Hedonistic Diner, Part 2

Restaurant Le Défi, Sprang-Capelle
Tasted Friday, August 20, 2010 by jkoenen with 928 views

Introduction

Wonderful diner and ditto wines @ our favorite wine-and-dine restaurant.
Since these are informal tastings where emphasis is on savoring wines and food, rather than analyzing them, I suffice with brief imbressions and a score.
Wines tasted single blind.

Flight 1 - Bubbles (2 Notes)

Flight 2 - Whites (7 Notes)

A couple of very memorable whites

Flight 3 - Bordeaux Blends (10 Notes)

Very consistent level of high end wines throughout this flight

  • 1985 Château Cos d'Estournel 87 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    My guess was "Old Bordeaux 75?". Suppose that's not a compliment. Colour was pretty deep and lively, but I had some issues with the bouquet, which was rather musty and old. Not very appealing, though no apparent faults. 16/20

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  • 1986 Château Léoville Las Cases 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    Was stunned by the youthfulness and vivacity in this wine. Chewy, supportive tannines, fresh red fruit (seems even quite primary in its flavor profile). Fantastic. 18.5/20

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  • 1996 Château Cos d'Estournel 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    Gorgeous, classical beauty. Smoky and savoury notes on top of a dense structure and deep complexity. Really, really beautiful and starting to drink very well. 18.5/20

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  • 1999 Château Pavie 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Clearly different from all the previous Bordeaux-blends this night. Could this be the first Napa-wine? Good fraicheur, a hint of sweetness in the ripe and thick blanket of fruit. Gorgeous, melting tannines, creamy mouthfeel. Wonderful wine. 18/20

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  • 1995 Château L'Evangile 96 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    Utterly complex and noble bouquet of cinnamon, cloves, clack cherry and cassis, smoke and earth. Sexy and powerful, great balance and harmony in the well endowed finish. This beauty is deep, dense and complex, yet very drinkable and supple. A major achievement. God, this is good... 19/20

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  • 2005 Château Troplong Mondot 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Upon opening this boisterous wine is very tannic and slightly alcoholic. But after extended air time it turns out to be a very charming personality, quite drinkable even... Supple, sultry and slightly sweet. Could become a great wine when it developes adjuvant complexity in 3 to 5 years time. For now, 17.5/20

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  • 1997 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Supple, soft and slightly sweet on its entry. But this dries towards the finish, which is beautifully layered and complex. But... still really young, fresh and tannic... Try again in 2 years. 18/20

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  • 1999 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

    Opens up somewhat anonimous and modern, but unfolds in the glass into a classically structured, reticent and surly wine. Grilled bell pepper, tomato leaf, cranberries, canned cherries, good acidity. Could use a little more depth and complexity, but otherwise this is a beautiful wine. 18/20

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  • 1999 Ridge Monte Bello 92 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    Strangely enough this is the wine with the more traditional feel (when compared to the preceding Togni 1999). Cedar, ripe cherry fruit, cigars, earthy and friendly. Good stuff! 18/20

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  • 2001 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 94 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

    This was a very instructive eye-opener for me. Though ultra-international and modern in style, it was very obvious to me that it was NOT from Napa. No sweetness, mouthwatering acidity, very spicy, sweet tobacco, used leather. Very distinguished and classy. Slightly drying and chalky but ripe and showy tannines. A talented and extremely promising youngster! 18.5/20

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Flight 4 - Rhone (4 Notes)

Alas, this was a slightly disappointing flight. Usually I clearly prefer Syrahs over Grenache-based wines. But tonight the two Northern Rhone wines performed under my expectations. And the Grenaches... Well, again no real emotions there.

Flight 5 - Dessert wines (4 Notes)

My first bottle of Climens, and it performed!

Flight 6 - Afterparty (6 Notes)

No formal notes, just drinking and enjoying.

  • 2001 Penfolds Shiraz RWT

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    A sure bet, this classic bottling from Penfolds. A steady performer, combining the best of both worlds: New-World-panache and Old-World-values. Starting to enter its prime drinking window. Wonderful wine.

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  • 1998 Pago de los Capellanes Ribera del Duero Parcela El Picón

    Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

    Beautifully textured Ribera. In a wonderful spot right now. So why wait?

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  • 2001 Elderton Shiraz Single Vineyard Command

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa

    Larger than life, extreme concentration, slightly sweet. Loveable for its fruit purity and added typicity of eucalypt, coconut and mint. Needs a tad more depth and complexity, I would say. Maybe a few years in the cellar, will serve this cheeky brat right...

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  • 2004 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    Big and bold, in the modernistic, flamboyant style Ben Glaetzer is famous for. Certainly impressive and enjoyable, but I like my Aussies with a little more terroir and restraint.

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  • 2006 Hentley Farm Shiraz The Beast

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    Yeah! This rocked. Extremely deep, dark and concentrated. Certainly lots of high-toned fruit, but underneath it's all grim and growling.. Freshly shot game, meat, blood, ash and tar. Loved it.

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  • 2006 Lillian Winery Syrah

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    Man, was I impressed by this wine. Laser-like focus mixed with very pure, deep and mouthfilling flavors. A gorgeous take on New-World Syrah. Spicy fruit mix, topnotch acidity, just the faintest hint of RS (or is that alcoholic sweetness?).
    Have to buy this wine.

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Closing

Personal WOTN: 1995 Evangile
Other wines to look out for: SQN whites, Lillian Syrah, Boxler Riesling

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