1995 Etude

Drinking at home.

1995 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon - totally not ready! Parker had said this may be ready in 2001... Well I think it needs a few more years. Loads of sweet raspberries and strawberries - typical Californian. Also nose of coffee, hint of minerals, acetone/glycerin. Close to a fruit bomb but slightly more complex. Double decanted and the color was really like black ink - amazing! This would be awesome in another 5 years.

Bought from Latour for TWD 3,000.

1988 Peter Michael Les Pavots

Drinking at home.

1988 Peter Michael Les Pavots - double decanted but this didn't open up more at least 1½ hours. This was still very concentrated and dark despite having 12 years on it. There was fruit of course, plus a bit of coffee, green peppers. A bit disappointing to me, but again this was the first vintage.

1996 d'Arenberg The Noble

Drinking at home.

1996 d'Arenberg Riesling The Noble, from half-bottle

93 Ramonet and 70 Chasse-Spleen

Dinner at Con Fusion.

1993 Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Boudriotte Rouge - this gradually opened up after 45 minutes or so. Not bad. Good concentration, although my memories of the '95 seem better. Typically full of black cherries, mushrooms, and "cotton candy".

Bought from Eslite for TWD 1,720.

1970 Chasse-Spleen - opened and double-decanted at home. At first the wine seemed really sweet. A friend remarked that it's almost like a Californian instead of French. This was pretty good stuff. Still lots of fruit left. Very smooth now after 30 years.

Bought from Fine and Rare Wines for GBP 35.

1970 BV Georges de Latour

Dinner at Brasserie on the Eighth.

1970 Beaulieu Vineyard George de Latour Private Reserve - decanted before dinner started. Hmmm... very good stuff. Very French and unCalifornian. Very smooth. Acidity a little on the high side. Still has lots of fruit, a bit spicy on the after palate. Really like an old Bordeaux. Gave a sample to the restaurant manager and ended up not getting charged corkage. Hit the peak around 2½ hours after opening.

Bought from the winery for USD 250.

1982 syrah vs shiraz

Dinner at Fook Lam Moon.

1982 Guigal La Mouline - opened and decanted more than 1 hour before serving. Wow! What a wine! Color was fairly light with amber edges, but the nose was incredible. Lots of red fruits, game meat, earth, spice, green pepper, and maybe some salted plum. The wine kept getting better until 2½ - 3 hours after opening. We finally got a Rhone wine one of my friend likes, and my other friends love it. Everyone detected the classic floral notes from the viognier, of roses and lavender. My "soap" comment was not appreciated...

Bought from Vinum for SGD 400.

1982 Penfolds Grange - opened a little later than the La Mouline but drank side by side. Also a great wine, but in an entirely different style. Classic Australian shiraz, packed with all the raspberry fruit, toffee, some spice. My "marshmallow". This wine is still youthful and shows no sign of aging. Very in-your-face. Color still very dark ink-like. This wine can easily go another 10 years or more.

1996 Laurus Gigondas

Dinner at Sorabol.

1996 Laurus Gigondas - light-bodied and kind of disappointing, not like what I remembered about this wine.

1983 Montrose

Drinking at home but fell asleep before drinking much of it.

1983 Montrose - not very interesting. Smoky, a bit of berries, a touch of green peppers. Classic Bordeaux.

A gift from a friend.