J-P's Birthday

A random selection of nice bottles from attendees. Lots to choose from - thanks to David for putting it together.

• 1990 Pommery Champagne Cuvée Louise Brut - France, Champagne
  This is a bready, yeasty beast. As JP said, "brioche-city". Nice golden hue. Some almond nut on the palate. Nice acidity and cut. Very good Champagne. (91 pts.)
• 1996 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc De L'Orée - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
  If you are a fan of Hermitage blanc, ignore my score. I try to find the elixir so many people rave about, but I can't seem to "get" these wines. First of all, when they have any age on them at all (around 10 years) I find them to taste overly oxidized. This one did also. Plus, this wine was showing quite a bit of alcohol and did not taste completely balanced. There was some quality fruit under all that, but... (88 pts.)
• 1998 Pieve Santa Restituta (Gaja) Brunello di Montalcino Rennina - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  This wine was in prime form! The nose just bowled everyone over. Beautiful candied fruit on the nose, but on the palate, nice ripe (but not overripe) fruits and some minerals. The wine had fine tannins and good acids that were masked by the silky soft texture of the wine. The creamy mouthfeel was just great, and this wine was super with the food. (94 pts.)
• 2000 Araujo Estate Syrah Eisele Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley
  This wine was liquid candy. Surmature, but not over the top or hot. Candied fruit on the palate. Superfine tannins and a very full mouthfeel. A high quality wine. Syrah taken to the edge of where I like it. (92 pts.)
• 2001 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine du Caillou Les Quartz - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  This wine was "extreem" Chateauneuf. This is new wave - and the wave takes you out like a tsunami. The nose tells you where you are going. Incredibly concentrated and heady - like dried plums. On the palate the wine displays sweet black fruits - a definite trip to the dark side. Not my favorite style of CNdP, but one I can see having many fans. (93 pts.)
• 1991 Casa Ferreirinha Douro Barca Velha - Portugal, Douro
  This wine was showing really well. Fully resolved (just) with a long plateau of wonderful drinking ahead. This wine had impeccable balance and poise. Nothing offensive in the mouth - all elements working in sync to provide a pleasurable mature wine experience. Nice cool cherry fruit and complex flavours of leather and soil. Well made wine. (92 pts.)