WTN: Some catching up (includes '73 Heitz Martha's)

[David M. Bueker]

I have been remiss with some of my notes lately due to time constraints, but thought a few of these might interest folks:

1970 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon
a little bit of brown at the rim, deep red fruit, a touch of mint and some leathery/band-aid funk that adds complexity but does not go over the top. Very good+

1971 Chateau Haut Brion
Lots of the band-aid character that overwhelms thin fruit. Good-

1971 Chateau Lafite
Spice, a touch of oak & lots of red fruit in the aromatics. It doesn't live up to the standard on the palate, but this is a gorgeous wine to smell & an ok one to drink. Very good-

1973 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard
Lots of red fruit left in this one, slightly minty (reminds me of #1 - all the wines were served blind) & has a cedary/leathery finish that goes on for a long time. Excellent

More to come.

Thanks for the interesting notes. I have a '75 Heitz Martha's that I figure I should drink soon. I have very little experience with Martha's and have never had one that old. Your note gives me hope!

[David M. Bueker]

I have been very lucky to have '73, '74 (twice) and '75 Martha's, as well as a number of other vintages. The wines are all very fine.

1971 Chateau Haut Brion
Lots of the band-aid character that overwhelms thin fruit. Good-

By band-aid I assume you mean brett? So was that often a problem with the 1971 Haut Brion?

[David M. Bueker]

By band-aid I assume you mean brett? So was that often a problem with the 1971 Haut Brion?

I guess it could have been brett. I've seen that band-aid character in a lot of older Bordeaux, and in measured doses I really like it.

As for the '71 Haut Brion, I have only tasted it this one time.

By band-aid I assume you mean brett? So was that often a problem with the 1971 Haut Brion?

Rahsaan,

I surely will not speak for David B, but I sometimes find this same aroma in a few wines, and have always simply called it a medicinal smell. Band-aids though might with their plastic type aromas be a better descriptor. I have never associated this with brett, but what do I know.

I've gotten plastickey medicinal gauzey band-aid in lots of Southern French wines and always assumed it was brett. Not sure why I initially made that assumption but it's been part of my 'working knowledge' for a few years now so I must have begun to regard it as 'fact'.

David,

As always, glad to see people trying wines from unfashionable vintages.

Of course, you win a few and lose a few, but there's always the thrill of the hunt .

The Man from Monkton gives 71 Pauillac the lowest rating of the decade.
But still, 38 years down the line, wines from this vintage manifestly are able to provide pleasure.
Of course, Lafit is not just any wine.
But it only goes to show...

Best regards,
Alex R.

[David M. Bueker]

The Man from Monkton gives 71 Pauillac the lowest rating of the decade.
But still, 38 years down the line, wines from this vintage manifestly are able to provide pleasure.
Of course, Lafit is not just any wine.
But it only goes to show...

Lower than '72? I'm not a student of vintage charts, but my poor recollection was that '72 was the real disaster (much like '92 versus '91).