Michael Broadbent's Life is an Opera -- No Really!

As big fans of wine critic and auctioneer Michael Broadbent ― and always entertained by his musings ― we were fascinated to hear that his life has become an opera. “The Lovely Ladies” is based on the premise that Broadbent is rumored to be leaving the world of wine and some of the great wines of the world, including his favorite, Bordeaux, as well as Champagne, endeavor to persuade him to stay.

The 45 minute comic opera came about when the head of Christie’s in Scotland, Sebastian Thewes, came up with the idea and actually pursued it through to production. Proceeds from the sold-out $270 seats went to a cancer charity. Broadbent attended the event ; he reportedly was looking looking dapper and was quite pleased and amused himself.

When an interviewer from Bloomberg asked Broadbent why there is such a strong connection between opera and wine, he answered, “Opera is civilized, and Champagne is civilized. I’m all in favor of civilized drinks. As opposed to those great globs of red wine girls drink in wine bars.” Ahh, he is always good for a wine-related laugh! For more of his introspective, sometimes droll reflections on wine, check out our one-time feature, “Broadbentisms."

Broadbentism: 1920 Pierre Ponnelle Pommard

"Extremely good level and colour; showing its age, faisande*, whiff of tar and fungi; touch of liquorice, drying-out. One cannot expect great things from a negotiant's village wine of this age, but one never knows. The pursuit of old wines is fun, an occasional revelations, sometimes leading to deep despair. Dining with Camilla and Alistair Sampson, antique dealer and odd-bottle magpie, March 2000." - MB

(*faisande - matured)

Broadbentism: 1995 Screaming Eagle Cabernet

"The last of four consecutive vintages, I confess I had been prepared to pooh-pooh this cult of cults; I equally confess I thought all four wines were delicious. Naturally, because of its name, fabled reputation and tiny production, it commands a price that makes Romanee-Conti look like a bargain. Do I think that these prices are ridiculous? Of course, but as with Le Pin and other cult wines - they bear no relation to reality and I think that other more classic producers should just shrug their shoulders and get on with life. " At Waddesdon Manor. ****(*) - MB

Broadbentisms: Back by Popular Demand

And to start off the new year, a Champagne note from the noted wine sage.

1911 Pol Roger

"Probably disgorged in the mid-1950s. First noted at a Pol Roger tasting in 1989: straw gold; soft, nutty, sound old bouquet and flavor, 'rather like a creamy old Chardonnay'. Next and most memorable, a bottle produced by Hugh Johnson for his first Bordeaux Club dinner: sipped reverentially but with immense satisfaction by the members on a perfect summer evening in Hugh's exquisite garden - I have a happy photograph, taken by Judy Johnson, of Harry Waugh, Jack Plumb (in straw hat), Neil McKendrick, John Jenkins, Hugh and myself. The wine had an excellent colour, very slight prickle, a touch of cloudiness towards the bottom of the bottle - so I declined a top up..." - MB

Broadbentism: 1995 Leoville Las Cases

"Fragrant but swingeingly tannic at the MW tasting (November 1999). The value of a seated tasting proving itself on the next two occasions, though there is only space here for a fraction of my notes. In essence: a strikingly impressive appearance; sweet rich nose, full of fruit. (In March 2000 I see my wife added - for she takes notes when I am lecturing - 'mumble mumble'. Someone once said that listening to me was a 'triumph of mind over mutter')...Last tasted March 2001 *(****) 2008 - 2020." - MB

Broadbentism: 1992 Leflaive Bienvenues Batard Montrachet

"Preceded by 1893 Ch d'Yquem (with foie gras) and followed by '26 Ch La Mission Haut-Brion, a rather bold, in fact essential divider. Served very cold. Light, malty, and opening up as it approached room temperature, revealing vanilla and a touch of honey; dry enough, firm, oaky Chardonnay flavour. It seemed to get sweeter on the nose and palate. Almost too sweet. At Christian Sveaas' great wine dinner in Oslo, April 1996.***" - MB

Broadbentism: 1989 Chateau Giscours

"I have been a Mousquetaire d'Armagnac for many years but have only managed to get to one event, the 36th Grand Chapire, in 1994. It was a spirited occasion. After Armagnac as an aperitif, they served a strange local red, then Ch Filhot with foie gras. Next this full, fleshy, tannic, Giscours with magret de canard, followed by eau de vie and champagne - in that order. I slept well...**" - MB

Broadbentism: 1985 Chateau Chasse-Spleen

"Though rarely if ever underrated, it is definitely overdue for re-classification, the '85 being a prime example. Superb in cask and showing steady development. Most recently, still surprisingly deep in colour, with good nose, weight, flavour and balance. Went well with Supreme de Faisan Bonne-Femme in the Lord Mayor's apartment at Mansion House. Sir John Chalstrey, a surgeon, was Shrieval Sheriff when, as candidate for Lay Sheriff, I was defeated in the deciding ballot by just 16 votes. Perhaps as well. A whole year of lunching and dining in fancy dress would have been daunting - unless all the wine had been as good as the Chasse-Spleen. Last noted Oct 1996 ***" - MB

