Miguel L's profile

2001 Bourgneuf
Auction purchase, held 8 months. Deep, dark, reflective blue, red rim. A terroir-driven nose of iron, clay and violets. Lean and a little green on first service, but filled out nicely with ample aeration, red fruit showing through. In fact, the second night is richer still, and things smooth out considerably. Becoming full-bodied, very enjoyable to drink. Medium-long high-toned finish. Rare to find Pomerol under $35, let alone one as enjoyable as this. Drink or hold 5yrs

1981 Margaux
Auction purchase, cork did its job, only just! Quiet nose, so gave it slow oxygen for 6 hours, no decant. Translucent ruby. Earthy barnyard aromas cleared out to reveal a fading garden of violets and worn saddle. Such evolved texture and integrated tannins, completely at ease in retirement. Long finish. All depends on the bottle at this point. A pleasure with an herb-roasted boneless leg of lamb.

1995 Meo-Camuzet - Clos de Vougeot
Another '95 Burg playing above the rim. Thoroughly enjoyable auction bottle. Cork in great shape. Mature red brick hue. Evolved aromas of fine maduro tobacco, leather and damp earth wafted through the room when poured at dinner. Medium-full, engaging attack. Captivating on its own, don't miss it as a superb companion to mushroom ravioli and poulet with a rich truffle sauce (thank you Gilmore's BYOB, amazing culinary bargain). This Grand Cru is at a very good place now. Held form during the two hours it lasted, a respectful moment of silence when the glasses were finally removed.

2002 Latour, Louis - Montrachet
Auction purchase. Cork a touch loose, the cap not spinning, but wine appears fine and stands up for several hours. Pale straw color, glass-coating weight. Substantial in the glass. Hints of vanilla, apricot, nutmeg, and toast, complex and evolving. You can't say creamy/buttery, the mineral character refutes any sign of heavy-handedness. But like another application of clear coat on a Jag, the colors are brilliant, deeper, more resilient. Recommend an hour+ aeration, as the oxygen brings forward more power and dimension. Extremely long finish. More developmental time in the bottle, it's not peaking yet. The last glass is even better than the first

2000 Durfort-Vivens
Leave for a couple more years. Aromatically interesting floral, pine forest and mineral notes after decanting for two hours. It does stretch out in the glass, signaling continued development, which is encouraged. Is it taut and lean, or a touch under-ripe? Medium bodied, higher toned, but more should be possible -- come on, this is the 2000 vintage, a 2nd Cru Classe..., vineyards close to Brane Cantenac. A $35 wine, definitely under-performing its pedigree and potential.