| | The monthly theme was Bordeaux. This event had 2 tables of 6-7. wines were shared across tables. Table 1 Wines - 2006 Scharffenberger Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
light gold color. Green apple, mild yeast. green apple palate, shorter finish. Pleasant drinker. (87 pts.)
- 2005 Clos de l'Oratoire - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Purple red color. Decant length unknown. Had a single glass over an hour. Cassis, grapite, blackberry, tar on the nose. The palate is inky, very grippy right now, cassis, black cherry, and graphite, licorice. Very young. 90(+)pts. (90 pts.)
- 1995 Clos René - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Medium red color. Not impressed by this bottle. Tannic, thin, iron, muted, red fruit. Appears to be over the hill. (86 pts.)
- 1995 Château Clerc Milon - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Very dark red color. No decant. Nose, tight, earth, licorice, cassis. Palate, grippy tannins, medium body, thin mid, cassis, licorice. Maybe a nice decant would soften this make it more approachable. (88 pts.)
- 1995 Château Pontet-Canet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Very dark red color. Another bottle with no decant. Drank 1 glass over 2 hours. I was really looking forward to trying this, but sadly was disappointed. I'm a huge fan of Pontet-Canet in general, certainly over the last decade anyway. This bottle presented as austere, tannic, black fruits, anise, oak, gravelly mineral, spice. Not sure this will get a lot better. I'd like to see the impact of a significant decant, but this did not improve a lot in the glass. (89 pts.)
- 1995 Château Léoville Poyferré - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Very dark red color. This bottle was definitely not what I had seen recently. I think this was mildly corked. Rustic and muted, very tannic, quite austere. (FLAWED)
- 1995 Château Montrose - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Purple red color. Decanted for 3 hours. Drank 1+ glass over 2 hours. This has a nice nose, earthy, developing some perfume over30 minutes, cassis, cedar, graphite, oak. The palate is full bodied, inky, cassis, blackberry, graphite, minerals, firm tannins that round further in the glass. This got considerably better over the first 30-60 minutes. Very nice. (92 pts.)
- 1996 Château Léoville Poyferré - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Very dark red color. Decanted just over 2 hours. Drank 1+ glass over 2 hours. Opened more slowly after being back in the bottle for transport. Developed a nice perfume of red and black fruit, florals, and leather. The palate is medium-full bodied with a velvety texture, elegant, nice finish. This was excellent, but not as good as the last 2 bottles I've had. It seemed like it shut down after it had really been singing at the 2 hour point and needed to be coaxed back out. 2-3 hour decant recommended. (93 pts.)
- 1986 Château Rieussec - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Amber color. Drank 1+ glass over 30+ minutes. This was showing quite nicely again. Classic aged Sauternes, apricots, honey, floral, smoky, a little peach pit. The palate is graceful, understated power, very well balanced, apricot, honey, spice, smoke, minerals. Long finish. Always a treat. (93 pts.)
- 2001 Château Doisy-Védrines - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Didn't get any detailed notes on this. My memory is that it was very good, but nowhere near the '05 Rieussec or the '86 Rieussec. 89-90pts. (89 pts.)
Table 2 Wines - usually small pours - 2005 Château Rieussec - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Medium gold color. Lots of tropical fruit on the nose, highlighted by a distinct coconut note, mineral, lighter apricots and honey this go round. The palate was quite vibrant with nice acidity, consistent with previous bottles, adding the tropicals. The sweetness is there, but when drank next to the '86 Rieussec, you see what a baby this really is and imagine how far it can go. As much texture as there is now, you don't have that creamy, really volumptuous character that comes with maturity. Don't get me wrong, this is awesome and is only going to get better, but I am a sucker for a mature beauty. 93(+)pts. (93 pts.)
- 2011 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris - France, Alsace
this was not quite as good as recent previous vintages. Still quite nice though. Interesting dusty quality on the nose, citrus, light florals compared to the past. the palate was light, crisp citrus, medium-short finish. (88 pts.)
- 2009 Samuel Billaud Chablis - France, Burgundy, Chablis
Nice, with refreshing minerality, crisp acid, citrus profile. 88+ to 89pts. (89 pts.)
- 2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
this had a 2.5hr decant. Small pour. Still came out of the box slowly, seemed a bit hot initially. Developed a nice perfume of ripe cassis, graphite, and floral notes. The palate resolved and was deep and layered. This is still quite young and should improve significantly. Wish I would have had more of this to examine longer. 92+pts. (92 pts.)
- 2000 Château Lagrange (St. Julien) - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Small pour, oak, cassis, earthy, prominent firm tannins. Medium finish. Pretty good. (90 pts.)
- 1986 Château Nairac - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac
I thought this was flat, done, and gone. OTH. low 80's. (FLAWED)
- N.V. Taittinger Champagne Brut Réserve / La Française - France, Champagne
Light gold color Nice sea air nose with pear, florals, mineral. the palate has bold acids, pear, tree fruit, mineral, nice finish. Very enjoyable. (90 pts.)
- N.V. Mumm Napa Brut Prestige - USA, California, Napa Valley
Pale gold color. Bread dough, yeast, apple, mineral. Nice balance, light and tasty. Always a solid QPR. (88 pts.)
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