Thanksgiving 2023

Thanksgiving dinner with eight wines. We liked pretty much all of them, but there were a couple of standouts.

• 2015 Domaine Denis Mortet Gevrey-Chambertin Mes Cinq Terroirs 97 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin

  This wine blew everyone away and easily won WOTN. Silky mouthfeel, a harmonious palate with complex red fruit and earthy notes (raspberry, rose petal, mushroom, toasted oak) and a long finish for a fairly gentle wine. Seemed to be in a perfect drinking window.

  Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2021 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 94 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Although W-S has a reputation as one of the more age-worthy Cali pinots, I decided to pop this one early (inspired in part by strong CT feedback). This was brimming with dark cherry fruit that evoked a juicy bite into a summertime farmstand cherry. Luscious and smooth. Also showed some elegant notes of cedar, baking spice, and glacé clementines. The clear second-place finisher at the dinner table (behind the Red Burg).

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Vista Verde Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, San Benito County

  Outshined tonight by the W-S RRV which could be a surprise given that the VVV is a vineyard-designate, but the tasters opinions must prevail. The nose and flavors were a bit muted but primarily showed red cherry and forest.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2019 Saxum Broken Stones 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles Willow Creek District

  Typical Saxum inky color and dense mouthfeel. Powerful. The most unctuous and concentrated wine in the lineup but somehow finesse overcame force tonight and this wasn't one of the favorites. It very plainly favored a blue fruit profile – blueberries, dark plum at the forefront (but I’m a red fruit guy …). Seemed like it had room to evolve as the flavors were perhaps a bit one-note at this stage.

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2018 Carlisle Syrah Radiant Ridge 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  The most rustic wine we drank tonight, showing elements of peppercorn, black plum, and spice. Like the Saxum - very blue fruited.
  Next to the velvet pinots from France and California, this fell a bit short.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois 91 Points

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

  Not sure what to make of this wine since it had a distinct barnyard element that was either offputting or sophisticated. Notes of old leather, dried blood orange, meat, and blue stewed fruits. An interesting glass of wine, but I didn’t reach for a refill.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2020 J. Hofstätter Gewürztraminer Kolbenhof 93 Points

  Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol

  A very pleasant wine that toes the line between a classic, acidic Northern Italian wine and a sweeter Riesling – compare to a slightly underripe white peach. Golden color. The nose suggests sweetness, with elements of honey and candied peaches, but the flavor profile is a bit more bitter with stone fruits and white pepper spice. Popular at the dinner table.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 90 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  I'm not great at evaluating aged spätlese due to a lack of experience, but this was very enjoyable. This was like drinking honey wine – viscous, syrupy, delicious. Notes of flowers, honeycomb, green apple, ripe apple. It picked up steam (complexity) over time.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue