26 years old, not a wrinkle.

Of course it's not me I am talking about.

I'm talking about someone special. Someone I met quite a while ago, during a dinner party at my parents' house in the Alps.

I'm talking about one of my first experiences as a wine lover.

I'm talking about Château La Lagune, 1983.

My dad introduced me to wines when I was fairly young. He was a wine amateur himself and decided his kids should enjoy the luxury of tasting good wines when the occasion came up.

At that time, I wasn't really interested in wines. Diet coke or Snapple were more like it for me.

But on that evening, my dad decided I should be granted the pleasure of tasting the delicious wine he and his guests were savoring.

So he introduced me to it. Told me it was a wine as old as me.

In fact, he had bought because it was my birth year (how I regret my mother didn't put a little more pressure on my dad to have a child earlier ; I could have been from 1982 ... the year of the century !).

My father took all the time necessary to explain to me this wine was from Haut-Medoc, one of the greatest wine making regions in the world. Bordeaux. A name of earth, water and stone. A name of dignity and magnificence.

I realize now that at that very moment, my father tried to convey to me the sublime of wine tasting.

I got closer to the divine beverage. I inhaled its aroma. Dipped my lips lightly.

Disgusting.

I hated it. I thought I was drinking cough medicine.

But then again, I was 13.

Now I am 26. I've discovered the joys of enjoying wine. Unraveling its mysteries and taming its fierce body. I had the pleasure of sharing another bottle of La Lagune, 1983 with my father.

And it rocked !

The wine had not taken a wrinkle.

60% Cabernet Sauvignon ; 30% Merlot and 10% PetitVerdot. The elegance of this Ludon wine had not been the least tarnished.

The nose : Bright, red apple skin/black current/cedar/cigar box.

The mouth : Sweet, lifted and very fine. Long firm palate with sweet blackcurrant and cedar. Subtle and elegant.

I realize my tastings of La Lagune may never be completely objective. I think I am emotionally attached to this wine. It's my Madeleine de Proust as one could say. It brings back memories and emotions I feel very proud of.