Of course a 1999 Layon isn't past it!

1999 Château de la Guimonière, 

Coteaux du Layon Chaume

We had a very enjoyable dinner with friends, whom we hadn't seen for a while, last night. Just before the dessert I was asked whether a 50cl bottle of 1999 la Guimonière Coteaux du Layon Chaume would be OK or would it be past it. 

I was absolutely confident that not only would it not be past it but it would be good, providing it hadn't been stuffed up by a bad cork. So it proved the 1999 was very good – a fine concentration of honeyed fruit combined with some freshness in the long finish. No rush to drink this 1999 it will last for several decades more. It was also a good match for a fine apple strudel. Desserts are often a difficult match for Loire sweet wines but fruit desserts, providing they are not too sweet, generally work well.  

The 1999 was made during the ownership of Bernard Germain, who at the time owned Guimonière, la Roulerie and Château de Fesles.