Awesome! I have been loking at the Rhône valley again and both JL Chave and Chateau Rayas in the South and Jamet and Guigal in the North seem very intriguing and worth seeking! Cheers
What a lineup- all producers that I've dreamed of trying buy never had! Also, that corkscrew at the end is not an Ah-So. It is a Durand, which combines a corkscrew and Ah-So together. Works great for older corks.
Looks like a fun night for sure! Bollinger VVF I've only had in a 1989 - It is a Top Tier Blanc de Noir - Had my VVF 1989 in 2001 when it was just $225 then, today its like $2500 a bottle. Rayas never had yet and Hermitage from the master Chave should be good despite a small vintage. Yquem is always good, but lately I have found myself prefering them younger rather than older, but love both styles.
1961 in Yquem/Sauternes is not a big wine like the red Bx are for 1961, 1967 or 1959 are way better for example. I've never had 1961 Yquem myself but friends tell me that 59 and ofc 67 beats it by miles.' So if you felt disappointed by the "1961" aura (which i undestand as a red bx fan), then that could explain this. Sauternes for me has been nearly unkillable, had 1914 and 1918 bottles of non Yquem bottles, all good, so IDK if the half bottles really matter, maybe the 66 was just an off bottle?
barath: I think whole vs half bottles, particularly when you are talking about older wines makes a huge difference. I agree...the 59 and 67 D'Yquem are standouts but we are just being picky now. Each D'Yquem I have had is exceptional. For me, the point scores just let me put wines in order of preference in my mind. Not necessarily that I was disappointed by the 1961...it is always an amazing experience to drink an older wine. Cheers!
