Credits: Article and images by Ken Gargett @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/05/08/yalumba-wines-175th-celebration-museum-tasting-domaine-de-la-romanee-conti-chateau-dyquem-and-many-more-outstanding-wines/
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I remember Christian Pol Roger attending one of the Museum tastings, some years ago. He brought with him their 1914, which needless to say, drank gloriously. He did mention that it was a difficult vintage, as during harvest, “the Boche were rudely marching through the Somme”. Not a hassle current winemakers often encounter (although Chateau Musar in Lebanon might disagree – and Musar is one of the wineries imported by Negociants).
Tastings often include some stunning aged Rieslings from the Eden Valley as well as older examples of their premium Viognier, the Virgilius. Egon Muller, the great German producer that we have looked at previously, is another that usually makes an appearance. This time, an astonishing magnum of their flagship Riesling, the Scharzhofberger Auslese 1988.
Giaconda, a local cult winery which is one of the great Chardonnay producers from this country, is a regular, whether it be a Chardonnay like the 2011 at this latest event, or their Aeolia Roussanne from some years ago.
Past events have even seen vinous gems like the Penfolds Bin 60A 1962, well covered here.
This time, DRC also made an appearance amongst the whites with their fabled Montrachet from 2004, one of the wines of the day. It was in a trio including the 2011 Giaconda, far from disgraced, and a lovely 1999 Bonneau du Martray Corton Charlemagne.
Among the many eye-popping reds at this most recent event, the 1985 Vega Sicilia Unico Riserva was a particular favorite. Spain’s most famous red worked its magic. Other stars included the 1999 Rayas, a drink-on-bended-knee 1990 Lafite, the 1985 Sassicaia, which for many is the greatest Italian red ever made, and a pair of sublime DRC La Tache, 1985 and 1999 – it does not get better than that.
Of these, only the Sass was a little disappointing. One bottle was very good, but not as stellar as it can be, the other just a touch corked (if this day didn’t convince winemakers and consumers of the benefits of screwcap ahead of tree bark then nothing will). I have tasted the 1985 Sass on two previous occasions and both times it was a 100-point wine without question.
Space prevents inclusion of many of the mind-blowing wines from the day.
Finally, a wonderful magnum of Yquem 1999, an even more glorious magnum of 1977 Warres Vintage Port (as good as I have ever seen it drink) and last of all, a real curiosity, Yalumba’s 1923 Port (a form of local Colheita, a vintage tawny if you like). It was 100 points any day of the week.
Sadly, no Christian as the wonderful man passed away a few years ago, and no 1914, but the House kindly forwarded three bottles of their 1921, a stunning year, which was disgorged in 2013. It drank magnificently and was ample recognition of the high regard and respect that Robert, his family, his team, and his winery are held around the world.
For mor information, please visit www.yalumba.com/
You might also enjoy:
Yalumba The Caley 2014: An Aussie Classic From The Barossa Valley
Viognier Wines: Genuinely Unique Takes On This Rare, Resurrected Grape Variety
Sparkling Wine From Tasmania: Not Yet Champagne Level, But Very Close
Penfolds Bin 60A 1962: Australia’s Greatest Wine Ever (Or Certainly A Serious Contender)
The World’s Best Wine? No Contest: Romanée-Conti by Domaine De La Romanée-Conti
Credits: Article and images by Ken Gargett @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/05/08/yalumba-wines-175th-celebration-museum-tasting-domaine-de-la-romanee-conti-chateau-dyquem-and-many-more-outstanding-wines/