Last June there was a discussion on another forum about 2005 Bordeaux
prices. My friend Matt posted some incredible opening prices on some
First Growths, and our English buddy Ian felt they couldn't maintain,
with a bold prediction of a big drop in one year. I felt the prices
were high, but doubted bubble burst within a year. Ian and I entered
into a bet - if 3 selected 1sts (Mouton, Latour, and Margaux) dropped
20% in one year, Ian won. If they increased 10% or more, I won. In
between, no winner. Prize was to be a mature Bdx worth $150+. Well,
the Mouton was a dog, but Margaux appreciated nicely, and Latour
soared. It came in at 11%.

Ian was a good sport about his narrow loss, but it seemed silly to
exchange a bottle. So instead we agreed that Ian would contribute a
First Growth, and myself, Matt, and Arv (who was designated judge)
bring other wines from same vintage to a dinner. So last night we met
at Vice Versa in Manhattan. Arv's wife Jen joined us, as did our
friend David who was in US for a big Zachys auction he helped set up
(he said prices were very strong Friday).

Food was pretty good, though place was very loud. I had a half order
of strozzapreti ( ''Strangled Priest'' pasta) with duck ragu, and
suckling pig with grilled endive. There wasn't a dog in the bunch of
wines:

1992 Potinet-Ampeau "Perrieres" Meursault 1er
So at first pour this was almost clear, with light butterscotch over
pear fruit. But in literally a minute colored had darkened
considerably, and some nutty oxidative notes entered. Quite drinkable,
but I felt it was dying in glass. But the funny thing was after the
oxidative notes started, it kind of hung in stasis for a couple hours.
A couple sips with the cheese plate were about the same as those 5
minutes after pouring. Pear, spice, mineral, hazelnuts; too thin to
really be taken for a 1er, but ok. B/B-

1989 Certan de May (Pomerol)
I had decided to double-decant this before getting on train. And good
thing- corked to the max. Luckily I had one more bottle, and decanted
it (though it didn't have time to stand first). Very sweet black plum
fruit, a hint of mocha. There's just a touch of barnyard after a
while, not intrusive. Smooth, although maybe a little less lush
texturally than a true top Pomerol, I still found this quite
enjoyable, and mourn the corked bottle. Holds up well over 2 hours. A-/
B+

1975 Le *** (Pomerol)
A little bretty, high acids, noticable tannins. David says this is
"very 1975" and I can see what he means. Broad-shouldered, brawny, top
especially long. I don't like as much as a recent '75 L'Evangile, but
still a good showing. Pomerols have generally been my favorite '75s. B

1989 Beychevelle
I'm not usually a big Beychevelle fan, but I like this a lot. Good
acidity, resolved tannins, redder fruit than other wines this night.
Lots of herbs and cedar, maybe most "a pointe" wine of evening. A-

1989 Grand Puy Lacoste (Pauillac)
Softer than expected, seemingly pretty mature, plum and blackberry
fruit, low acid, light tannins. B+

1989 Lynch Bages (Pauillac)
I've always liked this wine, but this is one of the better showings. A
very Mouton-esque exoticism, lush, spicy black fruits, lots of coffee
aromas. Entering plateau, but plenty of structure. A-

1989 Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac)
Young and trying to burst out, a thoroughbred straining at the leads
Lovely rich and dense fruit, just developing its secondary aromas, but
clean cedar/lead pencil and some earth. This needs time, but classic
Lafite -elegant yet powerful. A

1988 Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz
I think I don't have any Australians cellared outside some Penfolds
389s from the 90s, but it's wines like this (as well as some Yarra
Yerring, Parker Estates, etc ) that make me realize that's a mistake.
Rich and ripe, yet with structure and backbone, and some elegance to
boot. Nothing over the top here, sweet but not the least bit candied.
Lovely wine. A-

Fun evening with a nice crew. Timing was perfect- I strolled up 9th
Ave on a lovely fall evening and got to Lincoln Center as Betsy came
out. Thanks to Ian for his good sportsmanship, and to all for their
great wine contributions.

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. 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