Dinner drinks at friends place.
Giesen Clayvin was exceptional.
Wither Hills Organic Benmorven Chardonnay 2021 NZ
Ayala Champagne FR
Wairau River Chardonnay 2023 NZ
Giesen Clayvin Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 NZ
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Not too young for us:
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Just wondering if you’re referring to some of the more expensive offerings I can’t see in store online but are present on Waitrose Cellar website for delivery?
A few I found on Vivino etc were eye-wateringly expensive.
These days Musar runs to around £40 a bottle, it might well be the best £40 wine in the market if you like its style (I do as you’ll see from a couple of notes above).
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Ojos del Sur Malbec 2021 
Purchased half a dozen bottles of this rather splendid red in January, and can confirm this second bottle today has improved to total taste bud satisfaction after being settled in the cellar since 
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First evening of truffle weekend in Barolo, yesterday.
Whatever your impression of grappa is, try one (maybe not this large!) made by Paolo Marolo in Alba, and prepare to have that impression changed wholesale…
Off to the città today. The weather is forecast to remain ‘atmosferico’ the entire time. Not for nothing is the main grape named Nebbiolo.
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I found this in the wine store but don’t recall buying it - maybe bought by my brother in law when they were staying last Christmas?? Anyway, I like a Sauvignon Blanc, especially a good NZ one, and once upon a time The Ned was a staple purchase from majestic wines. This one is called “Pinnacle” and comes in a larger bottle, so I assume it must be their premium or next level offering. Not a bad drop at all if a bit one dimensional, and heavy on the “grapefruit”…
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Ah yes Richard - the Ned is usually just “ one dimensional”
What you have there is their “up market” one - it’s not too bad at all and better for it coming from the Deep South 
Love a good grappa - reminds me we need to find one for the Christmas drinks cupboard.
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A lovely BDX lunch at La Trompette and some very generous wines shared on our table. The Pierre Peters is a grower champagne that I have not previously tried but a really delicious way to kick things off.
There was so much to enjoy on the reds and any lineup including Margaux and Palmer must be ok. And a sip of Latour 83 from next table so a real treat.
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Spectacular line up including an interesting vertical of Poyferré, how were the earlier vintages?
Hi Eoin - thought this selection might pique your interest! My neighbour on the table is a self confessed BDX nut with a penchant for older wines and have shamelessly boorowed some of his notes as far more knowledgable regarding the St Julien wines as I could not really add a lot.
Ch Langoa Barton 2004. The nose on this was a revelation. Classic Bordeaux mix of red fruits, gravel and cigar box. One of the best aromas of the bunch. Archetypal claret. Tasted good but didn’t quite live up to the aromas, red fruits but less depth than other wines we had. Still, a classic mid-weight St Julien. I’d be very happy to have a few of these in the cellar and will look out for it. 91
Ch Leoville Poyferre 2000 gorgeous creamy cassis nose, dense and fragrant. Just coming into its own but ready now and held strong throughout the lunch. Ripe blackcurrants all the way. Young still but drinking well. A class act. 93
Ch Leoville Poyferre 96. This wine changed most through the meal. At first quite old school, green bell pepper nose intermixed with cassis. Good depth but a touch austere. After an hour in the glass it really opened up with the cassis growing as the green notes disappeared. Ended up being my second favourite wine of the lunch. 94
Ch Leoville Barton 96. In a way this was the opposite of the Poyferre 96. Austere, not ready, a touch hard though there is good substance here. A touch green and that remained throughout. Should come good but still needs time I think. 90.
Ch Leoville Poyferre 1983. In good condition and although it has tertiary notes still plenty of fruit. The kinship with the later vintages of this was there but thinner and less ripe fruit which is both right for its time and the 83 vintage. A nice mature reference point for me. 91
I took the Langoa Barton and felt it stood up well to the rather senior company.
Cheers
Peter
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Thanks Peter, much appreciated. After the ‘95 Poyferre I had a few months ago and those comments it seems that despite feeling clumsy in their youth the ‘80s and ‘90s Poyferres had real aging potential.
Interesting comment about the Barton (and nice that you had a 2 bottle horizontal sneaked in), I’ve usually found that it’s one of the more structured Crûs and from a firm vintage like ‘96 it benefits from a couple of hours in decanter, opening up a lot more than you’d expect.
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I still feel like an absolute novice around BDX and the majority of my purchases were acquired courtesy of the Wine Society’s vintage cellar plan with a few mixed cases from EP offfers from nearly 20 years back so it is quite nice to find that one or two of the purchases are doing really well and stand up to exalted company.
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My grappa of choice at the moment. Available from the Whisky Exchange at a sensible price and is very good. Bassano is in Friuli so this is proper grappa!
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We do, great find, thanks
Martin
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Was searching for something in the drinks (non-wine/miscellaneous) cupboard and found this. Still got over half a bottle so I am not needing to panic buy but shall check out the Whisky Exchange.
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Took advantage of the 25% off promo at the local supermarket and this Bordeaux is going down a treat while spinning some vinyl. Chicken katsu curry being prepped for dinner tonight.
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