Dinner with friends

Last night, my wife Jane and I went out to a BYO in Willoughby, Ohio with a few other couples. The food was great and we enjoyed a long leisurely dinner over 4 hours of great conversation and wine. It was a fun evening where other guests stopped by our tables as did the restaurant staff. I know Jane and I feel privileged to have friends to share our wines with on such an evening.

Wines were served in this order with a constant supply of new foods.

• NV Duval-Leroy Champagne Cuvée Design Paris 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  I believe someone said this was bottled in 2006. Light golden in color. Lots of smaller bubbles. Toasty, yeasty on the nose and very pleasant. On the palate, this is balanced. On pouring it is quite crisp with nice green apples. With air, it rounds off a bit and fresh baked bread notes emerge. Quite delicious.

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• 2001 Montaribaldi Barbaresco Sorì Montaribaldi 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  This was popped and poured. It would have benefited from decanting as it just seemed to get better and was gone. Ruby/purple in color. The nose is dusty, cherries, and some tar. Medium bodied. Showing some complexities, but really still kind of young. I had 6 of these and not made it to full maturity but all were really enjoyed. Cherries with some forest floor notes. Excellent acidity. Long finish.

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• 2009 SonkinCellars Persona

  USA, California

  I won't say much here just a quick status update. This has settled down a bit in the few weeks since bottling and release. I slow-o'd it for 3 hours and it could have used about 5 (at least) or an hour in the decanter. Some initial heat goes away after a little air. There is not much oak, so the tannins are manageable young, but it does add tannins with air. I am happy. No harm now, but IMO a couple more years in the cellar would help.

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• 2007 Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  A friend brought this, I had not heard of it. I see it can be found for $40 and there is a lot of value for an 07 Napa Cab at that price point. I do think it needs 3 or more years in the cellar to develop. Purple/ruby in color. This was splash decanted for 20 minutes and poured. The nose is great. There is oak, think of a humid lumber yard on a summer day, but not overpowering and actually reasonable. Also plenty of cassis and boysenberries and spice (nutmeg?). On the palate, this is much more tight and never fully unwound. The texture is there and everything seems in balance. Great mouthfeel. One to look for.

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• 2006 Caliza Winery Azimuth 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Another wine I had not tried before. This is a GSM plus alicante bouschet and tannat. I believe the grapes come from Torrin. Purple in color. The nose is huge. Black raspberries, oak (lumber and coffee grinds), a bit of funk, strawberries, blueberries and black pepper. On the palate, it is very good, I think air or decanting would help a bit as it took some time to come together. This is a larger Paso Rhone blend and it was a bit problematic with my eggplant parmesan. It went great after and with dessert though. Another winery to add to my radar.

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• 2007 Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  My second time trying this wine and both times I really enjoyed it. Probably the most upfront straightforward wine on the table. Ready to drink now. We got to later in the evening. Ruby/cassis in color. The nose is nice with cassis, blueberries, and spice. On the palate, medium bodied. Nice upfront fruit with some light tannins. Worked with food. IIRC, this is also around $40. Not a stunning value but fair for a wine to drink over the next five years.

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• NV Graham Porto 20 Year Old Tawny 91 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  This was bottled in 1998 and stored. Does it change during that time? I would think so. Light brown in color. The nose reminded me of a chunky candy bar; dried milk chocolate, nuts, caramel and raisins. On the palate, this is smooth, nutty with just a touch of alcohol heat. It was not decanted and I think the air in the glass helped the heat issues. I was expecting it to be sweeter and it was barely sweet at all. We ordered a bunch of desserts. I thought it went great with bread pudding although there were some votes for the creme caramel and chocolate ice cream The lemon ice cream was not a good match. Very nice way to end the evening.

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We did try some other wines at the end of the evening. A younger couple was leaving and they gave us half a bottle of the 2008 Kenwood Jack London Merlot. I tried it. Meh. innocuous at best but it was a very nice gesture. Also, another 07 Napa cab was opened late. I did not remember the name and a quick taste found it slightly sweet/ripe. To be fair, I had no palate left nor could I give it a fair tasting.