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Volnay '60 Ouvrees'..... Ch. Palmer.....


9-Feb-2001

It's been a long time since we had the traditional Chez Nous with our good friends and wine-partners Amihai and Dafna. Just the four of us. A lovely evening with excellent wines and great food (Dorit really outdid herself this time).

Humus soup and shrimps
1990 Volnay - Caillerets '60 Ouvrees', Pousse d'Or
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Filo pastry filled with Jamon and cheese, topped with roasted peppers
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Roast of Prime Rib with dauphinee potatoes and artichoke
1983 Chateau Palmer
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Grilled strawberries in Cointreau and whipped-cream



Volnay - Caillerets '60 Ouvrees' 1990 Pousse d'Or

2/2001. Bought at auction Jan-97 for $45.
'Clos des 60 Ouvrees' is a monopole sub-plot of the Caillerets vineyard in Volnay. It is the pride and flagship wine of the Domaine de la Pousse d'Or [an 'ouvree' being an old land measure representing the amount of vines harvested by one worker in a single day]. The wine made from this site by Mr. Potel, the domaine's celebrated winemaker, is among the best produced in the Cote de Beaune.
COLOR: Medium-full Burgundy red, with some clearing around the rim.
NOSE: Forward complex yet minor-keyed nose of ripe red fruits, earthy tones and an elegant 'Bourgogne Nose' robe around it. The unique fruity aromas of the 1990 vintage are immediately identifiable here, as are the deep, velvety elements of the Volnay terroir.
TASTE: Nothing low-keyed here! The vibrant - yet fully mature - fruit is mouthfilling. The concentration and winyness is all over the palate. Bolder and more expressive than the usually more feminine Volnays. A pleasure to sip.
LENGTH: Long finish with ripe fruity aftertaste.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Medium-full body (In Burgundy terms). Concentrated, mature wine that is full of flavors. Lush yet elegant, with a firm backbone. Good acidity, soft tannins and the excellent fruit all combine to give a very well balanced wine.
OVERALL: Very Fine. A really good Cote de Beaune Premier Cru. At its peak now.
MARK: 18/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.


Chateau Palmer 1983 Margaux

2/2001. Bought at auction May-96 for $115.
My last of four bottles I've had of this magnificent wine. I haven't tasted many other Palmer vintages. But from what I hear, the 1983 is among the very best ever produced at the chateau.
COLOR: Deep dark core color with beautiful lighter hues depending on the light. Noticeable clearing around the rim and some sediment at the bottom.
NOSE: Profound deep semi-sweetish aromas of ripe plums, chocolate, cedar and tobacco. Forward and fully open, the nose conveys a beautiful mixture of primary and secondary aromas.
TASTE: Seductive, silky and exquisitely elegant. Complex multiple flavors, ripe fruit, round tannins and reasonable concentration. A touch of dryness at the finish does not distract from the total experience this wine gives.
LENGTH: Medium-long finish that is vibrant but a bit dry.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Medium-bodied velvety-textured wine. Classy, elegant and very complex. Deep fruit, medium concentration, nice acidity and round tannins. Perfectly balanced.
OVERALL: Superb! Perhaps a touch drier than I remember. For my taste at least this wine will not benefit from further aging.
MARK: 18.5/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.


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Jacob "Yak" Shaya.