I attended the weekly free tasting at 3-C Chateau Cash & Carry on Saturday, 06 December 2008. 3-C is a wholesaler located just on the outskirts of Paris in the suburb of Malakoff on 166 Avenue Pierre Brossolette. This was quite a momentous occasion for sure, marking my first ever tasting of a Petrus and a d’Yquem. As Petrus is adorned by many as the most prestigious bottling of wine on the planet and d’Yquem is considered to be the epitome of sweet wine, I must admit that I was a little nervous going into this tasting. Miki San was going to join me but she had to cancel, very regrettably, at the last minute in order to focus on school work. December’s been a crazy month in the MPA!
Bottle Numero Uno: Petrus
Appellation: Pomerol, Bordeaux
Vintage: 1995
Blend: 95% merlot, 5% cabernet franc
Price: $1,398 current auction price ($650 release price)
Method: 3-C small tasting glasses, freshly opened bottles
Eye: mahogany brownish red
Nose: fresh black fruit, leather, light earth, plums, prunes, cedar box
Palate: strong bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, coffee, plum, prunes, cassis, leather, silky texture
Conclusion: This was a great wine; however, naturally due to its iconic, legendary and mind boggling status, I was slightly disappointed. I was expecting to be emotionally paralyzed by the moment and I certainly wasn’t. Nonetheless, a Petrus certainly respects subtlety over shock and awe, and I imagine that this bottle’s elegance and nuances will continue to develop over the next couple of decades.
Kenny’s Rating: 17/20
Here’s what the pros had to say…
Wine Spectator 97 rating:
“This is like a genie in the bottle. Fascinating yet subtle aromas of blackberry, minerals, fresh flowers and Spanish cedar. Full-bodied, with wonderful layers of ultrafine tannins. It coats your mouth and tantalizes your palate. A gorgeous thing all around.–’95/’96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2010. 3,200 cases made. –JS”
Robert Parker 95 rating:
“The 1995 is another legendary effort, rivaling what Petrus created in 1989 and 1990. The production was extremely small, with yields of under 40 hectoliters per hectare, and only 3000 cases produced (as opposed to the normal 4500 cases). It reminds me of a modern day clone of the 1975 given its massive richness, formidable power, and huge, mouthfilling personality. The wine possesses layers of concentrated fruit, an opaque purple color, high alcohol, great ripeness, low acidity, and a mouthsearing tannin level. This should turn out to be a nearly perfect Petrus for drinking between 2005-2035. Because he is a reference point for both Bordeaux and California, it is fashionable to criticize Christian Moueix and his bevy of top estates, but he has clearly fashioned a great 1995.”
The Grand Finale: Chateau d’Yquem
Appellation: Sauternes, Bordeaux
Vintage: 1995
Blend: 80% semillon, 20% sauvignon blanc
Price: $300
Method: 3-C small tasting glasses, freshly opened bottles
Eye: honey golden
Nose: lots of stewed prunes, fresh minerality, raisins, apricots, white peach, a compelling light custard muffin background, a third tier spice element, fleshy
Palate: again with the stewed prunes, honey, a smooth, thick and silky texture, sticks to the palate, a never-ending finish of dried apricots and prunes
Conclusion: This wine was simply delicious. An absolutely peaceful and hedonistic nose, almost Zen like. Probably the best thing that’s ever been in my mouth.
Kenny’s Rating: 19/20
Anecdote: After the tasting, the dried apricots and prunes followed me all the way to Haruka’s house where I prepared for the night’s soirée, the first official MPA Christmas Party, hosted by Cynthia at her house in the 15ème of Paris. I’ve never seen so many bottles of Champagne in my life. Great company, great food, and tons of fun! Bravo Cynthia and Nick!
