Having to make room in his cellar for some new bottles, a group of us were invited to lunch by Jojo who generously supplied all the wines.
Domaine Sainte Anne Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2004 - Viognier. Some slight oxidation. A little peachy. Dry and crisp. Slightly flawed by the oxidation.
Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc La Crau 2004 - Soft and fresh. Very good.
Escaravailles Heritage 1924 Rasteau 2005 - Nice nose but with a bit of a medicinal quality to it. A little hot. Ripe, soft, sweet. Modern-style. Very good.
Domaine Sainte Anne Les Mourillons Saint-Gervois 2003 - Plum liqueur-like nose. Soft and easy to drink. Not a lot of complexity. Straightforward wine but well-balanced. Very good.
Chateau Rayas Fonsalette 2001 - Leather, old books, earth. Good fruit. Very complex. This has softened sufficiently to be ready for drinking. Great stuff. Outstanding.
Clos du Mont Olivet Cuvee du Papet 1998 - Good nose. Soft and spicy. Dry fruit. Quite dry. Good but not that interesting.
Chateau Saint Cosme Gigondas Valbelle 1998 - Beautiful nose but still quite tannic. Could use a bit more time.
Domaine Janasse Chaupin 2000 - Spicy, medium weight. Indistinct nose. Didn't make much of an impression.
Mystery Wine - Some bricking on the edge. Good nose but this has some age on it. Quite dry. Some acidity on this. Tobacco. Some guesses were Burgundy, Right bank, Merlot. I thought it couldn't be Merlot due to the obvious acidity. I knew it was Bordeaux due to bottle shape although it was in a paper bag. I guessed Left Bank 1990. Turned out this was Chateau Calon Segur 1982. At least I got the side of the river right. This wine has passed its peak but has just started to decline. I would drink up if I had any.
For dessert we had:
Chateau Filhot Creme de Tete 1990 - Light copper color. Lovely, classic Sauternes nose. Honey. Beautiful balance. Brown sugar, marmalade. No heaviness at all. Mind-blowing stuff. Creamy, but the acidity provides balance. Endless length. This goes to 11. Filhot is only 2eme Cru in Sauternes but this Creme de Tete could outrank a few firsts.