far from ready.
Tonight, Domaine Huet "Le Haut-Lieu" Vouvray Sec 2017 - mixture of freshness and starting to show interesting signs of maturity; unfortunately evaporated soon after opening.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 19:57 Sun 17 Dec 2023

J-P Fichet Bourgogne Blanc Vielles Vignes 2020 - like Bourgogne Blanc used to be, taut and yet floral, absolutely splendid with a curry
Collard-Picard, Essentiel, Zero Dosage 2012 - perfect with some halibut at 64 Goodge Street but do not keep, old gold mushroomy wine with a gentle mousse that is fully mature
Egly Ouriet Brut Rose NV (2016 base) - tighter than a gnat's backside, like drinking face powder with a slight dusting of dried apple skin, leave for a decade
Warre 1970

rich_n · Post by **rich_n** » 20:43 Mon 18 Dec 2023

Just cracked a bottle of Dow Quinta Senhora da Ribeira 2001 to enjoy over the next few days at my parents' place in the run up to Christmas. Even just post-decant it's rather enjoyable and open!

Alex M · Post by **Alex M** » 17:35 Thu 21 Dec 2023

For Christmas Day/NYE:

Bollinger NV
Ch Montrose 2004
Rieussec 1986
Smith Woodhouse 1970

mcoulson · Post by **mcoulson** » 19:11 Thu 21 Dec 2023

Alex M wrote: ↑17:35 Thu 21 Dec 2023 For Christmas Day/NYE:

Bollinger NV
Ch Montrose 2004
Rieussec 1986
Smith Woodhouse 1970

Sm70 should be great ... I have some of them ....

Bertie3000 · Post by **Bertie3000** » 13:31 Fri 22 Dec 2023

We have actually had our 2 main Christmas lunches already as we are heading overseas for Christmas and New Year:
Lunch 1:
Krug NV (c.2011) - very deep yellow colour, full nose and palate. Great way to start things off.
Tickeridge 2014 Classic Cuvee - not Krug but a very good English sparkling
Danbury Ridge - 2022 Chardonnay - pleasant
Danbury Ridge - 2022 Pinot Noir - I like England’s straight forward and fruity 2022 Pinots but this was not near the top for me (Gutter and Stars has been my favourite this year)
Noval 1950 - old and tired. Never got better, even after one or two days.
Croft 1994 - still seems so young; lots of blackberry and damson. Disappeared very quickly.

Lunch 2:
Louis Jadot Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrières 2014 - very limey, plenty of acidity, worked really well with the food.
Grand Puy Lacoste 2005 - lovely time to be drinking this - still plenty of fruit but a touch of tertiary creeping in.
Noval 1927 - unknown 1927 bottled by D Sandeman that I assumed to be Taylor or Graham; this was a mid shoulder bottle but was just fabulous. Still incredibly youthful in colour with the dark fruits on the palate the dominant feature. I asked the family to predict the year based on colour and palate and no went older than 1970.

Post by **flash_uk** » 16:02 Fri 22 Dec 2023

Bertie3000 wrote: ↑13:31 Fri 22 Dec 2023 We have actually had our 2 main Christmas lunches already as we are heading overseas for Christmas and New Year:
Lunch 1:
Krug NV (c.2011) - very deep yellow colour, full nose and palate. Great way to start things off.
Tickeridge 2014 Classic Cuvee - not Krug but a very good English sparkling
Danbury Ridge - 2022 Chardonnay - pleasant
Danbury Ridge - 2022 Pinot Noir - I like England’s straight forward and fruity 2022 Pinots but this was not near the top for me (Gutter and Stars has been my favourite this year)
Noval 1950 - old and tired. Never got better, even after one or two days.
Croft 1994 - still seems so young; lots of blackberry and damson. Disappeared very quickly.

Lunch 2:
Louis Jadot Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrières 2014 - very limey, plenty of acidity, worked really well with the food.
Grand Puy Lacoste 2005 - lovely time to be drinking this - still plenty of fruit but a touch of tertiary creeping in.
Noval 1927 - unknown 1927 bottled by D Sandeman that I assumed to be Taylor or Graham; this was a mid shoulder bottle but was just fabulous. Still incredibly youthful in colour with the dark fruits on the palate the dominant feature. I asked the family to predict the year based on colour and palate and no went older than 1970.

Nice drinking!

nac · Post by **nac** » 14:30 Sun 24 Dec 2023

The now almost traditional "Cliff" Xmas lunch and dinner took place on 19th with five attendees.

