| | Charlie Palmer steak treated us to a great meal in their private room as we enjoyed some cellar gems as an end of year treat. It was a splendid afternoon in the company of good friends. 2002 Champagnes - 2002 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut - France, Champagne
The Cristal was denser, richer, and sweeter compared to the Philipponnat Clos des Goisses. It was luscious and mouth filling. The fruit was primary and in the citrus family. Tom noted a skunky smell on the nose which provided a pleasant contrast to the fruity, wine aromas. The wine finishes dry as the Brut designation suggests. Overall, this was a great showing but as others noted this wine should mature nicely and may be better in 3-5 years. (95 pts.)
- 2002 Philipponnat Champagne Brut Clos des Goisses - France, Champagne
The Clos des Goisses was dryer and more stony in contrast to the Cristal. It's flavors are reminiscent of a typical Chablis including saline, minerals and lemon. The perceptible acid in the wine adds precision. This wine was more cerebral while the Cristal was pure pleasure. (94 pts.)
Mature Burgundy - 1985 Georges Lignier et Fils Clos St. Denis - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos St. Denis Grand Cru
Pop and pour. Autumnal and fully mature on the nose and palate. This wine had an earthy, savory, and rustic character that Amy noted is typical of the Clos St. Denis site and is what sparked her love this Cru. This was just a lovely, mature Burgundy experience. (93 pts.)
- 1991 Jean-Jacques Confuron Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Pop and pour. The JJ Confuron was more polished and regal than the G. Lignier Clos St. Denis is was paired with. It was slightly more youthful as well retaining some berry fruit and mineral notes along with soy as noted by Michael. There also savory notes of beef broth. This was another satisfying, mature Burgundy. (93 pts.)
Vogue Musigny - 1995 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Musigny Cuvée Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Musigny Grand Cru
Pop and pour. The JJ Confuron Vosne Romanee Beaux Monts was regal but the 95 Vogue Musigny was the king. There was so much going on here including plum fruit, spice, floral notes, and spice. This wine showed softer than other 1995s I've tasted recently and was in the zone. (95 pts.)
- 1996 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Musigny Cuvée Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Musigny Grand Cru
Pop and pour. Unfortunately, this wine was a wall of tannin and acid. Perhaps David Denton was able to enjoy the leftovers which got some air. I would leave push these to the back of the cellar and see what happens. Reputation and the delicious 1995 we drank this with lead me to believe it will be good.
Arnoux Suchot, Roagna Barbaresco and a La La - 1999 Domaine Robert Arnoux / Arnoux-Lachaux Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Double decanted for three hours and slow o'ed in the bottle for another three hours in the bottle. Holy smokes was this good. There was incredible depth of dark fruit flavor that lingered on the palate for what seems like an eternity and begged you to take another sip. Fine tannin coated the palate but melded seamlessly with the sweet primary fruit. This wine oozed pleasure and will continue to do so for quite some time. (98 pts.)
- 1985 Roagna Barbaresco - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
This was a classic mature Barbaresco and serves as a reminder of why we buy and cellar wine. The wine was delicate and light on the palate while delivering complex flavors or rose water, earth and raspberry like fruit. The wine still delivered precision after 30 years but was satisfying in the way that only a properly aged wine can be. (95 pts.)
- 1985 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Pop and pour. This is a legendary wine that delivers in spades. The wine is fruit driven with notes of blackberry but also carries some savory meaty elements along with some spice. Tannin and oak have completely integrated providing a joyous experience. I often find that young Northern Rhone wines can be heavy but this wine has shed its fat leaving behind a beautiful package. (97 pts.)
60 Year Old Port - 1955 Cockburn Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Popped and decanted for three hours and enjoyed with dessert. This was a great bottle of 60 year old port. This port retains subtle fruitiness along with toffee, smoke, and dark chocolate notes. All of the flavors were melded together and the port was slightly sweet without even a trace of alcohol. This was a very satisfying port. (95 pts.)
Aside from the 1996 Vogue Musigny, all of the wines met or exceeded expectations. It's always great to share great wines with great friends. |
