TN of sorts '87 Fixin

Mongeard-Mugneret, 13% US$14.99 (I guess from Brookline Liquors way back when), a Robert Haas import.

Got back from a few nights work in Paris late this afternoon, then it's my turn to take the kiddie relay as Adele is off to Grenoble on an early train tomorrow. All this an excuse to open something older, with an easy fire-grilled entrecote and broccoli.

(An aside: the joint I was working at had a good selection of BiB by the glbutt, and were unusually musician friendly, meaning I tried most of it. This really is a good way to handle the by the glbutt crowd, and at least in Europe there's a fine selection available. I look forward to my next stint there, nice folks.)

I really didn't have a lot of hope for the Fixin. '87 was at best mediocre. 18 years would be old for a Fixin under most any circumstances. What's more, this bottle survived my father-in-law's basement -- many the good claret, alas, was less fortunate -- took a cross country truck trip, and did the Panama Canal (albeit in winter) as a senior citizen. Not exactly a recipe for success, but I figured that with low expectations I'd at least free up a rack slot. And, it being late, I had to mistreat it further. Yes, I admit it: I nuked it in the microwave. Just a little.

Anyway, it was really quite nice. Color very brick, a lovely mature pinot nose, a bit restrained. Fruit fading a bit in the mouth, but still nicely balanced, that Fixin meat and fat structure, with just enough tannins left to support it. A tad short, fair enough, but a very pleasant trouble free tipple.

For those interested in the opinions of the younger generation, read on. 7 year old thought it smelled "intensely grapey" (she pretty much identifies olfactively with grapes) and a taste "brings tears to my eyes," presumably a reference to 13%. Well OK, she prefers whites. 5 year old tasted and yelled "oozing charm!" a reference to My Fair Lady and high praise indeed. Thus, a split decision.

Bottom line, if you're foolish enough to be holding '87 Fixin, don't despair, but do drink up. It might just surprise you.

-E

-- Emery Davis by removing the well known companies