Saturday night in the O.C.

Chez GlennK
Tasted Saturday, March 19, 2011 by Javachip with 517 views

Introduction

Many thanks to Mr. & Mrs. GlennK for hosting a wonderful offline at their lovely home. The wines were superb, the meal delicious, and the company fabulous as usual.

Flight 1 (9 Notes)

All red wines were properly decanted. Except for the Montrose, they were tasted non-blind.

  • 2007 Didier Dagueneau Silex 96 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé

    Possibly the best dry white still wine I have tasted. Bright, fresh notes of gooseberry, white grapefruit, and lemon, with crisp flinty minerality. Somebody, take this bottle away from me before I empty it. Reminds me of the 2009 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc, or a top quality Sancerre, or even a Muscadet. This is what California fume blancs wish they could be, but aren't ... although Merry Edwards comes close. But ... $100 for a sauvignon blanc? I dunno... This tied for first place as wine of the night.

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  • 1985 Salon Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 94 Points

    France, Champagne

    Offering the sort of complexity and nuance that only long aging can provide. Subtle mousse. Intriguing notes of sherry, lime marmalade, slate, alfalfa puree, mushrooms, and pine needles. GKapoor mentioned mulling spices -- spot on. A unique experience. Third place for the night.

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  • 2006 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc De L'Orée

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    I am now 0 for 3 with white Rhones, and beginning to think I am just not a fan of this style. Gkapoor raved about the "spices, cloves, and white fruit" but all I found were grass, broccoli, roasted nuts, a bit of white flower and nougat. On the palate, I found this to be pure and fresh, if watery, with no hint of the 14% alcohol. Not rated.

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  • 1970 Château Montrose 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    Tasted blind. Dark blood-garnet hue. Bouquet of scorched earth, tobacco, red currants, cedar. My notes read "Aged Bordeaux. Pre-1995 Left Bank, not Margaux. 1989 Graves?" Someone else guessed 1990 Leoville Barton, which seemed quite plausible. When the label was revealed, I thought, it tastes old, but not that old. Later it showed more rusty iron character, but remained strong throughout the evening.

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  • 1990 Ridge Monte Bello 91 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    Clear deep dark blood-garnet. Notes of red plum, eucalyptus, beef blood.

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  • 1986 Château La Mission Haut-Brion 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Clear deep dark blood-garnet. Notes of scorched earth, red plum, rusty iron.

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  • 1986 Château Léoville Las Cases 97 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    Fantastic wine. Youthful, bright crimson-garnet, still showing some violet hue. Somehow the color was more vibrant than the others -- almost electric. Stunning bouquet of bright fresh currants, blackberries, pencil shavings, charcoal, earthy mushrooms. Full-bodied and seamless on the palate. GlennK and Gkapoor thought this was still on the upswing. Tied for first place tonight.

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  • 1982 Château Beychevelle 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    Clear dark blood-garnet. Superb bouquet of red currants, leather, tobacco, and pencil shavings. Powerful, full-bodied, seamless. Classic old Bordeaux. This bottle was opened 7 hours in advance, allowed to breathe for 3 hours, decanted for an hour, then re-bottled and brought to the tasting. The extended aeration helped tremendously. It seemed tired and thin initially, but it gained weight -- lots of weight -- over a few hours. Second place for the night.

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  • 1970 Château Filhot 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    From 375 ml. Clear light amber-honey hue. Notes of pine needles, honey, apricots, allspice. This needed an hour of decanting to open and freshen, and could have used more time. A fine example of aged Sauternes.

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Closing

Thanks again, Mr. & Mrs. GlennK, and cheers to all who attended.

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