Domaine Louis Latour, Corton Grand Cru, Clos de la Vigne au Saint

Bonneau du Martray, Ghislaine Barthod, Clos des Lambrays and other Auction Steals (Alex's place) : How rare, another bottle from the same rare climat in Corton. This was a decently good rather than great wine, but at least it was worlds better than the truly mediocre Adrien Belland version that we drank alongside. The nose smelt of sweet, almost candied berries and cherries, with touches of earth, spice and bramble. Okay, if not exactly inspiring. I thought the palate was …

(Burgs w PaulS et al @AlexH's) [tasted alongside the 1983] Big perfume, sour cherries, indian spices + dirty plums. Inky, lifted with orange peel. chlorine?? not too sure.. if tad simple?

1976 - 1996 Pinot Noir (Tom's House, Palo Alto, CA) : Light bricking. Weird, chemical, cheesy, funky nose. So off-putting I didn't taste it. Waited at least an hour and it didn't blow off, so I marked flawed and even ranked it below the two corked wines. After the reveal, when I discovered that three people ranked it first, I returned and the odor had dissipated and it was much better. No additional notes. Strange. (my 10th, group's 7th)

Old Pinots Blindtasted (Tom's House, Palo Alto, California) : Group's #7 (my #1) – 91 pts.; 3, 0, 1, 1 - bricked medium red color with 1 millimeter clear meniscus; mature, strawberry jam, jam on toast, ripe berry nose; tasty, tart strawberry, mineral, dried cherry palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points