Dinner with Herwig Janssen

A few of the DC Winos got together to share some with an out-of-town visitor. I put together a few notes, but was not heavily concentrating on note taking during the dinner. A fun evening with some great potential that some exceeded while others did not. A note about the Auberts - I love these wines for what they are but the '07s to me are particularly hot right now, more so than any other vintage I have tasted at the same stage in its development.

Not the best showing for Krug tonight but other times I have tasted this wine it has performed much better.

• 1996 Salon Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 95 Points

  France, Champagne

  At first not giving much, with a slightly hazelnut nose, the Salon developed from a touch bitter finish to a yeasty, lemony finish. Still very tight.

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• 1996 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut 94 Points

  France, Champagne

  Big nose on this wine, very biscuity aromas giving way to apple cider both in the nose and taste. Long finish but apple notes dominate.

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A "taste" of the Californian "Batard" for Herwig dominates this flight, but the Chablis was the clear winner. Served with Foie "Turron", Roasted Bone Marrow, Sturgeon Rillette and Savory Custard of Moschata Squash.

• 2001 Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 96 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru

  Intense and tongue coating, the Les Clos has great focus and length with a touch of grilled toast. Excellent balance and verve that makes it one of the most interesting wines of the night.

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• 2007 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Buttery, smoky nose that coats the tongue with huge fruit with a touch of vanilla and hazelnut.

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• 2007 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  A touch hotter and smokier than the Ritchie or the Reuling, with more intense fruit and some minerality showing on the finish. Needs more time to come together.

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• 2007 Aubert Chardonnay Reuling Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  At this time, less interesting than the Ritchie or the Lauren, very tight with smoky fruit dominating. Some hazelnut on the finish.

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These were actually served as two mini-flights as the two Rayas went out first and were consumed before moving to the Saxum. Served with a Cassoulet of Monkfish and Salt Cod Fritters.

• 1985 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 96 Points

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

  Unbelievable complex nose offering fruit and earth. Super rich and delicious, great balance – such a complete wine with a great finish.

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• 1995 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 96 Points

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

  Like the 85’s younger brother, very complex but fruitier nose with aromas of pine needles. Mouth coating richness with black fruits dominating, big finish as well.

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• 2006 Saxum James Berry Vineyard 85 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Huge, huge nose. Very alcoholic with deep, big fruits but also very hot and out of balance at the moment.

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• 2005 Saxum James Berry Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Drinking much better than the 06, still very big and alcoholic but the wine is in better balance, the fruit a little softer and some acidity providing a little better structure.

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All very different wines perhaps reflective of the very different terroirs they represent. Served with Muscovy Dusck Breast.

• 1988 Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru

  A delicate and complete wine with lots of cherry and dried strawberry. Good finish and balance.

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• 1997 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Bonnes Mares 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru

  Powerful fruit held in check but good structure and perhaps a bit of brett that adds a little spice.

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• 1995 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée St. Vivant 88 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Romanée St. Vivant Grand Cru

  Full nose and body but somewhat clipped finish with a bit of sweetness poking through. Not giving a whole lot at the moment.

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• 1999 Bernard Dugat-Py Mazis-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru

  Very big with a harder edge with sweet fruit and licorice surrounded by tannins that have yet to melt. Seems very young

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Served with 42-Day Aged Strip Loin of Beef and Ravioli of Lobster

• 1989 Château Lynch-Bages 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Initially tobacco and cedar with the dark fruit mixed in with some fall leaves but cedar becomes dominate over time

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• 1990 Château L'Evangile 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  super rich fruit up front, almost sexy but lacks the finish that one would expect.

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• 1990 Château Angélus 96 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Just like the L'Evangile before it, the Angelus shows super rich fruit but with added complexity and great length. Finishes as strong as it starts.

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• 1982 Château Mouton Rothschild 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Very well balanced with hints of cocoa and tobacco but has a mintiness that dominates the finish. Complete wine but maybe seems a bit muted.

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Perhaps the most consistent flight, all were delicious and all very different.

• 1977 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage 95 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Great aromatics and balance – rich with layers of fruit and spice.

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• 2001 Sine Qua Non Chardonnay Mr. K The Noble Man 94 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  Caramel apricot with lots of sweetness but not cloying because of the counterpart of acidity in this wine.

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• 1975 Jos. Christoffel Jr. (Christoffel-Prüm) Erdener Treppchen Riesling Beerenauslese 92 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Good sweetness and balance but lacks the punch of the SQN.

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• 1961 Château Climens 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

  very good spicy fruit, think mostarda di frutta but without the mustard, great balance to this wine but not so intense as the SQN or Taylors. Very pleasurable.

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All in all a fun event with a refreshing mix of wines.