| | RJ organized another “Lost Friday Wine Lunch” at Blacksalt restaurant in DC. As usual, they treated us with some of the best seafood in DC. Since I was taking my kids to a short trip, I had to leave early and my TNs are brief impressions. We had two bottles of an Italian Riesling that were hand carried that were technically flawed with so much VA yet I found interesting. As I was leaving Barry showed up with the 96 Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet which was fresh and polished 94 pts and the 02 Domaine Denis Bachelet Charmes-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes which was intense yet airy, my WOTL based on a couple sips. - 1991 Comte Armand Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epeneaux - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard 1er Cru
Reductive, rustic, flower, red fruits, sous bois, raw mushroom and earth. Angular and austere. Better to be served alone. The second bottle was very similar. (89 pts.)
- 2009 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir Sweetwater Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Strawberry candy, jammy red and black fruits, excellent balance, very tasty, not overdone. (93 pts.)
- 2003 Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Omega - USA, Oregon, Yamhill County
Out of a mag, terribly corked. (FLAWED)
- 2008 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Summa Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
A bit of spritzy, ripe, raspberries, sap and mushroom. Very subtle in overall expression. Really enjoyable. Recommend to decant if bothered by spritz. (92 pts.)
- 2007 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
So darn tasty, easy to dismiss the incredible pure layered fruits and the exceptional balance underneath. Intense white fruits, pear, white peach, coconut and dry basil. Unctuous yet airy palate. Lovely wine. (96 pts.)
- 2008 Dauvissat-Camus Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru
I have had a number of discussion regarding whether Dauvissat and Dauvissat-Camus les clos are the same wine and I am certain that they are not. Served a bit cold, tightly coiled, slate, gunpowder, stinky, saline, mountain stream and mint. Although possessing the same mineral expression and structured, the nose is not as expressive and perhaps not as precise. Still very enjoyable. I would recommend decanting for a couple hours. (93 pts.)
- 2009 Carlisle Syrah Cardiac Hill - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley
Smoke, ash, roasted nuts, blackberries, black fruits and pepper. Medium weight for a syrah. Very good balance. (90 pts.)
- 1993 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley
My contribution, en magnum. Pop and poured and served slightly too warm, dark fruits, jammy, cassis and earth. Very ripe sweet fruits, silky texture and fully integrated tannins. A brief impression as I had to leave early but still quite enjoyable. (94 pts.)
- 2006 Kistler Pinot Noir Cuvée Elizabeth Bodega Headlands - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Expecting a typical big alcoholic Kister pinot but nicely balanced. Candy and fresh cherry, strawberry, sesame/toasted oak and stem. Sweet jammy fruits and medium weight. Very enjoyable. (93 pts.)
- 2000 Sine Qua Non Roussanne The Hussy - USA, California
En magnum, still showing noticeable oak, vanilla, lanoline and yellows fruits. Oily palate, ripe and noticeable heat. If this follows the aging curve of the rhone whites, perhaps need to be cellared for another ten years but the oak component is a lot stronger here. (90 pts.)
- 2002 Domaine / Maison Vincent Girardin Latricières-Chambertin - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru
A typical generous ripe fruits from the 02, a large frame wine, cherry and black berry, earth, showing young. Good concentration. Enjoyable. (92 pts.)
I am sure that the guys were there until 5. A great time was had by all! |
