Last night I had two good friends over for a dinner and planned on opening and sharing a 1985 Chateau Mouton Rothschild. This was the first bottle of Chateau Mouton I’ve ever had, so it was exciting to try it.
Fill was around top neck, no obvious signs of seepage, so I was hopeful it was going to be great. Cork was completely saturated, but came out in one attempt (thankfully) but was moldy as hell.
Color check was a dark ruby, and the aroma was terrific which was a relief. We did not decant, just let the open bottle sit for about 30 minutes before pouring.
In the glass, it was a bit tight. More earth upfront, with hints of fruit, but as it evolved over the next hour, the nose was screaming out of the glass and it took on more of the standard Bordeaux notes I was hoping for – graphite, floral, dried fruit – it developed beautifully.
We sipped on this for the first course I made which was tuna tartare. We opened up a few other bottles (nothing nearly as rare) for the subsequent courses – carb cakes and mussels marinara. Topped the meal off with home made creme brûlée
Including photos of the food too, as I feel food and wine go hand in hand and it was just a fun night!
by southside_jim
2 Comments
Amazing. Isn’t sharing great bottles with friends the best? I wish to have something this special one day. You look like a great cook also.
I’ve had this wine. Lovely label. Lovely wine.
‘85 was a wonderful vintage in the Médoc. The wines were attractive in their youth (unlike the 86 vintage), suggested for early drinking. However those with patience have been greatly rewarded. I’ve been lucky enough to have quite a few wines from ‘85 & I have to say that from the great wines to the more modest, I have been impressed.
I had a couple of cases of Meyney ‘85. It was a marvelous wine of richness & complexity.
Other great wines I recall from ‘85 were Gruaud Larose, Talbot, Pichon Comtesse & Chasse-Spleen.
Glad you enjoyed it!