Dinner at the Givens Home

Newburyport, MA
Tasted Friday, October 27, 2006 by cgrimes with 443 views

Introduction

Dinner at the Givens-- always a pleasurable and unpredictable experience. This time D&M introduced us to their friends Mark and Jocelyn as well as old their old friend Casey (via cyberpictures and telephone) and his wounds after falling through a corregated fiberglass roof in Peru. Darcy's famous spaghetti carbonara was stupendous, creamy and elegant and complimented the wines well. This course was followed by salad with various greens, Market Basket toasted almonds and pomegranate seeds. Dessert consisted of vanilla ice cream and (literally) a pitcher of warm chocolate sauce. We were hosted from start to finish with impeccable flair, and conversation was witty and irreverent. The content of the conversation will not be repeated in a public forum as it could clearly impair future political aspirations :-) (Present: Mark, Darcy, Mark, Joselyn, Mags, Craig, and a few gutteral cries from Ansel upstairs)

Flight 1 (1 Note)

NV Gruet Winery Brut 86 Points

USA, New Mexico

Nose of pear. Very dry initially but fruit eventually came through for a pleasing overall experience. Tasted as aperitif with cheese plate.

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Flight 2 (1 Note)

1990 Steltzner Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 91 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

Slight but very pleasant leather, barn nose with dark fruits and a burst of blackberry and plum. soft, mouth-coating tannins on the palate. Long finish. I was surprised how fresh and vibrant and accessable it was.

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Flight 3 (1 Note)

1994 Château Cos d'Estournel 91 Points

France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

Nose of slight leather, and dark berries with a palate of cassis, blackberry, oak, and earth all of which was nicely layered. Good finish with soft tannins. This still has years of life left.

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Flight 4 (1 Note)

1995 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 91 Points

France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

Purple opaque, dense in appearance. Nose and palate was rich in dark fruits, largely cassis with solid tannin as backbone. Very solid wine with years of life left.

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Flight 5 - Casey's Choke Cherry Wine

Vintage 2001? Variable reports from the various guests, from nearly undrinkable to moderately interesting with a slightly skunked, minty nose. Tart cherry on the palate with faintly perceptible tannic structure. Very dry. We called the vintner himself for immediate feedback and suggestions for future vintages.