By: AJ McClellan
1996 DRC La Tache – The famed La Tache! I think this wine has a lot of potential but it definitely needs some more time in the bottle. We opened the wine three hours before it was served and it still needed another hour before it started to come around. The nose was very impressive and changed every time I smelt the wine. Starting with crushed raspberries and dusty cherries the wine then moved into sandalwood and huge floral notes of red roses, violets, and lilacs. With some more time in the glass the wine started to develop a light mushroom note reminding me of Shiitake mushrooms this was followed by a smooth earth nuance and a lingering note of bramble. The palate was pushing the boundaries of elegance. The tannins were strong and prevalent but melted away on the finish and were then washed away by the impressive acidity. All in all a very good bottle but in need of some more time in bottle.
1990 Jaboulet La Chapelle – Parker rated this wine a 100 points and makes the lofty claim that this is the new 61 for Jaboulet. After tasting the wine I can see that he has a point. The nose was earthy with plenty of barnyard and forest floor followed by dark berry notes. As the wine continued to open it developed notes of saddle leather and cow hide with a finish of clove and spice tea.