Dinner at Pelagos, Astir Palace, Athens

• 2006 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut - France, Champagne
  Tasted blind and we went with a lot older, frankly we thought this was poor Dom Perignon 1996. Even more interesting is the fact that we tried this 6 months ago ( Papies 97) and was a lot more bright and energetic. This was more evolved , more oxidised and in a way not representative of the wine with hindsight. On the day this was a 92-93 , well enjoyable but not the wine we know it to be so pointless to rate.
• 2018 Cantina Ca' Dei Conti Alice , Bianco Veneto - Italy, Veneto, Veneto IGT
  Tasted blind and was the impossible task pinning it down.
  The nose was of a Viognier, but had a lot higher alcohol to be a Condrieu and we felt maybe an American version of a Rhône classic..
  the wine is indeed a curiosity fished from around the world by a dear friend and is a blend of Bacca red and white and made in the veneto style of wines. Very interesting. Andreas 93/ Nicol 91 (92 pts.)
• 2008 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
  Tasted blind.
  At the start while coldish the wine was more of a Rhône variety ( we guessed California Rhône Blend) but made in the US style but once it came to its own the notes were definitely of an oaky Chardonnay albeit a harmonious balance of oak and depth of flavour from the wine. 15yr young wine, lots of life ahead too. 94-95 (94 pts.)
• 2006 Domaine du Clos de Tart Clos de Tart - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de Tart Grand Cru
  Tasted blind. The nose was definitely an old world Pinot but on the palate the cherry feel and also the tannic structure made us think this was a very fine 10yr old Barolo.. nothing like a bit of blind tasting to humble ones wine knowledge ( or lack of). Very much an elegant wine, proper GC depth of flavour and unfortunately quite young and frankly this felt it could benefit from another 5yrs in bottle more and we wonder if that is a generic issue across Grand Crus from 2006 ( vs 2007s which are now well in their drinking window) . A very solid wine 94 for now but with lots of promise. (94 pts.)
• 2007 Marcassin Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
  Tasted blind and even when revealed we felt this was a fine 15yr old Amarone. Such was the juicy, rich character and dark fruits of this this wine. Fascinating on a way but also a whole different style of Pinot for us. 92 (92 pts.)
• 2009 Sloan - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
  Tasted blind. Was clearly an Napa Cab and we went with a 10yr old Dominus.
  Impressive wine, young but also welcoming, bright and in full harmony even at this youthful stage. Frankly it needs time and we feel this could well challenge the best Dominus and the rest of the classicists have to offer with good age. Very impressive in any case .96 and with a lot of life ahead. (96 pts.)
• 2016 The Third Twin Nuestra Señora del Tercer Gemelo The Third Twin Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley
  Tasted blind. We said SQN 10yrs old Syrah.
  This made by the son of the Krankls is in a way the apple that has not fallen away from the tree. The style is very similar, very much a big wine but also a harmonious wine with everything elevated and albeit with a lot of alc the alcohol is not out of place or rules the wine. To us this harmony of the big alcohol with the rest of the big and elevated elements of the wine is a key sign of SQN ( and this baby SQN) vs others who try to make the style. This was a touch sweeter too and softer than the SQN style and even at times made us think it was a younger Grenache. Impressive 94 (94 pts.)
• 2017 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance - South Africa, Coastal Region, Cape Peninsula, Constantia
  Tasted blind and a fascinating wine.
  Frankly we would have put this as more of an Yquem than a VdC as it lacked the tell tale signs of mandarin marmalade that we associate with this wine. Maybe a change in winemaking or a vintage result but definitely atypical for us but in any case a magnificent wine and brilliant in its youth. 95 (95 pts.)
• 1997 Domaine Huet Vouvray Cuvée Constance - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
  Tasted blind.
  The first nose and taste were difficult, bitter and with a few off putting notes. Maybe this needs decanting too. But once in rest state it felt like a wall aged noble rot wine with a lot of age albeit. At times we felt it was a 60s Sauternes even given colour and soft bitter age. Very interesting but maybe needs more time. 92 (92 pts.)

The Badly Behaved

• 1986 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amabile del Cerè Veneto IGT - Italy, Veneto, Veneto IGT
  Spoiled unfortunately. (FLAWED)