TNs: 79 Lanson Noble and 90 Hill of Grace

[Baby Chickpea]

<b>1979 Lanson Noble Cuvée Champagne</b>
Lovely dark yellow –mid-yellow hues. Excellent. Bouquet is toast, vanilla, fresh and superb. I knew this was serious stuff. The palate is glorious. So young and creamy and “fluffy” like marshmallows. Some mature yeast and sensational length – one of the longest I have ever had. Hard to believe this is 24-years-old. So atypical too – I expected a huge behemoth food wine (like the equally stunning but in a different way 1981 Lanson 225th Anniversary Cuvée I had late last year) but this was almost tactile and light-bodied but with great concentration and persistence. Near perfect. Incredibly fine and persistent bubbles too. A truly great Champagne from an under-rated house. <b>Grand Vin! 19.5 / 20</b>

<b>1990 Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz</b>
Mid red with no browning. Rich and full and sumptuous bouquet. Lovely blackcurrants and vanilla and spice. Astounding length in the mouth. Extraordinary richness and sweetness of primary fruit (almost sensual). Abundance of dark brooding fruits, spice, coffee/mocha, vanilla – all in a seamless package. I don’t usually resort to hyperbole but here goes – wait for it - this is one of the five greatest Australian reds I have ever tasted (and that includes the incomparable 1971 Grange and legendary 1965 Lindemans Bin 3110 Hunter River Burgundy). I would love a taste-off with the 90 Grange. Clearly has many years to go but already drinking well. I’m sure it will improve further. Even our sommelier was left speechless (the best wine he had ever tasted was his response). This is the greatest Hill of Grace I have ever tasted and I’ve had several vintages. Not as youthful as the 82 Pichon-Lalande I had last night though. Does Aussie wine get better than this? GREAT wine. <b>Grand Vin! 19.5 / 20</b>

[JamieBahrain]

BC

Concur with the 90 HofG-if a great bottle does it get any better?

Getting harder and harder to track down too!

Cheers. Great notes.

[simm]

Now I'm really getting jealous, and by the sounds of it you are well qualified (judging by the range of wines you enjoy) to make such a claim. Bon voyage!

[Adair]

<b>1979 Lanson Noble Cuvée Champagne</b>
Lovely dark yellow –mid-yellow hues. Excellent. Bouquet is toast, vanilla, fresh and superb. I knew this was serious stuff. The palate is glorious. So young and creamy and “fluffy” like marshmallows. Some mature yeast and sensational length – one of the longest I have ever had. Hard to believe this is 24-years-old. So atypical too – I expected a huge behemoth food wine (like the equally stunning but in a different way 1981 Lanson 225th Anniversary Cuvée I had late last year) but this was almost tactile and light-bodied but with great concentration and persistence. Near perfect. Incredibly fine and persistent bubbles too. A truly great Champagne from an under-rated house. <b>Grand Vin! 19.5 / 20</b>

Hello Baby Chickpea - Love your notes. Thanks for posting them.

With regard to the Lanson, could you tell me whether this was from a single bottle or a larger format?

Thanks again,
Adair

[Baby Chickpea]

Yes Adair, it was a 750ml.