2000 Chave x3

Lunch at Petrus.

2000 Chave Hermitage Blanc - lovely nose with some toasty notes, but not too heavy.  Very aromatic with honeysuckle, a little sweet, honey, lemon citrus.  After 1½ hours still lovely, with heavier toasty notes.

2000 Chave Hermitage Rouge - decanted 2 hours prior to serving.  Initially rather closed with a hint of sweetness on the nose.  Some ripe prunes, a bit of leather and surprisingly high acidity on the palate.  Three hours after decanting showed more smoke.  Three and a half hours after showed more leather and violet notes.

2000 Chave Ermitage Cuvée Cathelin - decanted 3 hours prior to serving.  Still closed at first, with a little smoke.  A little minty after 4 hours, and finally started to open up 4½ hours after decanting with some floral notes.  Very smooth on the palate.  Started to show some coffee notes 5½ hours after decanting.  A nice wine, but not stunning.

1969 Mas Amiel Maury, from bonbonne - initially the nose was really savory, almost like mahua (麻花) that's been coated with sugar.  On the palate it was still very nutty, date-like, very rich and unctuous.

Full post on lunch is here.