On Sunday, September 16, 2018 at 9:37:17 PM UTC+2, DaleW wrote:
> Ian was visiting from London and Ramon organized a group to celebrate his visit. Jim and JC arranged dinner at Sutton Inn, an improvised tasting menu by ordering 4 orders of various mains for the 8 os us- worked great, and restaurant did a good job.
>
> We started with the 2006 Phillponnat La Leon Blanc de Noirs. Full, ripe but balanced, citrus zest and pit fruits, pretty sure I wouldnt have guessed 100% PN but enjoyed. B+
>
> With heirloom tomato salad with a corn milk sauce and tapioca puffs
>
> 2004 Laville Haut-Brion Blanc
> Really tight at first, but deep. I wrote down B+/B but revisited later and it was a different beast, delicious,heading toward excellent.
>
> 2005 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc
> Oak, thick, a little hot. C+/B-
>
> Really nice charcuterie plate, I surprised myself by especially loving the mortadella
>
> 1982 Figeac
> Jim who brought was worried, and at first there was a kind of pruney note, but it transformed into something that seemed more representative of that Figeac CF-ishness. Herby, leafy, red fruits, earth. B+/B
>
> 1982 Lafon Rochet
> A bit workman like, ok but without any 82 glamor. B-
>
> 1982 Leoville Barton
> Corked, alas.
>
> Gnocchi, I thought it was to have a mushroom sauce, but more tomato (or sun dried tomato). Hard match, but the wines pulled through
>
> 1985 Leoville las Cases
> Divisive wine, some really liked , I thought somewhat sturdy/blocky. Might have been better with a steak. B
>
> 1985 Rausan Segla
> Lovely, elegant,red fruits and sandalwood. Ive always thought 86 RS was highpoint of the chateau, followed by the 83, but this is maybe my new fave. A-
>
> 1985 Gruaud Larose
> Most wines were doubledecanted in advance, this was opened by JC as a backup (not sure for what!). Took a while to open up, but classic brawny/earthy GL with some tobacco notes. B+
>
> My favorite course of the night, duck breast with a orange/ginger sauce/puree (deconstructed duck lorange someone said- but a better red match)
>
> 1983 Ch. Marguax
> Big brooding beast, sure will be fantastic, not a load of fun right now. B
>
> 1983 Chateau Rauzan Segla,
> A bit reticent compared to other bottles Ive had, but still lovely with power and grace. B+/A-
>
> 1983 Leoville Poyferre
> (cork broke and fell in during double decant, so in a Juge bottle)
> Brawny for LP, cassis and gunflint, needs time. B/B+ for now
>
> 1983 Pichon Lalande
> Cassis and black raspberry, green tobacco leaf, balanced and long, A-
>
> Dry aged steak, snap peas, excellent potatoes
>
> 1986 Ducru-Beaucaillou
> Corked
>
> 1986 Gruaud Larose
> I always love this wine, but an especially giving bottle. POwerful, complex, dark fruits with earth and cigarbox, just a hint of Cordier funk. A-/A
>
>
> 1986 Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou,
> Corked.
>
> Some had baked Alaska
>
> 1988 Climens
> Usual orange marmalade/zest, good color, but shorter than other bottles Ive had. B-/B
>
> 1988 Ch. DYquem (375)
> Deep, long., classic. A-/B+
>
> Really fun night.
>
> Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

Have not heard from Ian Hoare for years.

Ob FB the other day, discussion came up with Mark, Thor and Joseph Coulter about Andrew, it's been a yea now that nobody has any news.