A couple of fantastic bottles were shared around Graileys last Tuesday.
The team just finalized the purchase of an amazing collection that featured a 17-year vertical of Pichon Lalande so, expectedly, Simon’s first cork fatality was a 1979 Pichon Lalande. This was a majestic expression of opulence and flesh. From the first pour, the nose was dramatic with licorice, creme de cassis, tobacco, and loamy earth. The palate was initially reticent. I thought it was dried out and weedy with a clipped finish. So I left my glass behind the bar and when I came back to it, a couple of hours later, the wine seemed riper and more consistent with the nose. Sweet black fruits layered with licorice, cedar, toffee, and wet earth notes. Drinking at peak.
Next in the line up was a 1982 Chateau Canon which was a knockout! Complex bouquet showcasing a sweet, red fruit core (plums, black cherries) layered with cedar and tobacco. Refined and feminine palate, silken texture, and a freshness that made this wine so pleasurable to drink. A nice violet component added a dimension of complexity. Simply, a pretty wine. Drinking at peak.