17th October 2009
Last evening I opened this bottle of 1982 Roche aux Moines from the Soulez brothers. We must have bought it somewhere in London in the mid 1980s and have held onto it ever since. It was served at slightly below cellar temperature and I decanted it just before pouring to give a chance to open out. I should probably have decanted it a bit earlier.
Very light gold giving no indication from the colour that this wine is now about 17 years years. Initially marked iodine and petrol aromas with considerable similarities to Riesling. While still fresh the nose gives more indication of its age, on the palate a strong mineral character and an austere, dry finish. This 1982 opened up in the glass becoming softer, less austere with a hint of honey. If we had more bottle of this I'd be very happy to keep this for another ten years easily – probably more. A lovely bottle and a reminder that these wines should be served just cellar cool.
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There are a series of 2009 vintages reports on The Tasting Room blog here.
