Larry and I happened to have the luck of going to a restaurant where the next table was doing a Chave Vertical, and we were offered mooch samples...how could we say no?? I'm sure there will be notes on eBob but since I'm also sure my impressions will be different so here goes...
(All Rouge)
1978 - earth and sticks, good now but this bottle might be seeing the backside of the hill. Pleasant, though - for those who can deal with the lack of fruit.
1988 - tasted with the 1989, more funk and mushroomy earth but delicious.
1989 - near perfect for me. Just outstanding wine. Drinking great now or hold a while, it's all good.
1990 - More blocky than the 1989, showing a little more oak(?). The "tasting table" loved this, I thought it was good but I'd take the 1989 and probably the 1988 over it.
1995 - Unresolved, tight and fruity. Seems like it has the stuff but I wouldn't touch it for a while.
1996 - More resolved than the 1995 but still a little primary for me. Probably not one for the ages but it will be fine in a few years.
1998 - not tasted
2001 - A little thinner and more astringent than the 1995/1996 pair, and showing more acidity. Definitely needs time.
2003 - This wine made us laugh out loud. It's not Chave, it's not Hermitage. It could have been made anywhere. Who took my Chave wintergreen and replaced it with Aussie chocolate, caramel and buttered popcorn? This would have fit in well with last weeks tasting that included Shafer "Relentless" and some other scary wines. Truly frightening. Run away.
In all, very enjoyable and much better than the wines we picked off the list ...1990 JJ Prum Spatlese was nice, but not outstanding - and 1993 Paul Pernot "Les Carelles" was interesting but not anywhere near in the Chave's league.
Thank you, Josh! It was great to be able to try all of those wines together.
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