Minneapolis Wine Spectator Offline

Fire Lake Grill, Minneapolis MN
Tasted Sunday, March 10, 2013 by GoBlue2002 with 429 views

Introduction

Five Twin Cities area WS members gathered for a long evening of wine, food, and good company. All wines were opened upon arrival at the restaurant (most of the reds were double decanted at home) and more or less drank in the order indicated (non-blind).

Flight 1 (7 Notes)

  • 2009 Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard 94 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Rich, powerful, and decadent, this shows itself as a Cali chardonnay while at the some time maintaining balance and depth of fruit. This is not an elegant and ethereal chardonnay, but big; with aromas and flavors of stone fruit, peach, oak, and a little bit of butter & melon. The finish is long, complex, and inviting. Definitely my style of chardonnay. Brought to restaurant from refrigerator, and served appropriately cool but not cold.

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  • 2002 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Beaux Frères Vineyard 94 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge

    This wine was noticeably aged, yet still maintained a lovely fruity aroma with hints of spice and oak. It was well-balanced, light, and with flavors of ripe and dried berries, spice, and some mineral/earthy qualities. The finish was long and complex, and it seemed to sparkle on the palate. Very reminiscent of Burgundy, only better! Drink now!

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  • 2003 Brancaia Ilatraia Flawed

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    Another horribly corked wonder from Benchmarkwine.

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  • 2004 Castello d'Albola Acciaiolo Toscana IGT 89 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    65% Sangiovese, 35% Cabernet. Opened 2 hours prior to consumption. This wine was somewhat of an enigma, as we were unsure if it simply wasn't very expressive or was slightly corked. In the end we decided that it was fine to drink. Darker and showing less age than I expected, the reticent nose of black & red fruit lead to a full body. The finish was long and powerful but somewhat tannic. In the end this wine couldn't compete with the others in the lineup and the remainder of the bottle was left at the restaurant. Disappointing, even for a backup.

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  • 1997 M. Chapoutier Côte-Rôtie La Mordorée

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Drank with dinner, so no detailed notes to supply. I just didn't spend as long with this one as I had planned. Shows a firm backbone with a long, complex, and spicy finish. Went very well with my elk loin.

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  • 1966 Krohn Porto Colheita 95 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Golden brown in the glass, with aromas and flavors of fig, date, prune, and cloves. The finish on this wine seemed to flow on endlessly, with waves of complexity developing on the tongue. Quite an amazing port.

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  • 2001 Château Petit Védrines 88 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    A complex Sauternes from an excellent vintage. The color was slightly lighter than expected for a 2001. The flavors were well developed, but when drank alongside the 1966 Krohn Colheita this Sauternes was perhaps not unsurprisingly blown away by its raw power and depth of flavor. Still, this wine paired very well with the butterscotch dessert.

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Closing

An excellent evening with many new wines to experience. Thanks for everyone for making the night so special!

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