2005 Leflaive Folatières, 1996 Haut-Brion, 1957 Pichon Longueville Baron

I was truly privileged to have been invited to a dinner on 22 March 2018 that was so exquisite in culinary taste and creation that it would easily have belonged to a multi-Michelin-starred establishment, except that it took place at home, prepared by the hostess herself. Paired with a short but excellent line-up of wines, not to mention yet another 1957 Ch Pichon Baron,  it was truly an evening to remember. The pictures do really say it all. Thank you very much for your kind generosity!

1995 Champagne Dom Pérignon Rosé. Dominant notes of grapefruit and peaches on the nose with a lovely lift, well replicated on the palate with additional notes of bitter lemon supported by stony saline minerals, rather dry, leading towards some degree of austerity at the finish.

2005 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières 1er. Reticent with faint whiffs of white flowers on the nose. Quite minerally on the palate, showing cool tones of icing with traces of vanillin, very relaxed in feel. I’d expected more from this producer but the reserved demeanour is probably a function of the vintage which requires extended ageing.

1957 Château Pichon Longueville Baron, courtesy of Dr Ngoi. Astonishingly, this is my third bottle of this particular wine in as many months, and the best of all three. Absolutely beautiful in its ruby brilliance and great purity of fruit, highly effusive in red plums and complex tangerines with a lovely lift while its entry on the palate is relaxed and gentle, its acidity still sublime amidst soft minerally textures, displaying good concentration, linearity and length. Perhaps neither quite as deep nor as complex as Pichon Baron from the best vintages but it’s freshness is amazing.

1996 Château Haut-Brion. Beautiful in color, glowing with dried mushrooms and herbs amidst a peppery bouquet, most lovely. Rounded and soft, tinged with camphor and exotic spices on the palate, fleshy with good detail, focus and linearity. Superbly balanced and relaxed, finishing with velvety svelte tannins. Excellent. Based on my recent experiences, the 1996 clarets, once so backward, have rounded the corner and are drinking superbly now.