General

 1997 Crozes Hermitage 'Domaine de Thalabert', Paul Jaboulet Aine
The Wine Society | B+

Bought en-primeur and since stored in the temperature controlled warehouse of The Wine Society.
Earthy, slight rusty and bloody nose, rustic; then tart red fruits, damson. Fresh acidity on the palate, red currants and raspberry dominated, soft red fruit, yielding and very fresh. Rather high acidity, lip smacking and fat. Needed a couple of hours to open up. Drink now.

Fonterutoli Chianti Classico, Mazzei  

vintage unknown, believed 1999

B+(+)

Ripe red cherry fruit on the nose, almost compote like; slight earthy and rusty note too; some violets too. Fresh on the palate, sour cherry and raspberry; lots of bright acidity and fruit still, tingling and vibrant, sustained mid palate, not big but has good length. Drying on the finish; not much tannins initially, but it builds over time. Fantastic balance and presence; a food wine. Needed a few hours to open up and loose its edginess; recorked, it was still drinking nicely one and two days after opening, losing a bit of the fresh acidity and gaining more sweet spices and bramble characters, quite remarkable. Drink now - 2017+.

1982 Churchill's Vintage Port

A-(+)

First vintage port made by Churchill's.

Red fruit on the nose, with roses and floral nature coming too, raspberry liquer; the volatile compounds are initially rather aggressive, turpentine and paint thinner. Palate has so much vibrant fruit, plummy and juicy; lots of spice off the bat, then sweet fruits with touches of mocha and dark chocolate. Long, lingering and spicy finish; tannins mostly resolved. Showing beautifully now but has enough to last a while, drink now - 2020+.