Lunch at Hawksmoor accompanied by:
Charles Heidsieck "Blanc des Millenaires" 1995 - still excellent, but now not going to improve and probably coming towards end of peak, drinking window
Climens 1967 - also excellent, but (unsurprisingly) not as good as the d'Yquem '67
Unknown red, believed Bordeaux 1920s - great colour and got better over a couple of hours
Gaja Barbaresco 1961 - very sadly past it
Biondi Santi Brunello "Il Greppo" 1970 (recorked and topped up 2007) - still OK but faded quickly, needs drinking up
Ausone 1990 - very very good
Quinta do Bom Retrio 1878 - very good
Unknown David Sandeman bottled 1908 VP - excellent

Dinner at 67 Pall Mall:
Yatterna 2001 - not right
Pichon Lalande 1981 - wasn't expecting much, but actually quite good and not overwhelmed by the...
Pichon Lalande 1982 that was excellent
La Mission Haut Brion 1962 - corked
La Mission Haut Brion 1978 - very good
Krohn Reserva Particular 1900 (bt 1944) - a truly wondrous thing
Krohn Reserva Particular 1834 (bt 1944) - excellent but preferred the 1900

Detailed tasting notes by AHB may appear at some point.

rich_n · Post by **rich_n** » 14:32 Sun 24 Dec 2023

This has been opened and after giving it a generous amount of time to air (there's no available decanter because I forgot to bring one or two with my and I'm with my parents) and using an aerator, this is absolutely fantastic!

nac · Post by **nac** » 14:35 Sun 24 Dec 2023

23/12 - Hyde de Villaine "Belle Cousine" 2009 - still plenty of primary fruit and structure; excellent now but will last for years

Planned
24/12 - Clos de Lambrays 2004 and starting a magnum of Croft 1975
25/12 - Smith Haut Lafite Blanc 2012, La Chapelle 1988, Rieussec 1997, and some more of the Croft 75

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 18:53 Sun 24 Dec 2023

: Christmas Eve drinking; RV63 and Ch Branaire 1985.jpg (147.49 KiB) Viewed 212412 times

This is what has been selected to be opened this evening.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 20:28 Sun 24 Dec 2023

Berthelot - Piot NV with fixing the hot water supply. Remarkably effervescent. Hot water supply fixed.

Burlotto Dolcetto 2020 with the Roquefort treviso and walnut salad. Worked.

Hermitage La Chapelle 1976 with the pheasant soup. The wine on a gentle downward slope but a truly fabulous farmyard nose to remind us what it is we missed by not drinking it in 2001.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 22:34 Sun 24 Dec 2023

Finishing the evening with (some of) a magnum of 1952 Roland Thevenin Marc de Bourgogne, bottled 1986. Now been open a couple of weeks. It has the most staggering sweet vinous intensity, the long time in wood giving it an almost olive oil quality.

nac · Post by **nac** » 10:50 Mon 25 Dec 2023

nac wrote: ↑14:35 Sun 24 Dec 2023 23/12 - Hyde de Villaine "Belle Cousine" 2009 - still plenty of primary fruit and structure; excellent now but will last for years

Planned
24/12 - Clos de Lambrays 2004 and starting a magnum of Croft 1975
25/12 - Smith Haut Lafite Blanc 2012, La Chapelle 1988, Rieussec 1997, and some more of the Croft 75

DP98 added for today.

mcoulson · Post by **mcoulson** » 11:48 Mon 25 Dec 2023

Today I shall be drinking this, along with other stuff, with friends .... don't worry about the low level - this is because I had to 'test' it yesterday and the day before to see if it was any good - which it is .... In the mean time everybody have a happy Christmas and new year...

: 1985.jpeg (205.58 KiB) Viewed 212229 times

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 17:59 Mon 25 Dec 2023

Chambertin Grand Cru Domaine Rossignol Trapet 2006. Majestic burgundy served with a Cote de Boeuf. Dark cherry notes and fine grained tannins. Singing.

MigSU · Post by **MigSU** » 18:48 Mon 25 Dec 2023

Burmester 1995. It was pretty good! Wouldn't wait too long to drink it, though, it's not one for the long haul.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 23:53 Mon 25 Dec 2023

Henri Giraud Hommage au Pinot Noir NV on fine red-fruited form. Seems to be a ‘thing’ in the US; for me the best sparkling Pinot Noir at the IPNC in Oregon this year; but in the UK available from Ocado. Go figure…

nac · Post by **nac** » 23:55 Mon 25 Dec 2023

winesecretary wrote: ↑17:59 Mon 25 Dec 2023 Chambertin Grand Cru Domaine Rossignol Trapet 2006. Majestic burgundy served with a Cote de Boeuf. Dark cherry notes and fine grained tannins. Singing.

Excellent news.

