MNSC dinner - forgotten years

MNSC dinner. Theme was "the forgetten years of 1993 and 1997".

First pair:

1997 Les Carmes Haut-Brion - showed heavy smoke, earthiness, stewed prunes. Rather enjoyable and not bad. Good drinking wine.

1997 La Mission Haut-Brion - initially it smelled of "shit" that reminded me of Beaucastel, but this faded and fruit core emerged. Ended up drinking better than the Les Carmes.

Second pair:

1993 Ducru-Beaucaillou - I recognized this very quickly. It had a vegetal nose, and the fruit was somewhat subdued, but this could be a result of opeing 1 hour earlier than the other wines. Anyway, smooth on the palate, with lots of finesse. Typical Ducru.

1993 Lafite-Rothschild - initially smelled of wet rag, this faded and beautiful red fruits showed. Very, very nice indeed!

Third pair:

1997 La Gomerie - this was very nice, showing wet chalk initially but turning into sweet vanilla and fruit, with oak treatment that reminded me of New World wines. In fact this would be halfway between old and new world.

1997 La Fleur-Petrus - this was my first taste of this wine. Very nice, indeed. Stewed fruits, nice on the palate.