NY Wine Experience 2014

Went with Allesandra and met Patrick and his friends later in the tasting. The goal was to taste as many wines. Usually I don't do this, but this wanted to try. So I spit a lot, ate crackers when needed, and plowed through some excellent wines. Lots of winnners here tonight, and found it to be very enjoyable.

• 2008 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  tight. some dark chocolate. black currants. elegant. this is shut down right now, but shows a glimpse of something special to come.

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• 1998 Château Margaux 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  While still a baby, compared to all the other young Bordeaux wine, this was nice to drink. Graphite. cigar smoke. cassis. blackberry. velvety. silky tannins. enjoyed a lot.

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• 2005 Château Léoville Barton 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  The vintage shows. Larger scale. Fuller. Mocha. mineral. earth. tobacco. a fuller wine that should have an outstanding future.

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• 2000 Château Pontet-Canet 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Another wine showing off its great vintage. Rich. full. seamless. elegant tannins. we got cigar smoke, currants. earth. mushrooms. some blackberry. Real tasty.

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• 2004 Château Cos d'Estournel 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

  tough following the 2000 Pontet Canet. Nice profile, but not as realized. Graphite notes. hints a dark fruit. some oak as well.

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• 1997 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  This was fantastic. Drank this along the Bordeauxs and it fit right in. Slightly richer and fuller. some cigar, currants. boysenberry. all entwined nicely in an earthy seamless package.

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• 2001 Vieux Château Certan 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  This was a pleasant surprise. Showed very well. Some dark plums, black currants. cigar/tobacco. some licorice as well. There is the finished touch of brighter red fruit that won me over.

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• 2009 Château Figeac

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  this was shut down and muted. Some earth, graphite, and mint? tough read on this one for me.

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• 2009 Château Cheval Blanc

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  first time with this wine. seamless is what best describes. not the best showing. Shut down and not as flamboyant as some of the recent people have wrote. but the glimpse of what this can be seems to be a most elegant package.

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• 2008 Louis Roederer Champagne Vintage Brut Rosé 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  first champagne of the night. seemed a bit disjointed .a lot going on. some doughy bread, some bright raspberry, a healthy dose of stony minerals, some metallic notes. large scaled to me.

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• 2004 Dom Pérignon Champagne 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  tight package. some smoky minerals through a quince, and pale tart fruits. Also saline. Very elegant. needs time to reveal itself.

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• 2006 Perrier-Jouët Champagne Belle Epoque 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  strong finishing notes of acid and bitter fruit - lemon peel, crystalized ginger. decent amount of fruit and minerality as well. it wasn't as seamless as the previous 2.

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• NV Taittinger Prelude 90 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  green unripe apple peel. strong earth tones. minerals. more earth tones. Fruit is in the back. elegant. tasty and intriguing.

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• NV Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Réserve 88 Points

  France, Champagne

  a bit of a metallic after taste after some yellow tart fruits along with hay. dry on finish as well.

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• NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée 93 Points

  France, Champagne

  seamless. some drying minerals on finish. elegant and complicated array of fruits also some nuttiness going on in there. this is complicated and tasty.

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• NV Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvée Brut 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  enticing nose. lemon peel. lemon pit. earthy elements keeps lemon in balance.

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• NV Henriot Champagne Brut Rosé 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  larger in fruit profile than the others. cherry, pomegranate, and raspberry. tasty. not as seamless as others. still good.

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• 2009 Château d'Yquem 97 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  wow. this was special. such an alluring nose of honeysuckle and the sweetest grapefruit. The palate was light on entry but the finish was haunting and lasted forever. just an amalgam of the freshest apricots, honey, and wild flowers.

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• 2009 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon 89 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières

  you can smell the wax. interesting. upon entry there is that waxy subdued palest honey note encased with a ever present note of saline and shells. Not much bite on the finish, but still nice.

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• 2012 M. Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette 89 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  nuts, almonds, bitter nuts, nice acidity. minerality, some oak showing. a touch smoky.

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• 2011 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series 86 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  a bit too much oak for me. probably too young, but wasn't crazy about the fruit profile hear. too much buttered popcorn and not enough tartness for my palate.

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• 2011 Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 88 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru

  agree with some previous comments about modern type wine. kind of a hefty wine. with some bitterness and metallicness on end. also some oak.

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• 2011 Domaine Jean Chartron Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

  very nice. chalky, tightly wound with minerals with a nice profile of apples and lemon peel. some oak showing, but not too much.

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• 2011 Kongsgaard Chardonnay 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  very large in scale. complex but the oak is bugging me. too much buttered popcorn. spice, riper melons. would like to try this in 10 years.

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• 2011 Kistler Chardonnay Trenton Roadhouse 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  quite spicy with star anise, licorice and a touch a smoke. this is larger in scale. there is oak that is noticeable. I would say this needs time to integrate

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• 2011 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese 93 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  so light and elegant. reminded me of how elegant the entry was on the y'quem - same lightness, and then.. the flavors. grapefruit peel, grapefruit, some hazelnut, peach, honey - lots going on. acidity is there. This is a baby and will age wonderfully.

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• 2012 Nik Weis / St. Urbans-Hof Leiwener Laurentiuslay Riesling Spätlese 87 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  followed after the prum and found it less complex. not as much acidity to make the fruit interesting. kind of syrupy. not for me

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• 2013 Gunderloch Nackenheim Rothenberg Riesling Auslese 86 Points

  Germany, Rheinhessen

  a bit sweet as well. dense honey. peach. thicker in style. bordering on desert wine.

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• 2011 Domaine de la Vougeraie Vougeot Clos du Prieuré 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vougeot

  This was open, which I was happy with, and in general found all the 2011s tonight open for business. - what a treat! This was a full bodied and opulent wine but wasn't heavy at all. silky tannins. just the right amount of earth at the end to give it intrigue.

