Christmas (and birthday) party

These were the wines opened for our holiday party.

• 2008 Schramsberg Vineyards Brut Rosé 92 Points

  USA, California, North Coast

  From magnum, pale salmon color with tiny, delicate bubbles leads to a nose of strawberry. Body shows delicious strawberry and raspberry framed with good acidity. Really enjoyed.

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• NV Tribaut-Schloesser Champagne Brut Origine

  France, Champagne

  From magnum, enjoyable but not as good as Schramsberg.

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Clearly a red wine crowd.

• 2002 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  From magnum - slow oxed 4 hours. Deep purple color leads to classic nose of cassis, a hint of tobacco and vanilla. Medium full body shows beautiful dark fruit with good amount of secondary flavors. Nice tannins at finish. I really enjoyed this and suspect it is drinking at peak.

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• 2003 Elyse Le Corbeau Hudson Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  From magnum, deep purple color leads to a nose of wild raspberry, tar, and chocolate. Full palate offers sheer hedonistic delight. This was first bottle finished.

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• 2009 Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Bab's Cuvee Showket Vineyards 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Deep garnet color leads to a nose of blueberry, blackberry, and dark chocolate which explode from glass. Full palate shows huge dark fruit with and interesting hint of bell pepper. Really good now but will be better in three years.

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• 2007 Magie Rouge Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  From 750 ml, garnet color leads to nose of cassis, pencil lead and hint of dark chocolate. Medium full body shows flavors of dark fruit, mocha, and hint of spice but in a restrained far from over the top way. Delicious! This one didn't last long.

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• 2004 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 95 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  From magnum, deep purple color leads to complex nose of tar, menthol, black truffle and raspberry. Incredibly complex body shows all the classic chateauneuf flavors. Bravo! This was noticeably better than 750 ml bottle I had a few months ago.

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• 2002 Elyse Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  From magnum - only had a quick taste but very enjoyable. Bottle did not last long.

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• 2004 Elyse Zinfandel Morisoli Vineyard Flawed

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Corked

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• 2004 Match Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Butterdragon Hill 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  From 750 ml, only had quick taste. Really enjoyable with lots of life ahead.

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• 2005 Domaine de Bellivière Coteaux du Loir Vieilles Vignes Eparses Flawed

  France, Loire Valley, Coteaux du Loir

  Corked

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I was surprised that Elyse Le Corbreau was first wine finished. It was a huge crowd pleaser. I was also surprised the Quincy was the first white finished. All in all, with the exception of the two corked wines everything showed very well. Merry Christmas!