Costing under $30 back then, the 1988 Chateau Baron de Pichon-Longueville had 12.5% alcohol, and scored 18 points on the Dionysian scale of 20. A gold medal for this Second Growth Bordeaux. Perfect at 33 years old.

Sweet leather and cavendish tobacco filled the nose over mature black fruits. After decanting, the wine opened for another full hour. Soft with a long after-taste, the wine was worth the wait.

Served with beef tenderloin covered in a red-wine sauce with mushrooms. Perfect.

Having drunk so many old wines all year, I’m finding it hard to enjoy newly released reds and big Fruit-Bombs do nothing to aid a meal. Dionysian Archie Mazzoli used to say he loved old wines because they forced you to sip slowly and think about all the complexity that had developed. He had it right. If any non-members are interested in attending the October 2021 Annual Gathering of the Dionysians, contact me.In Vino Veritas.