I needed an antidote to the last two night’s 2004s. Rather something to banish the aromas and flavours of the Bouchard Père – it is a very rare occurence for me to tip wine away, but I really couldn’t face drinking the other half of that bottle. It seems that (today, at least!) I chose wisely!

1985 Joseph Drouhin, Gevrey-Chambertin
Medium amber-red colour. The nose, unlike previous bottles, has no oxidative references, just warm, sweet stewing/roasting fruits – perhaps a little sweet rhubarb compote! Clean, sweet fruit rolls over the tongue aided by understated, yet slowly mouth-watering acidity. There is the last vestige of tannin, but today is no more than a slight drag on the texture of the wine. Medium, but very tasty length. Relatively simple but very tasty and of-course mature as you like. In the end, this turned out to be a wine to drink quickly – after 40 minutes there was the flavour of something oxidative developing in the finish – never really more than an anecdote, but still something to focus on, rather than simply enjoy what was in the glass – but I managed to persevere!
Rebuy – Maybe