Solihull Fine Wine Society April meeting at Rowlands in Edgbaston. Subject
was "claret".

All blind as usual, and one ringer .

First flight of three.

Clos du Marquis 1997. A rather dull wine, with a clean undeveloped smoky
nose. Nose opened up after an hour. Most pleasant fruit and tannins in
balance, faint bitter finish. A classic lunchtime claret.

Chasse-Spleen 1995. depth and bright. A classic spice, plums cigars
pencils.Reflected on palate. Soft fruit but big tannins. Long. Ok now, but
try again 2 years. Will be good.

Cape Mentelle Oz 2001, cab/merlot. Deep with purple edge, dumb sweetshop
nose, chocolate. Firm fruit and very up front colonial. All spotted the
ringer.

2nd flight of three.

Carruades de Lafite., 1996. depth and hint of purple, big legs, complex
blackcurrant, cigar box, organic. Raw fruit and tannins, long. Too young try
again 2 years. Rather nice.

Bahans de Haut Brion 1996. deep and brooding, cassis and figgy nose.
restrained. Big fruit entry with raw tannins. long. but a rather astringent
finish, which did not bode well for the future.

Pavillon Rouge de Ch Margaux 1996. The lightest yet brightest of the flight.
A real spearmint nose,oak and cinnamon. Wonderful well knit palate with long
fruit and spice. My wine of the night.

Third flight of two.

Ch Canon 1943. A brown pale old lady, a pungent port nose with farmyard
nuances. Wonderful soft long flavour of smoked bacon. Wonderful. I went for
a 1955 Palmer.

Ch Petrus 1976. A mahogany wine with an incredible syrah nose of menthol and
tomatoes. Wet paper and dusty cupboards. Died in glass after 20 mins, Superb
soft entry, fruit and spice, long. drying out yet wonderful.. A classic
example of old claret rhones and burgs coming together in unison. I plumped
for "claret" 1959 or 55.

Went home and looked up 1943. Broadbent says its the best of the wartime
vintages, some wines being as good as the 45's

Broadbent slammed the Petrus, but Parker thought it pleasing and he got the
tomatoes on the nose. A rare taste of a famous wine, and not cheap>

"John Taverner" > wrote in message
. uk...
>
> Broadbent slammed the Petrus, but Parker thought it pleasing and he got
> the tomatoes on the nose. A rare taste of a famous wine, and not cheap>

The only time I have had Petrus was years ago - a 1977. Parker said
something like Petrus should not have even made a wine in that vintage. I
thought the wine was wonderful.


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John Taverner wrote:

> Ch Petrus 1976. A mahogany wine with an incredible syrah nose of menthol and
> tomatoes. Wet paper and dusty cupboards. Died in glass after 20 mins, Superb
> soft entry, fruit and spice, long. drying out yet wonderful.. A classic
> example of old claret rhones and burgs coming together in unison. I plumped
> for "claret" 1959 or 55.

> Broadbent slammed the Petrus, but Parker thought it pleasing and he got the
> tomatoes on the nose. A rare taste of a famous wine, and not cheap

In general, Broadbent was not very fond of 76 Bordeaux, rating the year
as ** to *** out of 5-star. In 1997 he rated the 76 Petrus as ***?
future?. I have not had the 76 Petrus, but have found some other 76
Bordeaux reds sound and holding, and some lacked acid, faded soon, and
now are far too old. At this late date, one should buy 76 Bordeaux only
after careful research and if the price is right, as many more years
produced wines that are safer buys.

I still have 1971, 1973, 1979, and 1982 Petrus. The 1971 is
outstanding, holding very well, and I and some others consider it
superior to the highly-rated 1970. The 1979 is not quite up to the 1971
standard, but not too far behind. The 1973 is still holding on, but was
better several years ago when it had more fruit. It is rather light for
a Petrus, but by no means light for a Bordeaux in general. I have not
tasted the 1982 yet, because if it is up to its reputation, in could
stand many more years of age, and I have the other mentioned Petrus
ready for current drinking. I once had the 1974 Petrus many years ago.
At that time it was quite light, but drinkable, which is more than you
can say for many 74s. It likely has long been dead. I quit buying
Petrus with the 1982 vintage.

Broadbent rated the 71 Petrus as ****, the 73 as **, the 79 as ****,
and the 82 as *****, all out of 5-star. These ratings seem accurate to
me, although I can not yet have an opinion of the 82. I have no idea
how Parker rated these wines and do not care, as I long ago quit paying
attention to Parker's ratings. I often liked Coates best for younger
wines and Broadbent best for old wines.