| | An amazing re-enactment of the Judgement of Paris (with a couple changes) with more recent vintages. An incredible spread food pairings at Nomi in Chicago which did a fabulous job hosting the event. What made the event even better was that we raised money for Doctors without Borders which is an amazing cause. Overall a fabulous evening with great people, great food and great wine.. The Sparkling The Whites - 2006 Château de la Maltroye Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Grandes Ruchottes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru
Tasted blind. If I didn't know I was tasting Chardonnay, I would never have guessed it. Color was dar, nose was strong caramel. Taste was also caramel. A nice wine but I was disappointed compared to the others. I was expecting the Montrochet to lead the bunch. (89 pts.)
- 2006 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay - USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted blind. Nose and palate gave off strong apricots. Delicious. Seemed more new world but not over oaked or over the top. (93 pts.)
- 2008 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru
Tasted blind. Color was lighter than the rest. Nose was clean, fresh, mineral, classic Chablis. Taste was also clean and crisp. Absolutely delicious. This was my favorite of the whites (94 pts.)
- 2004 Kistler Chardonnay Durell Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Tasted blind. Darkest of the bunch. Nose was funky, caramel, barnyard. taste was very thick with more caramel. Could be past it's window. Disappointing. (88 pts.)
The Reds - 2001 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
Tasted blind. Seemed more old world. Nose was amazing, giving lots of pepper. The initial attack on the palate was great, though the mid-palate to the finish was weak. Fell off a cliff. (90 pts.)
- 2001 Château Mouton Rothschild - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Tasted blind. Nose was muted, not giving anything at all. The palate was also closed, seemed much more old world, but not giving much fruit. Completely closed and disappointing. The group agreed this was the worst of the reds. (88 pts.)
- 2001 Ridge Monte Bello - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Tasted blind. Nose was beautiful with dark fruit and black licorice. Taste was elegant, beautiful, powerful, vibrant and explosive with a long finish. (95 pts.)
- 2001 Château Léoville Las Cases - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Tasted blind. Not much on the nose, a little funk. Taste was clean, high acidity, and a long finish. (90 pts.)
- 2001 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted blind. Classic Bordeaux nose. Would have guessed French. Initial attack was fairly good, but picked up intensity through the mid-palate. Strong black licorice notes. Very exotic. This was the surprise of the night for me. Compared to the rest of the wines and the price points, this was the best value. (97 pts.)
- 2001 Château Bahans Haut-Brion - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Tasted blind. Very clean nose, a little whiskey hints. Nice initial attack with bright fruit then it died through the mid-palate and finish. (91 pts.)
- 2001 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Tasted blind. Nose was all dark fruits and very exotic. The palate was vegetal (would have thought more Cab Franc), hedonistic, bursting with flavors and a super long finish. The balance to me was just about perfect. The WOTN for me and many others. (98 pts.)
- 2001 Château Montrose - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Tasted blind. Nose was clean, with a little metal and black licorice. Flavors were very similar to the Heitz, though a little more acidic than the others. By far the best French wine of the tasting. (97 pts.)
- 2001 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted blind. Nose was amazing with classic dark fruits. The taste was bright, clean, very balanced and amazing. (97 pts.)
- 2009 Les Pagodes de Cos - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Tasted blind. Nose was very muted, not really giving much. Palate was very balanced, bright with great acidity. Very long finish. Would have scored higher if the nose was giving anything. (94 pts.)
The Deserts - 2007 Inniskillin Vidal Icewine Niagara Peninsula VQA - Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
Tasted blind alongside D'Yquem which really wasn't fair to this. Strong notes of aprocots on both the nose and palate, almost over the top. Still delicious. Had this been tasted on it's own, it would have gotten a higher score. But once tasting the D'Yquem, it didn't have a chance. (91 pts.)
- 2001 Château d'Yquem - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Tasted blind alongside an Inniskilin Ice wine. Everything about them was different. While I loved the Ice Wine, the D'Yquem was on a different level. Much more subtle and balanced. Elegant, supple. Pure liquid gold. (96 pts.)
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