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28/10/2015

A Full Cycle

by Doug Rumsam (Director)
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A full cycle in the Chinese calendar is 60 years and that was what we celebrated recently. A life well lived, one full cycle down and many more years to come.

The wines were chosen for specific reasons – The ‘85 represented half a cycle, the ‘55 a full cycle, the pair of ‘89s as favourites of the birthday boy and the 1855, well, because that’s the ultimate indulgence: history.

1985 Krug Collection (in magnum)
Light toast, citrus touch. Still galloping along. Extremely fresh and lingering. Balanced and precise- out of magnum this just doesn’t miss a beat. (95 pts DR)

1955 Haut Brion
It’s easy to say with conviction when it's not blind, but the crowd said “unmistakably Haut Brion”. Incredible nose, leaps from the glass; rich with iron, saddle sweat, iodine and dark fruit. Follows a palate of fresh, soft fruit and lovely smoky finish. Pronounced smokiness and wild animal edge makes this a wine that sticks in the memory. (95 pts DR)

1989 La Mission Haut Brion
Fresh, airy aromatics. Prunes and stewed dark fruits lurk in the inner sanctum. Vibrant and lush fruit. Beautiful balance and the finish is stellar. (97pts DR)

1989 Haut Brion
Little reserved on the nose. Tighter knit than the La Mission and a little more density and chewiness. Purity of fruit and the balance between the weight and power of the wine and the glycerol texture is what puts this a hair in front of the La Mission. Real thoroughbred. (98+ pts DR)

1855 Scion
Incredible nose. Thick caramel syrup. Sensational aromatics, just flies out of the glass and different elements drift in and out. vanilla, molasses and butterscotch dominate. The acidity pulls this together and is the life force, really pushing the flavour to the back of the palette. We shouldn't even start on the length of this...I don't have enough space. Insanity. (98 pts DR)

Scion Port