Don's 45th

Served with homemade bread, selection of cheeses, and olives.

• NV Philipponnat Champagne Réserve Rosée 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  Didn't get much nuance, length or complexity from this wine. With that said, it's still enjoyable and well put together. Seems to be a technically precise wine, although without much character.
  
  (Wine generously provided by Jay and Eric.)

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Served with Spanish zarzuela de mariscos.

• 2006 Mayacamas Vineyards Chardonnay 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

  Starting to darken just slightly. Showing subtle signs of age including a more rounded mouth feel. Lots of nice acidity and low oak along with rich concentration. More in the direction of a premier cru Chablis in style. This wine could continue to age.
  
  (Wine generously provided by Lynn and Jeremy.)

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• 2007 Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

  Bright and lemony. A biting acidity comes through on this wine--slightly unbalanced in that way, although I prefer more acid to not enough. Would prefer some more nuance and secondary characteristics. They may develop with age, but I have my doubts.
  
  (Wine generously provided by Jay and Eric.)

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• 2007 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru

  Rich concentration with high acidity and initial signs of age. Starting to develop some secondary flavors and length. Will continue to age for years. More depth and length than the Brocard 1er Cru Vaulorent that was drunk at the same time.
  
  (Wine generously provided by Jay and Eric.)

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• 1991 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia 94 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  I really enjoyed this wine. Was expecting much more oxidation, but felt this had lots of complexity and round warmth balanced with just the right amount of acidity. Nice long finish with honey flavors. Paired tremendously with a Spanish zarzuela de mariscos with almonds.

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Served with smoked duck salad followed by roast shoulder of lamb with roasted root vegetables.

• 1995 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 94 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Decanted 2 hours before consuming. Starting to brick in color. On the nose there is some smokiness. Rather gentle on the palate in both flavor and mouth feel. Some leather and mild fruitiness. It's more subtle than I was expecting, with less concentration overall, and should be drunk with food that doesn't overpower it.

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• 2003 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Didn't aerate, but probably should have. Very dark in color and big concentration. Somewhat harsh/abrasive tannins and a bit high-strung. It still needs time to soften up a bit. Lots of dark fruits, although acidity to keep them in check.
  
  (Wine generously provided by Jay and Eric.)

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• 2000 Château Péby Faugères 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Didn't aerate prior to consuming, but probably should have. For a 13 year old wine this still is a bit tight. Lots of concentration, and tough tannins. Should continue to improve with age. Dark berries and good acidity on the mouth. Similar in style to the '06 Hosanna that was drunk with, although the Hosanna had more ripe fruit while this was more tough.
  
  (Wine generously provided by Jay and Eric.)

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• 2006 Château Hosanna 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Decanted for 1 hour before drinking. Very dark in color. High levels of acidity, concentration, and fruitiness, and all balanced well. Black berries on the palate. Not a lot to criticize with this wine. Needs some time to come together. Should continue to improve for many years. Looking forward to tasting my remaining 11 bottles over the next 15 years.

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Served alongside dark chocolate cake with raspberries and fresh whipped cream.

• 1994 Graham Porto Vintage 94 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Decanted and aerated for 6 hours before consuming. The cork disintegrated when opening. Seemed dried and flaky, although the wine didn't appear to have leaked or suffered from air exposure. Dark, big, rich, sweet and fruity. 20% alcohol--almost over-the-top for me after a long gluttonous meal that included 9 other wines.

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