LeDomduVin: When the opportunity presents itself - Palmer 2009 and Lafleur 2008

When the opportunity presents itself.

The other day, I served a small group of cigar enthusiasts in one of our private rooms. It was an evening of cigars, wines, snacks, and karaoke.

Usually, for cigar evenings, I like to serve aromatic, flavorful, deep, and powerful wines, so that the aromas and taste of the wine are not masked by the smoky smell and taste of the cigar.

In general, Pauillac and Pomerol wines go well with cigars. Their richness and complexity complement those of the cigars.

However, that evening, I decided to open a Margaux: Chateau Palmer 2009.

Margaux is definitely not my go-to choice when it comes to pairing wine and cigars. Usually, Margaux wines are too fine, light, and delicate; they fade rapidly when paired with the cigar.

But those who know the 2009 vintage from Chateau Palmer know that it is a great wine, harmonious and rich in ripe dark fruit, with amplitude, richness, complexity, and thickness, with an endless finish, which can definitely tolerate cigars, or even enhance them.

It was a wise choice, and I was very satisfied with it.

Suddenly, one of the guests asked me if I had a 2008 wine because it was a special vintage for her.

I told her, "I'll check." I ran to the cellar. I didn't have much choice in stock. It was either a bottle of “La Fleur-Petrus” or one of “Lafleur". Two beautiful wines from Pomerol. I took both bottles.

Back in the private room, I decided to open the bottle of Lafleur Pomerol 2008. After all, when the opportunity presents itself, why not?

First of all, because I love this wine. And, since the price was apparently not a problem, might as well treat myself and taste a wine I don't open very often.

Although Lafleur 2008 is lighter in taste and texture and slightly more advanced in age than Palmer 2009, it is no less aromatic or complex. It has tertiary aromas and a rustic, earthy feeling that I like. The lingering finish is delightful.

Despite their differences, one is bold and powerful, and the other is medium-bodied and heartier yet refined and elegant; both these wines work wonders with the cigars!

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin @chateaupalmer @chateau_la_fleur #palmer #lafleur #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob #wineyearly #lovewine 

LeDomduVin: Classic Trio - Selosse / Leflaive / Haut-Brion

Classic Trio

In the world of wine, there are unmistakable names, flagships of their appellations, such as Selosse, Leflaive, and Haut-Brion.

I like to select, open, and taste these wines periodically. This allows me to see their evolution and their aging potential.

I have opened these wines several times over the last three years, and I have to admit that I never get tired of them. They always give me so much pleasure every time.

Jacques Selosse V.O "Version Originale" Blanc-de-Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Extra Brut NV

It still delivers charm, character, intensity, complexity, and concentration with finesse, elegance, and beautiful minerality. Loved it.

Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Pucelles" 2017

This wine is sentimental to me. Leflaive “Les Pucelles” was the first Puligny-Montrachet that I ever tasted. In 1997, I was working as a young Sommelier in a private club in London (Monte's on Sloan Street), and a customer ordered this bottle. It was a 1992 or 1993 vintage; I don't know anymore. It was a revelation, and I have loved this wine ever since. This 2017 combined elegance, freshness, zestiness, and minerality. Some may say it is a bit tight and lean, but it is just a question of taste. I liked it.

Chateau Haut-Brion Premier Grand Cru Classe Graves 2016

I know, I repeat myself, but Haut-Brion is my favorite Bordeaux wine. Over the last three years, I have opened many bottles because I love this wine so much. It has remained quite consistent and has not really evolved. It has opened up a little and seems more approachable now. That said, it is still a very young wine, which will satisfy those who have the patience to let it flourish in the cellar for a few more years. Once again, it was really superb.

There are those who make good wine and those who make great wine. These three wines undoubtedly belong to the latter category.

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin @domainejacquesselosse #jacquesselosse #champagne @domaineleflaive #domaineleflaive #burgundy @chateauhautbrion_ #hautbrion #bordeaux #classicwine #tastingnotes #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob #wineyearly

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2024, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Latour 2005 vs Latour 2009

Latour 2005 vs Latour 2009

It is not every day that I open two bottles of the same Chateau in different vintages, especially one of my favorite First Growths.

Comparing two vintages of Chateau Latour, such as 2005 and 2009, is tricky as both have similarities. Yet, they are distinctively and intrinsically different.

Both were solar vintages with high temperatures and dry, hot growing seasons, which produced ripe, rich, layered, and concentrated wines.

These conditions could have resulted in high alcohol, unbalanced, or cooked wines.

Fortunately, some cool nights and enough rain at the right time provided juiciness, balance, and freshness while preventing drought and overripeness, resulting in wines combining complexity and depth with great aging potential.

Ultimately, 2005 was an excellent vintage that produced some fantastic wines, while 2009 is considered a legendary vintage that produced stellar wines.

This might explain the 200+ Euro price difference between the two. On Wine Searcher, Chateau Latour 2005 starts at around 680 Euros, and Latour 2009 starts at around 870 Euros, and it shows in the glass.

Although both displayed a dark color, undoubtedly due to their age difference, the aspect of the 2005 seemed lighter, more medium-deep ruby color with slightly more advanced nuances, while the 2009 was of a darker ruby red with some purple touch.

The difference between the two wines was quite significant on the nose. The 2005 was soft, gentle, discreet, and sophisticated. It displayed attractive aromas of red and dark berries, cassis, graphite, coffee, and licorice, with earthy, spicy, and floral hints. On the other hand, the 2009 was bold, powerful, and confident. It boasted dark berries, blackberries, and mocha aromas, with hints of toasted oak and chocolate.

These differences appeared even more evident on the palate. Although complex, balanced, sophisticated, and finely chiseled, the 2005 seemed lighter and dryer than the 2009, which was rich, opulent, juicy, and chewy. It had plenty of dark ripe fruits, excellent balance, and concentration, expanding nicely to the lingering finish.

I loved them both despite their differences, yet I found the 2009 more pleasurable to my palate. My advice: don’t open and drink them side by side, as it might alter your opinion about the 2005, which is also a superb wine yet slightly less expressive than its younger sibling.

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin @chateau latour #chateaulatour #latour #latourpauillac #pauillac #bordeaux #redwine #grandcru #premiergrandcru #firstgrowth #tastingnotes #winecomparison #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob #wineyearly

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2024, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).