Dinner at Steve & Barb's house

Tasted Saturday, November 20, 2004 by JeffGMorris with 1,005 views

Introduction

It had been way too long since we got together with Steve & Barb so we made our way to Greensboro to remedy this

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

Wines before dinner

  • 1994 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain Sélection de Grains Nobles

    France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

    After removing the outer plastic wrapping, we were alarmed by the signs of old seepage on the outside of the bottle. Then the cork came out very wet. Not a good sign but maybe the bottle is still ok? No such luck. While drinkable, this wine was nothing like it should have been, and has been in the past. Copper in color, but some oxidative notes and a thick, syrupy consistency. Really a shame.

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  • 1998 Zind-Humbrecht Tokay Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal Sélection de Grains Nobles 92 Points

    France, Alsace

    Opened to replace the oxidized bottle of '94 Rangen Gewurz SGN. Medium gold in color and very youthful. Strong acidic backbone and plenty of minerals. Dissolves on the tongue with the start of the Jebsal-specific inner mouth perfume. This will develop more as this wine ages. Long, lingering finish. Very enjoyable now but should be a masterpiece in 10-20 years. 50+12+13+9+8.5 = 92.5+ (2 views)

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Flight 2 (3 Notes)

Wines with cheese - Brillat Savarin, Keen's Cheddar, Royal de Bourgogne, Humboldt Fog, Colston Bassett Stilton

  • 1989 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Herrenweg de Turckheim Vendange Tardive 89 Points

    France, Alsace

    Medium yellow in color with an effusive nose of roses and grapefruits. Powerful on the palate as is typical for Herrenweg with a definite development of some additional power/grittyness that seems to develop as Gewurz ages. Medium bodied and a medium length finish. A very good, solidly enjoyable wine if not quite in the same class as something like the '89 Goldert VT Gewurz. 50+12+11+8+8 = 89.

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  • 2001 Alain Paret Condrieu Lys de Volan

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu

    This highly touted Condrieau was dead. No fruit, just bitter notes like you might find in a very tired Marsanne-based wine. Was this a bad bottle ( no outward signs ) or is it just over the hill?

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  • 2002 Pride Mountain Vineyards Viognier

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Light yellow in color and our 2nd disappointing Viognier-based wine of the evening. Better than the Paret but still very tired. A little hint of barnyard and some bitter almond. No fruit to be found. Time to switch varietals for the evening!

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Flight 3 (1 Note)

With a salad of mixed greens, grapefruit and pistacchios

  • 2003 Huia Sauvignon Blanc 85 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

    Green tinged. Tropical and varietally correct with no cat pee. Light and refreshing with our salads. I'm not usually a big Sauvignon Blanc fan but this was very drinkable. Hu-ya! 50+11+10+7+7 = 85.

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Flight 4 (1 Note)

With beef tenderloin stuffed with chanterelles and herbs, green beans and a great potato gateau

  • 1998 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Decanted for 3 hours. Almost black in color. Terrific balance of sweet and sour notes. Very rich and full bodied with lots of berries. Long finish and relatively low tannin level. This is a Pride Reserve to drink while you let other vintages age. So much for '98 only producing bad wines. 50+13+14+9+9 = 95.

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Flight 5 (1 Note)

Between dinner and dessert while sitting on the deck on a 70 degree NC November evening

  • 2000 Switchback Ridge Petite Sirah Peterson Family Vineyard 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    If the Pride Reserve was almost black, I don't know how to describe the color of this wine as it seemed much darker! Loads of crushed berries in a huge and wild wine with fierce tannins. Despite this description it was surprisingly drinkable at this young age. Long finish. 50+11+12+8+8 = 89+.

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Flight 6 (1 Note)

With Chocolate Caramel Nut Torte

  • NV Buller Calliope Rare Tokay 93 Points

    Australia, Victoria, North East, Rutherglen

    Amber-brown in color this wine explodes as always with aromas of walnuts, caramels and butterscotch amongst others. Could not have been a better match with the Chocolate Caramel Nut Torte. Very decadent. 50+13+13+8.5+8.5 = 93.

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Closing

Another fabulous evening with the Souths!

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