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• 2011 Joseph Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru

  notes of raspberry and blackberry along with currant liquer. a bit sweeter in profile. along with some smoky elements - fireplace after a burned wood - very sublt though. well done.

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• 2010 Louis Jadot Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Boudots Domaine Gagey 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru

  I liked this a lot. so elegant, feminine. light on entry and then the finish has so much going on. red currants, pomegranate, some orange peel, along with mushrooms. yum.

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• 2012 Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru

  tasty as well. I got a good sense of the wine as it had a youthful perfumy nose and palate. some red fruit, but also blue fruits. some sous boi. silky tannins. drying on finish.

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• 2006 Bouchard Père et Fils Clos Vougeot 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

  my favorite burgundy of the night. The age helped. such a full yet light fruit profile. along with some candied ginger, white pepper, black pepper. raspeberries on finish. cherry liquer as well. wow, this was good.

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• 2006 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Laurène 93 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  from magnum. this showed very well. full bodied. opulent but without any fat or heaviness. after the 5 burgs, this did quite well. red fruit profile along with some sweeter fall spices. real tasty.

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• 2009 Château Trotanoy 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  while this was a cab flight, I couldn't pass up this one. A bit shut down for me. but still a monster in the working. strong tightly black fruit profile along with tobacco, and earth and some tasty minerals.

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• 2010 Futo Oakville 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  first time with this wine. young. dark and dense, but not heavy. quite elegant. plumy, but has minerals to balance it. a bit reticent. I liked it.

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• 2009 Cade Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Estate 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  first time with this winery. full bodied. touches of smoke along with blue fruits and blackberries. some dark chocolate as well. some tannins.

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• 2011 Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  first time with winery. very well put together. this is rich but not heavy. well integrated material here. cocoa. dark chocolate. blue fruits. some garrigue as well. nice silky tannins.

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• 1989 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  very nice showing. sweet balsamic vinegar covered dark cherries in chocolate. ready to drink and enjoy. a nice cali cab with age.

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• 1994 Ridge Monte Bello 94 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  wow. this was tasty. full bodied. not showing its age. still seemed young. had that great monte bello structure. excellent black fruits along with dusted cocoa cherries.

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• 2010 Harlan Estate 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  tightly wound. mocha, cocoa, hidden intensity. coffee grounds. this wasn't decant but felt something was lurking. There was some energy on the finish. Black fruits. Black currants.

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• 2010 BOND Quella 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  coffee. chocolate. plums. blackberry liquer, earthy notes. some smoke. this is dark and brooding. drying tannins.

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• 2003 Château Léoville Las Cases 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  dark fruits but not too ripe. fine tannins. a bit dry. some forest floor, some cedar shavings. tobacco. this is good.

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• 2000 Château Montrose 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

  more cedar shavings, some cigar smoke and earth. followed by black currant and then some sweet dark plums/deep and brooding. heady stuff.

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• 2007 Chateau Musar 91 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  a good showing and easy on the palate after several bordeauxs and cabs. plusher, sweeter, but refined. I like musar!

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• 2010 Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  tannins prevalent. underbrush tones, mushroom, wet leaves. minerals. stones. eucalyptus. then some raspberry. this needs time.

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• 2011 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  considering its youth this was open and incredible. This had sweet dark cherries and kirsch flavors along with silky fine tannins. great stuff.

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• 2010 Vietti Barolo Lazzarito 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  tasty. exotic fragrance of Asian spices and cherry liqueur. some mushrooms in there as well. black cherry. drying tannins. some liquor on finish. sweet and savory.

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• 2006 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Riserva Granbussia 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  forest floor eucalyptus, strawberries dusted with dirt. gripping tannins and lift strong minerals. orange rind.

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• 2005 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 91 Points

  Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

  ethereal, so light on its feet. strained strawberries and lighter red cranberries along with black earth. elegant stuff.

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• 2011 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  floral. not heavy yet rich. some star anise and some other funky but alluring spices. plums. I like it.

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• 2007 Jean-Luc Colombo Cornas Les Ruchets 89 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  pretty good. a bit simple compared to other wines, but still true to its locale. nice energy and singularity in its high energy fruit.

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• 2010 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog 90 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  very dark and brooding. tightly wound. didn't get some of the olive or meaty notes I was hoping. I think this was shut down.

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• 2010 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah Stonessence 90 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  a little more open than the cayuse. a bit sweeter and easier. dark berry. plums. some earth. decent.

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• 2008 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli 89 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  a bit reduced to me. almost too sweet. wasn't expecting that. some cherry ludens in there. nice kick on the end of minerals.

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• 2008 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  seemed closed. muted plums. not a noticeable nose. hmm not a great showing for me.

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• 2007 Tenuta Greppo (Biondi-Santi) Brunello di Montalcino 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  tasty. cherries. lots of them. minerals. wood notes. eucalyptus. cedar. hints of spices.

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• 2007 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  decent. can't seem to remember this one. just wrote decent. oh well.

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• 2010 Bodegas Muga Rioja Aro

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  interesting. never had this version of muga. seems extracted and deep and dark. not much energy, but instead a very masculine bruiser. no score. not sure about this.

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• 2002 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia 92 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  so elegant. refined cherry juice. and that nervy finish. just well made.

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• 2001 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 890 'Selección Especial' 93 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  quite good. big nose. strawberry. sour cherry, tangy orange. bigger palate. needs time to mellow. this will be great.

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• 2004 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva 93 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  this was good. seemed to be open for business. some darker elements of blackberry along with cherry. some smoke. some spice good energy. just a good package.

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