Dallas 2nd Wednesday Group - May 2010

SteveW offered to cook dinner for 10 of us on the first Wednesday of the month so we eagerly took him up on his offer. SteveW is quite the accomplished cook and prepared a lovely meal for us consisting of:

Cheeses to start

Sit down and ...

Pan seared breast of duck over black rice noodles with truffle oil

Asparagus salad with red & yellow tomatoes in a balsamic & bleu cheese reduction

Mixed grill of quail and rack of lamb in a cabernet/fig/pear reduction with truffle mashed potatoes and green beans

Chocolate Mousse with fresh black berries.

In attendance were BobH, ChrisS, DavidW, JaneH, JohnK, KamN, MichaelH, MichaelB, SteveW and myself with a quite fly by from CraigC.

Wine theme was 1990 Around The World. Most wines were served in full view but a few were served double blind to mix things up a bit. Champagne and Whites to start the evening while we walked around mingling and nibbling on cheeses. Sweet wines to wrap things up on the patio at the end of the evening.

Now onto the show...

• 1990 Duval-Leroy Champagne Femme de Champagne 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  WIML91-92
  
  Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout with medium beading. Light notes of sherry up front followed by orange zest and freshly baked bread. Flavors of tangy yellow apples dominate with added notes of lemon zest and light cherry notes. Bright acidity, medium body. Drink or hold but in such a good place right now I'd drink.

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• 2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  WIML91-92
  
  Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of acacia, herbs du Provence and diesel. Flavors of yellow apple, yellow pear and minerals. Medium acidity and body. Drink or hold.

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• 2005 Kistler Chardonnay Dutton Ranch 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  WIML90?
  
  Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of waxy pears, apples and a light spice notes. Flavors of yellow apples, yellow pears and light creme notes. Light to medium acidity, medium body. Drink over the short term.

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• 2006 Chasseur Chardonnay Lorenzo Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  WIML90-91
  
  Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of nutmeg, cream, vanilla and a hint of orange foam. Flavors of vanilla, lemon and orange. Medium acidity and body. Drink or hold.

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• 2002 Bouchard Père et Fils Corton-Charlemagne Domaine Flawed

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

  WIMLNR
  
  Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of herbs, wet stones and paraffin. Flavors of yellow pears, minerals and light lemon notes. Medium acidity, light to medium body. Not rated because the aromas and taste seemed like it was suffering from premox. Odd about the color though. Definitely off at the minimum.

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• 1990 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Cuvée Laurence Flawed

  France, Alsace

  WIMLNR
  
  Wine was corked.

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• 1990 M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac 94 Points

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

  WIML93-94
  
  Garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty looking. Nose of leather, potpourri, spices and a hint of melted black licorice. Solid flavors of berries and cherries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Silky smooth finish. Drink or hold.

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• 1990 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  WIML91-92
  
  Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of cocoa, black cherries, tobacco and thistle. Flavors of black berries and black cherries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink anytime.

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• 1990 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  WIML91
  
  Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of rose petals, dust, smoke and black cherries. Flavors of black berries, black cherries and a hint of licorice. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink anytime.

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• 1990 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  WIML91
  
  Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of white pepper, black cherries, dried herbs, anise and a hint of leather. A little camphor upon revisit. Flavors of black cherries, black berries and plums. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium body. Drink or hold.

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• 1990 Château Cantenac Brown 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  WIML90
  
  Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of melted black licorice, herbs, peet and a bit of florals. Flavors of berries, cherries and balsamic. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink over the shorter term than longer term.

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• 1990 Château Lynch-Bages 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  WIML91-92?
  
  Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of dried herbs, a hint of smoke, black cherries and black berries. Flavors of black berries and black cherries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink with some air or continue to hold.

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• 1990 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  WIML90-91
  
  Served double blind. Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, slightly cloudy looking. nose of florals, tobacco and black cherries. Flavors fo black berries and black cherries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold. My guess was its the 1990 Pontet Canet.

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• 1990 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  WIML90-?
  
  Served double blind. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose is a bit green with other aromas of camphor, anise and a hint of leather. Flavors of licorice, berries and iron. Light to medium acidity, medium tannins and body. Drink now. My guess was a 1990 California Cabernet Sauvignon.

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• 1990 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  WIML92+
  
  Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of cocoa, tobacco, black cherries, forest floor and a hint of saddle soap and leather. Flavors of black cherries and black berries. Medium to bright acidity, medium tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink or hold. Although I think the Lalande that followed is the technically superior wine this Baron is drinking really nice right now and completely in the sweet spot.

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• 1990 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  WIML93
  
  Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of thistle, cigar box, black cherries, spices, melted black licorice and a bit of perfume. Flavors of black cherries, black berries, dark plums and a hint of black currants. Medium to bright acidity, medium tannins and body. Drink now with some air or continue to hold. Almost there.

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• 1970 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  WIML90-91?
  
  Tasted double blind. Garnet color in the glass, fairly clear hue. Nose of leather, iodine, roast meat and a bit of dark fruit. Flavors of berries dominate with a bit of mixed dark fruit. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink now. My guess was a 1974 left bank Bordeaux showing much better than it should given the vintage.

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• 1990 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Goldert Vendange Tardive 92 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  WIML92
  
  Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of apricot, lychee, light peach notes and a hint of cinnamon. Flavors of peach, apricot and soaked pears. Medium acidity and body. Drink or hold but I'd drink.

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• 1995 Château Suduiraut 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  WIML90
  
  Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of Windex, minerals and not much more. Flavors of apricot and honey. Medium acidity and body. Palate was good, nose lacking a little. Split the difference. Drink now.

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Many thanks to SteveW for not only hosting our group in his lovely home but for taking on the task of preparing such an excellent meal for the ten of us. We look forward to next year.