Tuesday 2 December 2014

Eight Bottles From 1964 & A Backup

It was time for our monthly tasting in our tasting group, but due to sickness and bad priority, we were only three to take on the bottles that I had prepared. But somehow we managed...:-)

1964 Private Cuvée, Roger Perreau
This bottle was tired, not a bubble in sight and the flavours were full of old apples, dried fruits and canned mushrooms. Rather dry and short.
60p   (tasted 2014/11)




2006 Blanc de Noir, AR Lenoble
But I thought that we wanted some real bubbles, so I opened this one. The nose is creamy and dark with notes of wild strawberries, red apples, a touch of chocolate and some balsamic scents. A fine depth. Very, very good.
The taste is young, tight and fresh with notes of red apples, warm gravel, flowers and a light peppery note. A very fine acidity. Long and fine. This will be even greater in 4-6 years time.
91p   (tasted 2014/11)

1964 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grande Rosace, Patriarche
What is in this bottle? Almost black in colour and notes of black cherry jam, resin asphalt, sugared coffee and molasses. Very strange. Smells like a dried up Pedro Ximenez! What was put into this bottle? A Burgundy negociant who makes Châteauneuf-du-Pape? Well...
The taste is big and brawny with notes of cooked black cherries, chewing tobacco, cold coffee and moist undergrowth. Almost inky. Long and warm. A very strange creature. It has some virtues but what in the world would I have guessed if this was poured blind - I have no idea...
86p   (tasted 2014/11)




1964 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, H. Ogier
This is a whole another piece of Châteauneuf! The nose is mature and round with notes of red cherries, dried raspberries, lots of garrigue, pine trees and tobacco leaves. A high, finely tuned nose.
The taste is big and mature with notes of sweet lingonberries, dried raspberries, old leather, Christmas spices and tobacco. The finish is long and warm with soft tannins. A touch volatile that adds complexity. This is in a perfect stage of maturity.
92p   (tasted 2014/11)

The Châteauneuf´s were a nice warm up for the next four bottles that had a special theme. This line up really showed the high quality that was a Fontanafredda trademark in the 60´s, which they maintained well into the 70´s.

1964 Barolo Riserva Speciale, Fontanafredda
The Riserva Speciale has a mature, fresh nose with notes of dried strawberries, rosehips, warm tiles, spices and lots of rose petals. A fine, earthy warm note. Very good.
The taste is lovingly tight, mature and warm with notes of dried red fruits, red tea, old leather and rosehips. Fully integrated tannins. A very fine maturity.
90p   (tasted 2014/11)

1964 Barolo La Villa , Fontanafredda
The both vineyards wines are really a step up in quality. The La Villa has a deep, mature, gorgeous nose with notes of ripe red cherries, pipe tobacco,mushrooms,  a hint of rhubarb and lots of fresh rose petals. A wonderful nose.
The taste is mature, round and expansive with notes of dried cherries, rose petals, hard cherry candy and ceps. A very fine warmth. Long and focused. This is lovely, with a harmonious blend of mature fruit, sandy tannins and a long, fine warmth. Great wine.
94p   (tasted 2014/11)



1964 Barolo La Delizia, Fontanafredda
The La Delizia rivals the La Villa in quality but it behaves differently. The nose is darker with ripe black cherries, tea leaves, fried mushrooms, asphalt and cigarr ashes. The scent of old books. Deep and complex. Very, very fine.
The taste is denser than the La Villa with dark fruit and still perky tannins. Notes of black tea, black cherries, asphalt and forest floor. Very long and intense. So good, but still needs +3 years in a cold cellar.
93p   (tasted 2014/11)

1964 Barolo, Fontanafredda
More in the style of the Riserva Speciale but a bit softer on the nose with fine notes of autumn leaves, mushrooms, chewing tobacco and a touch of a bonfire in a distance. Very nice and mature.
The taste is mature and dry with notes of red cherries, forest floor, dry tobacco and rosehips. A medium long, warm finish that ends a tad dry. Fully mature and very fine with the food.
87p   (tasted 2014/11)

1964 Monbazillac, Château du Rauly
A big, intense, semi sweet nose with notes of dark saffron, dried apricots and pineapple, linoleum and glue. A touch of detergent after a while. Big and bold but a tad hollow in the middle.
The taste is mature and semi dry with notes of dried apricots, glue, green raisins and wet hay. A medium long finish. A bit low in acidity. Good.
84p   (tasted 2014/11)

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