Sotheby's pre-auction tasting

Tasting at Sotheby's.

1975 Mouton-Rothschild - smoky, earthy.  Smooth on palate.

1986 Faiveley Chambertin Clos de Bèze - very green and vegetal.  Bouchonée.

1985 Faiveley Chambertin Clos de Bèze - beautiful and open, pretty rich, with bacon fat notes.  Kinda sweet on the palate.  Very nice.

1985 Faiveley Mazis Chambertin - not bad, but less enjoyable compared to the Clos de Bèze.

1982 Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises - very mature, oxidized, with Chinese licorice and apricot notes.  Nice medium acidity on the palate but sharper finish.

1962 Vega Sicilia Unico - a little minty, exotic herbs, a little smoky.  Noticeable acidity on the palate.

1988 Armand Rousseau Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint Jacques - nice and open, a little cloudy and not as clean, sweet on the palate with an acidic finish.  Not bad at all.

1978 Mouton-Rothschild - spicy green peppers, smoky, a little savory and mineral, soy sauce.

1982 Lynch-Bages - a little smoky, slightly green, not the best condition.

1982 Ducru-Beaucaillou - vegetal and green pepper.  Slightly earthy and smoky.  Not the best bottle.

Dinner at Carnevino.

2004 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Santa Caterina D'Oro Vigna di Pianrosso - good fruit, a little smoky, slightly alcoholic, with pine needle and grilled meat notes.

1986 Cos d'Estournel - very classic.  Smoky and earthy.  Pretty smooth on the palate but still good concentration.