Still shows some lovely primary redfruits, cassis, currants, quite tannic as well (characteristic of the 1986s I cellared), long, lingering finish, should show even better after my wife’s grilled lamb and my grilled steak come off the grill. I will say I was nervous when the final 1/8-inch of the cork severed off my old Ah-So cork puller, but not a problem!
Interesting sidebar — I purchased this upon arrival in 1989 at K&L in SF — by that time there were widespread reports of bad corks in Ducru from (at least) 1985 and 1986, so when I visited the shop I explained the situation and committed to purchasing 6 bottles, but only if I knew this batch didn’t have the cork problems — so, I said I’d pay for another bottle and we could open it together in the shop, I’d pay and also buy the other 6 bottles if it was NOT corked, and said if it was corked, then they’d pay for the opened bottle and I wouldn’t take the 6 other bottles — they agreed, we mutually tried the bottle then and there, no cork taint so I paid for 7 bottles total.
Telling the story in part because K&L has always been, IMHO, one of the classiest wine shops in the U.S., and they deserve credit agreeing to my deal (BTW, Wine Advocate had written about the cork taint issue within the preceding 3-6 months, so they were aware of the potential for it) — anyway, they’ve gotten a lot more of my business in the past 35+ years since!! — 9 days ago
Lovely candied redfruits, a bit sweet, medium-bodied, medium-long finish, solid Aussie Grenache. — 16 days ago
Clean, crisp red cherry fruit, soft tannins, some oak, nice balance, medium-long finish, solid Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County fruit. — 6 days ago
(9/22 Disgorgement) this is really fine, tight bubbles, medium-rich with lovely yeasty notes and excellent balance, long, lingering finish, very fine Champagne!! — 10 days ago
Ripe, sweet dark fruits, some mineral, really drinking well tonight, medium-long finish, very good. — 10 days ago
Sweet toffee, lovely citrus fruits, and dried Sunmaid raisins as well, suave, balanced, rich sweet flavors, such a lovely, easy-drinking sweet dessert wine, also Level 2 “Classic” like the Chambers from last night, excellent!! — 15 days ago
Merlot seems dominant in this blend, the Malbec providing a taut edge and some good structure, while the Cabernet Sauvignon is a bit soft and round. As our Aussie expert, @Bob McDonald, has stated in one of his notes on an earlier vintage, this seems made for early consumption, and at age 8, it’s ready.
However, for the life of me I cannot pick up the “Stinking Roger” (apparently an Aussie weed?) that @Bob McDonald referred to in that same note, but when I’m in Australia, given the sheer volume of nasty poisonous snakes they have, I don’t exactly crawl around on the ground looking for weeds that grow there (@Bob McDonald , no offense intended, you’ve become my “Go To” for Aussie wine information, but I never found any “Stinking Roger” (nor would I have a clue what it looks like or smells like)!)!! Cheers!! — 9 days ago
Lovely minerality up front, dark fruits, nice acid balance, goes very well with our fusilli pasta w/onions, garlic, capers, tomatoes, and olives. — 10 days ago
[This is the “Classic” level classification in Rutherglen, Level 2 out of 4 levels in increasing levels of concentration.] We first met Mr. Bill Chambers in 1989 at the winery, and tasted his INCREDIBLE dessert wines. We finally made it back in December of 2023, and sadly, Bill passed away about 6 weeks after our visit this time — RIP, Mr. Chambers, my only regret is that we cannot find this “Classic” level in the U.S.
Absolutely fabulous Muscadelle, smooth, super complex, this last visit to Rutherglen we realized the “Classic” level was our collective sweet spot, long, lingering finish, such a fantastic dessert wine!! — 16 days ago
Doug Powers
Black cherry and red cherry fruit, moderate oak, good weight and balance, medium-long finish, very good Russian River Pinot Noir. — 6 days ago