Christopher · Post by **Christopher** » 18:10 Tue 26 Dec 2023

Warre 66
Taylor 55

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 21:46 Tue 26 Dec 2023

The Chateau Branaire 1985 was wonderful, fully mature and delicious. The RV63 got swapped out for a Sainsbury Taste the Difference 2003 - which is a massive mouthful of fruit juice. It’s damn delicious, but also still a decade from showing secondary nuances.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 22:03 Tue 26 Dec 2023

Vosne Romanee 1er Cru aux Reignots 2014, Domaine Audiffred. Easy to fall in love with this sort of filigreed complexity in a Burgundy. Gained weight over an hour. A decade from peak. Happily first of six.

Justin K · Post by **Justin K** » 23:57 Tue 26 Dec 2023

We have now settled into a pattern at Christmas with our house wines and Port. Starting off with 2018 Rathfinny (Sussex sparkling) and finishing with the always beautiful (the Catherine Deneuve of the Port world) and still deceptively youthful Taylor’s 1970 (Irish private bottling). What to have with Guinea Fowl and whiskey,honey,apricot,blackberry and apple jam glazed organic ham (highlight of the day)? My new found grape this year is Tannat so we had Bodega Garzon 2020 from Uruguay; delicious.

rich_n · Post by **rich_n** » 09:59 Wed 27 Dec 2023

Christmas Day drinking started off with cremant - Simpsons of Servian Blanc de Blancs, which is rather delightful and very good value - and a rose sparkling that I didn't love and forgot to note down. I provided some beer in the form of Verdant's People, Money, Space, Time, which for my money is the best sub-4% modern pale on the market. The port came somewhat later as I forgot to decant it before breakfast and anyone who has cracked a bottle of 2000 Warre recently will know it can take plenty of time to be ready. I should have decanted the night before, ideally. It was delicious and very much appreciated by everyone who tried it.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 17:00 Thu 28 Dec 2023

Up in Rutland now. Last night, with Leeson's finest hand raised pork pie, salad, and cheese we drank three reds - Domaine Ragot 1er Cru La Grande Berge 2015 (bursting with juicy fruit), Domaine Bouard Bonnefoy Chassagne Montrachet Vielle Vignes 2015 (a little more austere and earthy, as you'd expect), and a half of 2017 PJA Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert (nicely warming and with a bit of attractively sweaty saddle starting to appear). Lovely uncomplicated wines with a sense of place, with all three of us present wittering away about anything and everything for three hours, every drop enjoyed, and a completely clear head this morning after nine hours of solid kip.

Plus one glass for me of the Fonseca 1985 which has been sustaining me admirably throughout Christmas.

With lunch today, after a strenuous morning's clearing things up, a half of Caronne Ste Gemme 2016. Lovely cabernet fruit, once given twenty minutes in the glass to warm up from cellar temperature.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 19:57 Thu 28 Dec 2023

This evening, Jean-Marc Burgaud’s Morgon ‘Grand Cras’ 2019 which just sort of evaporated with the crudités. To come with the chicken curry, Thomas Haag’s Schloss Lieser Heldenstuck Trocken Riesling 2021.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 20:01 Thu 28 Dec 2023

@rich_n - I am now some way through a second case of halves of Warre 2000 just because you can pop and pour it and drink it on grounds of deliciousness even though it would be better with a few hours to breathe.

MigSU · Post by **MigSU** » 10:30 Fri 29 Dec 2023

I too have some of those halves of Warre's 2000, they're quite delicious!

nac · Post by **nac** » 17:00 Sat 30 Dec 2023

To accompany dinner (steak) later this evening have just decanted a bottle of Jim Barry "The Armagh" 1998. Immediately glorious. Must not start drinking it yet...

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 18:52 Sat 30 Dec 2023

This evening dinner for 8 - of whom six are not serious port drinkers.

Alfred Gratien Millesime 2012 en magnum
Macon Aux Scelles Domaine Marcel Couturier 2021 x 2 with the celeriac remoulade and the York ham
Nuits St. Georges Domaine Audiffred 2016 x 2 with the chicken chasseur and Mediterranean roasted vegetables
PJA Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert 2010 en magnum with the cheese
A sole bottle of Sainsbury’s TTD 2003, to see if Alex’s positive note meets with general approval, with the chocolate cake

Tomorrow - washing up day!

nac · Post by **nac** » 19:44 Sat 30 Dec 2023

winesecretary wrote: ↑18:52 Sat 30 Dec 2023 This evening dinner for 8 - of whom six are not serious port drinkers.

Alfred Gratien Millesime 2012 en magnum
Macon Aux Scelles Domaine Marcel Couturier 2021 x 2 with the celeriac remoulade and the York ham
Nuits St. Georges Domaine Audiffred 2016 x 2 with the chicken chasseur and Mediterranean roasted vegetables
PJA Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert 2010 en magnum with the cheese
A sole bottle of Sainsbury’s TTD 2003, to see if Alex’s positive note meets with general approval, with the chocolate cake

Tomorrow - washing up day!

