Red wines for 2 nights of fine dining

[Finney]

OK, last one...Reminder one night at Balzac and the next at Claudes...need a wine for each night for the 25th wedding anniversary...

Australian
94 or 98 - Mount Mary
94, 95, 96, 98 - Eileen Hardy Shiraz
97, 98, 02 - Rockford Basket Press
93 - Stonewell
96 or 98 - 707
96 or 98 - 389
90 - onwards Block 6
96, 98, 01 - St Henri
96 - Parker 1st Growth
98 onwards - St Peters
98 - Aberfedly
98 or 99 -
90 or 91 - Wynns Black Label
94 - Wynns Michael
00 or 01 Various Amarone
01 - Mount Edelstone
98 or 99 - Yalumba Signature
94 - Classic Clare Shiraz
98 - Majella
98 - Mount Pleasant Rosehill

French
00 - Chateau Laroze St Emilion
00 - Chateau Labegorce Margaux
00 - Chateau Soutard St Emilion
98 - Baron Pichon Paulliac
00- Les Tours des Longueville Paulliac
95 - Clos Labarde St Emilion
00 - Chateau cap De Mourlin St Emilion
00 - ChateauGaillard St Emilion
98 - Chateau La Louviere - Graves
00 - Chateau Soutard - St Emilion
00 - Chateau Labegorce Margaux

Italian
00 or 01 Various Amarone

Cheers

Finney

[monghead]

I'd be thinking the '98 Pol WC + '94 Quintet + Tokaji would be a very civilised combination. More for Claudes, with the subtler flavour profiles.

At Balzac, I'd be more inclined to go with the '98 Pol + '94 Wynns Michael + '02 Noble One. Richer, fuller flavours.

Have a great one...

Monghead.

[Mike Hawkins]

The 90 and 91 Wynns are both in a good place right now, but may not quite give the wow experience to accompany the cuisine.

Mike

[TiggerK]

I'm with monghead, his suggested combos would be very good. Might pay to take a backup red though, in case the cork gods aren't happy.

I'd maybe suggest Eileen Shiraz 95 as a backup to the Michael, and perhaps one of your favourite Frenchies for Quintet backup at Claudes.

Yum, congrats, and enjoy the weekend!
Cheers
TiggerK

[Red Bigot]

Take your own glasses to Claudes, unless they've recently updated their crappy pinot-style glasses.

[Finney]

Thanks Brian...Yep went there about 12-15 months ago and the glassware was OK but we did take and use our own....Will do again..

I would like input here all particularily on the french red front...Any thoughts?

Cheers

Finney

[monghead]

Finney, I've only had experience with the Pichon Baron. I tend to think they are good wines and certainly more savoury than the aussie cabs, but also alot more tannic. Sholud be ok to go now, but if this is your only bottle, I would hold onto it for another 5. The rest I am unfamiliar with, but the 2000's I think would be way too early, and the '95 from St Emillon should also be in it's drinking window, merlot predominant, and I think '95 was a good year for the right bank.

Cheers,

Monghead.

[GRB]

Congrat's to you and Julie Craig,

The only thing on that list I have had recently is the 95 Eileen which was exceptional, and the 98 St Peters which needs a bit more time yet.

Enjoy the celebration.

Glen