The place for all things wine, focused on serious wine discussions.

Pulling cork from a 19-year-old Madiran

Moderators: Jenise, Robin Garr, David M. Bueker

no avatar
User

Robin Garr

Rank

Forum Janitor

Posts

21612

Joined

Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:44 pm

Location

Louisville, KY

Pulling cork from a 19-year-old Madiran

by Robin Garr » Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:06 pm

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?
no avatar
User

TomHill

Rank

Here From the Very Start

Posts

7856

Joined

Wed Mar 29, 2006 12:01 pm

Of Course....

by TomHill » Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:48 pm

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
no avatar
User

Dale Williams

Rank

Compassionate Connoisseur

Posts

11125

Joined

Tue Mar 21, 2006 4:32 pm

Location

Dobbs Ferry, NY (NYC metro)

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

by Dale Williams » Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:39 pm

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.
no avatar
User

Robin Garr

Rank

Forum Janitor

Posts

21612

Joined

Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:44 pm

Location

Louisville, KY

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

by Robin Garr » Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:48 pm

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.
no avatar
User

Bill Spohn

Rank

He put the 'bar' in 'barrister'

Posts

9458

Joined

Tue Mar 21, 2006 7:31 pm

Location

Vancouver BC

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

by Bill Spohn » Tue Mar 19, 2013 4:13 pm

Good to hear - I still have 4 bottles in the cellar. Anyone tried the 1994 Brumont Meinjarre?
no avatar
User

ChaimShraga

Rank

Wine guru

Posts

663

Joined

Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:53 am

Location

Tel-Aviv, Israel

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

by ChaimShraga » Tue Mar 19, 2013 4:27 pm

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.
Positive Discrimination For White Wines!
http://2GrandCru.blogspot.com
no avatar
User

Bill Spohn

Rank

He put the 'bar' in 'barrister'

Posts

9458

Joined

Tue Mar 21, 2006 7:31 pm

Location

Vancouver BC

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

by Bill Spohn » Tue Mar 19, 2013 4:46 pm

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.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests

Powered by phpBB ® | phpBB3 Style by KomiDesign