Report required on Thalabert.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 22:31 Sat 30 Dec 2023

Needed its three hour decant. Very fine for a port drinker but very much a fruit and tannin balance wine. Old school? In bottle, ready. In magnum needs another 6 years.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 07:57 Sun 31 Dec 2023

winesecretary wrote: ↑18:52 Sat 30 Dec 2023 This evening dinner for 8 - of whom six are not serious port drinkers.

Alfred Gratien Millesime 2012 en magnum
Macon Aux Scelles Domaine Marcel Couturier 2021 x 2 with the celeriac remoulade and the York ham
Nuits St. Georges Domaine Audiffred 2016 x 2 with the chicken chasseur and Mediterranean roasted vegetables
PJA Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert 2010 en magnum with the cheese
A sole bottle of Sainsbury’s TTD 2003, to see if Alex’s positive note meets with general approval, with the chocolate cake

Tomorrow - washing up day!

And how was the Sainsbury TtD 2003?

nac · Post by **nac** » 12:52 Sun 31 Dec 2023

This evening taking Musar 2002 and Rebello Valente 1970 to dinner with some friends (whose surname is Robertson, hence the RV).

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 16:38 Sun 31 Dec 2023

The TtD 2003 (bottle 2 - bottle 1 was subtly corked) was a fairly full-throated wine in early maturity. I would say a touch below your Christmas bottle - perhaps 89 points on your scale. But it was bottle 12 of the evening (there having been some Georgian Quevri Saperavi red, a bottle of Domaine Vincent Perrin Bourgogne Rouge 2012, and a bottle of Distant Noises Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, in addition to the anticipated wines above) and may have suffered from a lack of attention. It all got drunk, unlike the cabernet sauvignon. The best wine of the evening was the truly glorious NSG, of which I am pleased to have another three bottles, although some guests quite reasonably said that they preferred the Rhone.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 17:58 Sun 31 Dec 2023

I am impressed that after 11 earlier bottles, your palates were still able to pick up a subtly corked bottle!

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 18:14 Sun 31 Dec 2023

We’re seeing in the New Year with a load of leftovers plus a bottle of Penfold’s 1998 RWT.

: Happy New Year!; IMG_5849.jpeg (36.95 KiB) Viewed 154978 times

MigSU · Post by **MigSU** » 18:27 Sun 31 Dec 2023

The wine in the decanter is a Warre 1980.
Looking forward to the Vesúvio DOC Douro, have had good times with it.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 19:40 Sun 31 Dec 2023

MigSU wrote: ↑18:27 Sun 31 Dec 2023 The wine in the decanter is a Warre 1980.
Looking forward to the Vesúvio DOC Douro, have had good times with it.

What’s the vintage of the Kopke VV?

MigSU · Post by **MigSU** » 20:08 Sun 31 Dec 2023

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑19:40 Sun 31 Dec 2023
MigSU wrote: ↑18:27 Sun 31 Dec 2023 The wine in the decanter is a Warre 1980.
Looking forward to the Vesúvio DOC Douro, have had good times with it.
What’s the vintage of the Kopke VV?

2016

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 21:49 Sun 31 Dec 2023

@Alex - being able to identify it is a genetic gift (or, Glenn would argue, disadvantage…)

This evening a 2003 Tesco Finest Chateauneuf du Pape that was both stewed and oxidised - oddly impressive to have both present in one. Smelled of prunes, tasted of copper pipes. Happily, I had expected it to be bad, and we have just finished a lovely lithe Nuits St Georges 1990 from Maison Champy. 13% and perfect tertiary drinking now.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 21:54 Sun 31 Dec 2023

@ nac, @ Alex - notes on the 1998s appreciated. Possibly the last vintage of Aussie wines before the alcohol got crazy?

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 00:12 Mon 01 Jan 2024

Happy new years!

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 18:27 Mon 01 Jan 2024

winesecretary wrote: ↑21:54 Sun 31 Dec 2023 @ nac, @ Alex - notes on the 1998s appreciated. Possibly the last vintage of Aussie wines before the alcohol got crazy?

Posted in the "other wines" thread - but wasn't very impressed.14.5% alcohol.

rich_n · Post by **rich_n** » 11:53 Sat 06 Jan 2024

A little late but I shared a couple of bottles of the Quevedo "Oscar's Blend" with friends on New year's eve with a bottle of 2000 Graham to follow. Both options went down very well with my friends although I forgot to take notes of the Graham - other than briefly noting that it's delicious!

Another wine of note is a bottle of 2018 Vergelegen Cabernet-Sauvignon/Merlot that was recommended as a Lidl bargain by someone here that is really very good right now.