Broadbentism: 1996 Chateau Trottevieille

"It was showing quite well at a British Airways blind tasting in November 1997, with its attractive, youthful fruit. Much later, Philippe Casteja, an old friend, sent me a case out of the blue. A nice wine, quite good fruit and weight, on the lean side (1999 and subsequent), though, I confess, I have not been too keen on it recently: dry, rather strange piquant acidity. I doubt if he will send me more. Last tasted March 2001. *(*). Drink up" MB

Broadbentism: 1980 Chateau Petrus

"In 1986, Hans Peter Frericks gave a lavish Petrus tasting/dinner in the Margrave's Palace in his home town of Munich. A magnum of the '80 was produced for the tasting and an imperiale for the dinner. It was a bit over the top, spicy, specious but an attractive drink. And drink it we did, accompanied by caviar dished out like porridge. I was sitting next to Christian Mouiex who agreed that 'the beluga was sensational but did nothing for the Petrus'. Last sniffed Sept 1995. At best **." MB

Broadbentism: 1990 Opus One

"Several notes, first at a Diners' Club 'Vintage Evening' at Waterside Inn. I was there to speak about the wines. Unhappily, this deep, spicy, full-bodied and still youthful wine dominated the Bressole de Perfreau Poelee. It didn't work with the Tete a tet de Fromage either. Ch d'Yquem 1986 had been matched with, but would have been totally destroyed by Michael Roux's out-of-this-world creme brulee, so I suggested abandoning the Opus after the partridge, tasting the Yquem with the cheese, then by itself, then - to prove a point - after a mouthful of creme brulee. Naturally, I did all this in the most tactful way. (It was hard work though.)" ****(*) - MB

Broadbentism: 1986 Chateau Lafite Rothschild

"...more amenable than I expected, good mid-palate fruit but hard edged. Something like '62 or '66." Last noted at a combined children's birthday lunch party at home, Jan 1999 (****) I propose to leave my children Emma and Bartholomew two magnums each in my will- if Daphne hasn't drunk them! -MB

Broadbentism: 1988 Chateau Mouton Rothschild

"This was at the Hollywood Wine Society's Mouton Seminar, March 1998, followed four months later by the Penning-Rowsells' 10-year first growth tasting at which it showed off its richness of bouquet and flavor. Yet still youthfull looking, with rich, toasty nose which then reminded me of warm tea and, after an hour sodden wholemeal biscuits." ***(*) - MB

Broadbentism: 1989 Leoville Barton

"Usually there is a considerable difference in content and style between the two 2eme cru St. Juliens, the Barton, very correct, very English (despite its Irish ancestry) and the Gruaud noted above, more French: the gentleman versus the well-endowed young matron, except that in 1989 the stiff upper lip relaxes. A somewhat fleshier and riper wine than usual, with extra dimensions, body, fruit, texture, length of course. Several notes from cradle to the age of consent. ****(*)" - MB

Broadbentism: 1955 Cheval Blanc

"But some chateau-bottle variations, the following noted in 1978: a deep, brick red double magnum, medium sweetness, soft, lovely, and a brown-rimmed bottle with a 'calm' cedar-caramel nose, both colour and caramel anticipating a touch of decay and strange descriptions such as 'velvety and rusty nails' and 'too smooth, too round, too rotten'! The latter must have been due to the hot storage. T0 demonstrate that the latter was an aberration, a fabulous bottle in its fortieth year at Ziegler's tasting. At best *****" - MB

Broadbentism: 1991 Harlan Estate

"The first of five consecutive vintages tasted at Waddesdon Manor, December 2000. Very deep, intense; substantial fruit, after 50 minutes nose thick, rich; dry, spicy, tannic. Frankly, I didn't much take to it. Daphne was positively rude. Next, tasted at the Vintners' gala at Meadowood: swingeingly tannic and, frankly, undrinkable. Last tasted June 2001." - MB

Broadbentism: 1988 Cos d'Estournel

"...the '88 very impressive, still immature, violet-tinged; nose crammed with fruit and mouthwatering acidity, opening up, like Concorde, reaching cruising altitude, attaining rich fragrance and depth." **(**) - MB

Broadbentism: 1975 Chataeau Mouton Rothschild

"One might have thought it could cope with fromages affines, but it didn't." At best **** (just). I think it worth requoting my Jayne Mansfield analogy: 'mean, moody and magnificent'. MB

Broadbentism: 1983 Gruaud-Larose

"Started off with a bang. Alongside the '81 positively opulent. Then it seemed to go through a stage of puberty, finally emerging as a fully fledged, and fleshed adolescent... Last noted at a Saintsbury dinner, Oct. 2002. **** Lively but drink soon." MB

Broadbentism: 1971 Chateau Lafite Rothschild

"Frankly, 20 not very complimentary notes. Most recently, a tart bottle at Brooks's, a strange nose, feeble but pleasant enough. Fortunately, we had something better to follow." * MB