1970 Léoville Las Cases

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Anything but Port, this includes all non-Port fortified wines even if they call themselves Port. There is a search facility for this part of the forum.
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djewesbury
Graham’s 1970
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1970 Léoville Las Cases

Post by djewesbury »

The bar being set this evening by Owen's earlier note, there seems to be no time to waste. Claret weekend will be over soon.

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A good level on this bottle, very top shoulder. Very dark, lovely deep ruby with bricking in the core, somewhat cloudy. Cork fell apart; should have applied steam before pulling.

Blackcurrants dominate, amongst very juicy, taut acids. A little floral character, I'm thinking violets, right up front. Silky; gorgeously, luxuriantly soft, but granular with working and having a very biscuity dryness in the mid palate. Tannins are very soft indeed, merely brushing the gums. Then smokiness, no heat, even a little bacon. No farmyard here though. Tart, bitter currant finish, of very good length - a couple of minutes at least, though I didn't want to keep the glass away long enough to find out.

This didn't die during the evening, rather it held itself together really admirably.

Noble and inviting, like one's first view of the Duchesse de Guermantes. My glass is being refilled - and the decanter is empty!
Daniel J.
Husband of a relentless former Soviet Chess Master.
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LGTrotter
Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
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Re: 1970 Léoville Las Cases

Post by LGTrotter »

Lovely note.
djewesbury wrote: like one's first view of the Duchesse de Guermantes.
I can't quite resist asking if you mean that it took itself too seriously and went on a bit too long.
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djewesbury
Graham’s 1970
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Re: 1970 Léoville Las Cases

Post by djewesbury »

LGTrotter wrote:Lovely note.
djewesbury wrote: like one's first view of the Duchesse de Guermantes.
I can't quite resist asking if you mean that it took itself too seriously and went on a bit too long.
It was haughty and well-bred, but underneath all that silk and brocade beat the heart of (etc)
Daniel J.
Husband of a relentless former Soviet Chess Master.
delete.. delete.. *sigh*.. delete...
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djewesbury
Graham’s 1970
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Re: 1970 Léoville Las Cases

Post by djewesbury »

Rubber bands! I've just realised, that smoky acrid acidity in the nose is hot rubber bands! Derek, you're a genius. It just came to me as I lay here reading about the excellent Las-Cases wines of the 1920s, a sudden sense memory. All I had to do was close my eyes and I knew what it was.
Daniel J.
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DRT
Fonseca 1966
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Re: 1970 Léoville Las Cases

Post by DRT »

djewesbury wrote:Derek, you're a genius.
:GoldStar:
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Justin K
Warre’s Traditional LBV
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Re: 1970 Léoville Las Cases

Post by Justin K »

Maybe I need to rethink this? Either my taste buds are seriously out of kilter or you are exaggerating just to rub it in!
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djewesbury
Graham’s 1970
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Re: 1970 Léoville Las Cases

Post by djewesbury »

Justin K wrote:Maybe I need to rethink this? Either my taste buds are seriously out of kilter or you are exaggerating just to rub it in!
I am curious as to what it is you found so unappealing about old claret. You said your taste had changed; that's quite normal. But I think you should open one or two of whatever you have left and see what you think!
And that delivery is coming very soon...
Daniel J.
Husband of a relentless former Soviet Chess Master.
delete.. delete.. *sigh*.. delete...
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