| | The theme was loosely Pinot. There was much debate about what wines to serve to match the weather, and the weather kept changing. This went from a syrah-heavy event with ribs o a Pinot-heavy event with salmon. - 2002 Philippe Prié Champagne Tradition Brut - France, Champagne
Quite interesting and toasty. This was bigger than I remember, a little less elegant, and more straightforward. (90 pts.)
- N.V. Franck Bonville Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut - France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
This champagne did drink like a blanc de blanc. It was lighter, more elegant, and pleasant. There was citrus and pear. (90 pts.)
- 2010 Shafer Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
The nose is better than the palate, but the palate does improve with 30 minutes in glass. Tropical fruit, mango, bubble gum. The palate is rather flabby. (90 pts.)
- 2008 Kistler Chardonnay Durell Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
This does taste like a Kistler. Big and toasty. There is enough acidity here, but it could use more. Full-bodied. (92 pts.)
- 1998 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Quite complex, nutty, and oxidized. This is fairly accessible, and was better received by a group of 10 of us than I anticipated. (92 pts.)
- 2010 J. Christopher Pinot Noir Nuages - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
This smells and tastes like an amped up California pinot (I know it's not). Other than that, not that interesting. (88 pts.)
- 2012 Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir Arroyo Grande Valley - USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley
This wine actually had Oregon florals and balance. I enjoyed it's liveliness, fruit and acid. I wrote 88, then 89, then 90, so take your pick. (90 pts.)
- 2010 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Temperance Hill Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
This wine seems so well-resolved right now. It's in a great place. Quite floral, some earth, crunchy cherry. My #2 wine of the night. (93 pts.)
- 2008 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Slow o'd for about 3 hours. The Domaine Serene flavor is evident in this wine - fairly full-bodied with oak, slight vanilla. There is nice spice. Tannins still evident. This wine improved in my glass over an hour. This was my favorite wine of the night. (93 pts.)
- 2013 AR.PE.PE. Rosso di Valtellina - Italy, Lombardia, Valtellina, Rosso di Valtellina
This wine needed food, and we drank it after the meal. Lots of cherries here, oak and fruit. (89 pts.)
- 1982 Château Sociando-Mallet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc
Corked. I'd decanted it an hour, with no noticable corkyness when I poured it back in the bottle. It seemed exactly like it should have - a lean old Bordeaux. In fact, even in the glass, it was not clear that it was corked. But upon swirling it and giving it air, it became apparent that it was immensely corked. This transformation has not happened to me before. (FLAWED)
- 1990 Château Cru Peyraguey - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
A small pour at a tasting. The nose here is quite complex and intriguing. The palate is incredibly elderly, with little sweetness. I could give the nose a 91, but the palate has serious issues. Obviously well past its drinking window. (85 pts.)
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