TNs: 82 Magdelaine + 85 Gruaud-Larose (for breakfast!)
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 12:54 pm
<b>1982 Château Magdelaine</b>
Light brown hues. Good clarity. Starting to show its age. Nose is all very fleshy aromas of plums and cherries and pomegranates. Not too complex but very elegant. Very nice actually. The palate is balanced, with good but not great length. A harmonious wine drinking at its peak. No hint of excess oak. 1st day some evidence of biting acidity. 2nd day the tannin made a subtle appearance. <b>Very Good 17.5 / 20</b>
<b>1985 Château Gruaud-Larose</b>
Had this one at 4am in the morning and through to breakfast after coming home from the A Perfect Circle concert at the Hordern Pavilion on Saturday night. In honour of the legendary Tool-frontman Maynard James Keenan’s side project, the noted wine lover who purchased THAT A$75,000 imperial of 98 Grange last year, I wanted to salute this rock-god. Great concert BTW. Mid reds with hints of brown. Stunning fragrant nose – sweet and flowery with violets. Classic cabernet. Ahh, this is why I love the 85s. In the mouth, elegant with very good length and balance. But perhaps lacking the requisite concentration to make it very special. At its peak. Different style to the Magdelaine and quality-wise, hardly anything separating the two. <b>Very Good 17.5 / 20</b>
Light brown hues. Good clarity. Starting to show its age. Nose is all very fleshy aromas of plums and cherries and pomegranates. Not too complex but very elegant. Very nice actually. The palate is balanced, with good but not great length. A harmonious wine drinking at its peak. No hint of excess oak. 1st day some evidence of biting acidity. 2nd day the tannin made a subtle appearance. <b>Very Good 17.5 / 20</b>
<b>1985 Château Gruaud-Larose</b>
Had this one at 4am in the morning and through to breakfast after coming home from the A Perfect Circle concert at the Hordern Pavilion on Saturday night. In honour of the legendary Tool-frontman Maynard James Keenan’s side project, the noted wine lover who purchased THAT A$75,000 imperial of 98 Grange last year, I wanted to salute this rock-god. Great concert BTW. Mid reds with hints of brown. Stunning fragrant nose – sweet and flowery with violets. Classic cabernet. Ahh, this is why I love the 85s. In the mouth, elegant with very good length and balance. But perhaps lacking the requisite concentration to make it very special. At its peak. Different style to the Magdelaine and quality-wise, hardly anything separating the two. <b>Very Good 17.5 / 20</b>