Vosne - Les Chaumes..... Gruaud Larose.....

Tonight, Friday night dinner for five people, we had two and a half wines. A Burgundy, a Bordeaux, and the leftovers of what was used for cooking (Israeli Yarden Cab '92). Dinner was marvelous as were the wines. Dorit made an excellent rich marron soup, a delicious cassoulet with all kinds of high-cholesterol goodies, a strawberry souffle, cheese and coffee. We started with the (B), then went on to the St. Juliens then did justice to the remaining of the Yarden bottle.

Vosne - Les Chaumes			1988	Meo-Camuzet

1/96. Bought in auction July-95 for $55 (imported from Chicago for $66 net).
This 'southern' 1er Cru vineyard of Vosne-Romanee has usually more affinity with the wines of Nuits-St. Georges. Meo-Camuzet have become, during the last ten years, one of the better producers in the Cote de Nuits.
COLOR: Normal medium brick-red. Noticeable clearing around the rim.
NOSE: Fantastic fresh cherries bouquet, very elegant and minor-tone 'Bourgogne nose', hints of game flavors.
TASTE: Fruit very prominent to make this wine delicate and refreshing on the palate. Tannins still abound, giving some rough edge to the finish. Mouth-filling, though not extremely concentrated. Will surely taste even better in two-three years.
LENGTH: Medium finish that starts out a bit tannic but turns to softer nuances after some seconds.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Medium body, good structure. Does not lack in 'flesh', though could have even more concentration to balance the tannins.
OVERALL: A superb wine. Not too complicated or mind-boggling, but much better than just 'decent' (B). Was excellent accompaniment to the chestnut soup.
MARK: 18/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Maybe.

Gruaud Larose				1986	St. Julien

1/96. Bought in auction Sept-95 for $45 (imported from Chicago for $55 net).
Yet a new experience on the Bordeaux road. This time a relatively young 2nd Growth from St. Julien.
COLOR: Impressive deep purple-red.
NOSE: Powerful clean (no cedar, cigar-box etc.) black berries aroma. Vanilla and cinnamon are there, but not to overshadow the wine itself. Great, complex bouquet that demands respect for a serious wine that will surely follow.
TASTE: Nothing less than was promised by the nose. An extremely concentrated wine that fills your mouth with layers of complex flavors. Still quite tannic though not distracting one iota. A 'big' wine, perfect with 'big' food like the cassoulet.
LENGTH: Reasonably long finish. The soft tannins do not fault the very good aftertaste.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Full bodied, velvet texture and fantastic balance. Enough fruit and 'wininess' to hold this wine in great shape until the tannins will subside. In time, this wine wine will approach divinity!
OVERALL: A truly great wine. Will reach even higher spheres in five years, though nothing wrong with it now.
MARK: 18+/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.

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Copyright 1996-2003.
Jacob "Yak" Shaya.