1985 Barca Velha

Monday night I was fortunate enough to taste these...

Breuer Berg Schlossberg 1994
Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Kabinett 2001
Coche Drury Bourgogne Rouge 1997
Barca Velha 1985
Azienda Agricola Sella Lessona 1979
Oddero Barolo 1967
Gouges Nuits St George Vaucrains 1er 1993
Chevillon Nuits St George Ronciers 1er 1999
Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Vendages Terdives 1990

A simply breathtaking lineup that even now leaves me speechless just writing it. All were amazing. The Germans were beautiful- tight, still tons of acid and an excellent starter.

The Coche...who knew Coche blows it out of the water in reds as well? The second greatest Bourgogne Rouge I've ever tasted (the first was the 2001 Jayer-Gilles Haute Cote de Nuits).

The Lessona...we didn't even know what Lessona was? We just knew this old very important importer had brought it in (TresBon) and it was amazing. Very Ferrando Caremma-like.

We initially thought the Oddero was slightly over the hill, but it came back to life and showed excellent once it got its legs underneath it. Very floral for such an old wine.

Both the Gouges and the Chevillon were freakin off the radar. These are what Burgundy is all about. Power. Depth. Tannin. Nuits has no Grand Crus in it primarily because Gouges helped build the Grand Cru system back in the late '30s and convinced many of his fellow growers that the system was good for all by placing no vineyards with Grand Crus status in his home town of Nuits. But, if Nuits were to have Grand Crus these (Vaucrains and Ronciers) would be up for consideration. Amazing Grand Cru level quality.

And a beautiful finish with the Freddy Emile.Again, like the Germans, still racy and incredibly young. Petrol honey everywhere........

But, the wine of the night was the '85 Barca Velha. Arguably one of the greatest red wines I have ever tasted in my life. Think Hermitage, crossed with old Tondonia from Lopez, crossed with Conterno Barolo. To try and describe it in writing would be impossible. If you can get your hands on any older Barca Velha- do so! And what a great example to prove to us all that singular age worthy wines don't always have to come from the classical regions. As it was said at the table- this Barca is deserving of being on the same table as top older Petrus, Chave Hermitage, and/or Montfortino. Simply put: a profound wine experience.