Musigny					1976	L. Jadot

2/96. Bought in auction Aug-95 for $100 (imported from Chicago for $110 net).
One of the greatest Grand Crus from a very reliable source and a vintage that had its successes and failures.
Tonight for a superb Friday dinner at home: Oeuf Bourguignon. Steak Tartar with 'rushti' potatoes, Gruyere cheese, home-made Creme Caramel. One always approaches a 20 years (B) with some apprehension.
COLOR: Very good color. No browning or orange hues. Typical brick-red with some clearing around the rim. A bit murky towards the end of the bottle.
NOSE: Immense! The unmistakable bouquet of a splendid mature (B). Profound yet delicate 'Bourgogne Nose', ripe plums, wet forest floor... whatever you call it. A smell that glues one's nose to the glass, hoping it will last forever.
TASTE: If it was not for the familiar sweetish plumpish taste, I'd have never guessed this is a 20-year (B). Full of vigor, a big mouth-filling wine, that is richly endowed with everything. 'Flesh', alcohol, acidity and tannins. If Musigny is generally referred to as a 'feminine' wine, this lady was certainly not an old dying lady. More like a women's lib tough cookie in the prime of her life. F A N T A S T I C !
LENGTH: Long long lingering aftertaste that changes from the tannin-dominated finish to a myriad of different complex nuances.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Full bodied wine, complex layers of flavors, not a hint of 'tiredness'. Abundant but soft tannins, excellent structure with plenty of 'wininess'.
OVERALL: An extraordinary wine! At its prime, but will probably keep for some time (though I don't believe will improve). Another fine example to prove wrong all those who doubt the longevity capabilities of a great (B).
MARK: 19/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.

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Copyright 1996-2003.
Jacob "Yak" Shaya.