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Pulling cork from a 19-year-old Madiran

PostPosted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:06 pm
by Robin Garr
Hey, boys and girls ... I ran across a cellar orphan while looking for a dinner wine and ran across a bottle of 1994 Chateau Bouscassé Madiran. The last time I tried one of this stash, maybe five years ago, it was still tannic as could be. That's how the Tannat grape rolls, or so they say. Any predictions on what I'll find in the bottle tonight?

Of Course....

PostPosted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:48 pm
by TomHill
Robin Garr wrote:Hey, boys and girls ... I ran across a cellar orphan while looking for a dinner wine and ran across a bottle of 1994 Chateau Bouscassé Madiran. The last time I tried one of this stash, maybe five years ago, it was still tannic as could be. That's how the Tannat grape rolls, or so they say. Any predictions on what I'll find in the bottle tonight?


Of course, Robin...I'm a LosAlamos guy...I know how to make stuff up!!! :-)

I predict it'll still be hard & tannic and, probably a paucity of fruit, and so will be pretty dried out & astringent. Not pleasant drinking.

That's my story and I'm sticken' to it.

Tom

Re: Pulling cork from a 19-year-old Madiran

PostPosted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:39 pm
by Dale Williams
1996 Boucasse VV was pretty good a couple years ago. No real idea re 1994 vintage- only 1994 I've had was a Montus Prestige, remember as so-so, but that was from a huge offline so not really an clear note. But I generally assume Madiran vintages probably somewhat pattern on Bordeaux, and '94 is a rather firm/tannic vintage. I'd open with expectations of tannin (for me this would be a steak or cassoulet wine, if you don't eat meat not sure what to suggest), but I'd expect it to be better (for my tastes) than Tom's prediction. But 94 in Bordeaux is never a charming vintage, more a sturdy one, and I'd expect that to be amplified in Madiran.

Re: Pulling cork from a 19-year-old Madiran

PostPosted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:48 pm
by Robin Garr
Dale pretty much hit the tannic nail on the head. Tom's head was screwed on straight, but he was a little too pessimistic. It was surprisingly fresh, no signs of browning or oxidation at all (in spite of rather incompetent passive storage). Still some tannin left, but not as fierce as upon the last tasting; and the aromas and flavors were getting right: Subtle black fruit, roses and violets, and a little bit of a clean tree-bark character that I associate with long aging on an untainted natural cork. Or maybe it's just Tannat. Anyway, nice wine, holding up surprisingly well.

Re: Pulling cork from a 19-year-old Madiran

PostPosted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 4:13 pm
by Bill Spohn
Good to hear - I still have 4 bottles in the cellar. Anyone tried the 1994 Brumont Meinjarre?

Re: Pulling cork from a 19-year-old Madiran

PostPosted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 4:27 pm
by ChaimShraga
Bill Spohn wrote:Good to hear - I still have 4 bottles in the cellar. Anyone tried the 1994 Brumont Meinjarre?


How big is your cellar, Bill? It sometimes sounds like the library from Jorge Luis Borges' short story, which contains books comprised of every possible permutation of letters.

Re: Pulling cork from a 19-year-old Madiran

PostPosted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 4:46 pm
by Bill Spohn
Something over 4,000 bottles, Chaim, although Jenise does what she can to help me reduce that number when she comes by. :mrgreen:

You refer to "The Library of Babel' which I haven't read in 30 years (had to google for the title) and indeed I can relate to that story when I am trying to find a specific bottle. Most frustrating is when you know it is in there and can't locate it before it gets too old to enjoy. Most fun is when you miss entering a wine in your cellar list and then find it while puttering around in there (best find to date was 3 bottles of 1990 Ch. Montrose!).

You can ask Jenise, who has at least stuck her nose inside my cellar - it is pretty full to be able to get at anything right off without moving cases etc.