1985 Latour, Mouton and Haut Brion

Ok for the purpose of this experiment my opening blog subject was somewhat weak, ie: merely calling you fat, and your response was impressive, ie: talking about food and wine, so now I intend to redress the balance somewhat and comment on a little wine I tasted the other day. A mini flight of 85s namely 1st growth Bordeaux - Latour, Mouton Rothschild and Haut Brion. Not tasting these wines blind quite frankly is always difficult when you are aware of the label and the vintage but it is easier to think about these wines dispassionately when one, they are next to each other which is rare, and two more importantly you have'nt had to pay for it. So to the wines - all some 3 hours after decanting. In order of my preference last to first - the Mouton - Black cherry colour little rim fade fairly dense much like the Latour - on the nose sweet fruit touch herbacious but much more muted than the other 2 - balanced complete, mouth filling and expressive nice finish but not great length - really lovely Cabernet but showing quite one dimensional especially in present company - will it improve who knows - but dont drink it now certainly with only 3 hrs decanting - is this worth the price - umm no its good but come on - cool labels though adds at least 100 quid to the bottle. Latour - much more attractive on the nose but still noticably closed to me - brambley dark fruit with definate classic cedar and lead minerality - slighty lighter in body and silky texture superbly balanced and lovely long finish but seems still youthful and frustatingly beyond potential - returned to small glass 24hrs after decanting - on palette not cool but nose is soaring, brilliant warm velvety gorgeous and intense and quite frankly extremely exciting - at 25 years old you are commiting infanticide if you are drinking this wine - I Think And Haut Brion - bleedin brilliant - Paler than the other 2 with definate brick red hue - nose is just sexy - earthy undergrowth and roast coffee and tobacco - very savoury textured and touch smokey concentrated and complex with great depth very expressive and drinking much better than Latour and Mouton - this is a wine you just want to keep smelling rather than drinking - balanced and poised fantastic finish and very long - i think i want to cry - drink now if you can find it and afford it but sure will happily keep improving for some time to come - I Think One things for sure - seeing 3 1st growths together at 25 years old from a top vintage there is undoubtably a huge difference stylistically between them and the numptys that can afford to buy these wines invariably drink them too young - from these bottles the Haut Brion stood out a mile is ready and is great - the Latour is obviously great but not ready, not sure when - and the Mouton not looking great and who knows - ether way learning a greater appreciation of the the stupidly priced Bordeaux's - over to you Fat Boy