Boxing Day with Family

[jrufusj]

At a casual Boxing Day gathering of mostly non-wine geek types. Among the array of ordinary Chilean merlot and Aussie shiraz, two interesting wines were opened.

1997 Château Léoville Barton - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

Undecanted/unaerated.

Still a fairly deep reddish color, solid throughout. Nose of a little sweet oak, some cassis and a little herb. With time (a little) slight notes of plum and dried leaf. Didn't get a lot of time, but don't expect much was developing. Palate was surprisingly sweet, but not large or round. Tannins noticeable but not intrusive, acid very slight. Finish okay, but light overall. Not quite watery...but definitely a little dilute. Perfectly enjoyable for current casual drinking and okay for the vintage, but nothing to get excited about.

1998 Domaine Jacques-Frederic Mugnier Musigny - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny

Opened spur-of-the-moment by a friend. Well cellared, but served without benefit of any aeration.

Color from the side is deep, rich burgundy. Against light from below, showing a little lighter at the edges and brightish red toward the center. Upon opening, simple nose of a wee bit of barnyard, dark cherry fruit, a little sweetness, some earth. With time in glass (it got a little over an hour total), nose expanded to include floral elements, more earth, a little cool mineral. Initial impression on the palate of underlying tannin, front of mouth fruit. Mid-palate was more wood than usual from Mugnier and a little devoid of fruit, but back of palate and finish were pure exploding Musigny. Again, with time in glass the mid-palate filled out a little. As a drink for today, was perfectly enjoyable, but didn't offer up what producer and the vineyard can. But the way the nose opened and the finish exploded...this one's got a lot more to offer when given its due time. Really enjoyed it, but glad it wasn't mine opened at this age.

Jim