Cali Cabs and Bordeaux at Ian's
Alexandria, VA
Tasted Friday, November 5, 2010 by isaacjamesbaker with 618 views
Introduction
Ian had us over to his new house to celebrate. He had some great wines popped. Most had been opened for four or five hours. The food was excellent: cheeses, crackers, braised short ribs, horseradish whipped potatoes and then dessert. The food was fantastic and the wines paired with it so wonderfully. I love aged cabs with a meat like short ribs that's more savory than powerful. ANd if all the wines had an overlapping feel, it was that of savory and smooth. I was impressed more of these weren't tired, although I was surprised by how over-the-hill the Caymus' were. Valerie loved being able to taste a lot of wines with us. Everybody had a great time, although I ended up quite amazingly drunk.
1995 Pierre Moncuit Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésimé 91 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
nose showed almonds, a bit of petrol and honey. really balanced on the palate: great creaminess, intense acid, powerful flavors of apples, almonds and chalk with a long finish. this wine has miles to go before it sleeps.
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1995 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection 87 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
light ruby colored. attractive nose of cedar, dried flowers and cherries.the palate was really soft, literally not a tannin to be felt. but there's still a lot of ripe fruit. soft, fruity finish.
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1995 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
rich, dark nose with pencil lead, pepper, earth and flowers. silky, refined, like an aged bordeaux. red licorice and cherries, laced with sweet pipe tobacco. i thought this had more stuffing than the special selection of the same vintage. odd, but i likes what i likes.
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1995 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
this was my wine of the night. in a perfect state right now. the nose showed exotic cigarbox, cedar and black cherry fruit. the palate was sexy and smooth. goorgeous currants, dried blueberry, laced with pencil lead, graphite. coffee grinds and shaved chocolate on the finish. gorgeous stuff that paired perfectly with the braised short ribs.
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1990 Dominus Estate 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
worst label ever, but the wine inside is very nice. this has aged beautifully. nose of cigar box and cranberries, some charcoal. a burst of sour cherries, currants, leaves. really smooth and refined with a medium+ finish.
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1990 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
exotic nose of herbs, peppermint and leaves. rich, with refined but powerful tannins. silky. the layers and the complexity of flavors is astounding. long finish.
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1990 Château Lagrange (Pomerol) 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
the nose is full of dark chocolate, plums and cherry liquer. rich and plump on the palate, with silky tannins. smooth, dried fruit with a bit of savory on the finish.
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1995 Château Clerc Milon 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
this had a really lively nose of currants, sour cherries. really silky, full with nice tobacco undertones. realy great wine with a long time ahead of it.
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1995 Château d'Armailhac 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
nose showed red fruit, dried rose petals and some soy suace. the palate is really zesty, great acid and lots of berry fruit.
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1975 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 82 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
light ruby colored with a dusty nose, with tomato paste and some game. too soft, even weak, on the palate with dusty, tired fruit and some gamey notes. past its prime, but still an interesting experience.
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1975 Château Giscours Flawed
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
moldy, moldy, moldy! corked as hell.
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1989 Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux 1ère Trie Le Haut-Lieu 91 Points
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
honeyed with quince, ginger. sweet, but balanced with acidity. i was drunk at this point, but remember loving this wine.
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