A Post 50th Birthday Celebration with Friends

The Grunzweig Wine Room, Los Olivos
Tasted Friday, May 24, 2013 by JonnyG with 619 views

Introduction

A few close friends agreed to come over on the evening of the 23rd for a casual session to indulge in some special bottles the night after my 50th birthday. The intention was first to enjoy, and secondly to learn something along the way. The bottles selected did not disappoint. The ratings are mine, though the notes include collective impressions in many cases.

Flight 1 - Some Champagne to Welcome Everyone (1 Note)

  • 2005 Jean Milan Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Symphorine Blanc de Blancs Brut 93 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    This was my first of a 4-pack and dramatically outperformed my cautious outlook. Yeast on the nose, and some found notes of lavendar. Minimal bubbles. On the palate, there was impressive weight to the wine but it was never heavy, just a true powerhouse. Great salinity along with a clear pear aspect. Some lactic characteristics ("brioche") developed over time. Impressive acidity and a long finish. ran a surprise darkhorse campaign for WOTN but came up just short.

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Flight 2 - A Nod to California (1 Note)

  • 2008 Sine Qua Non Kolibri 91 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    Golden hued and inviting when poured, the nose was more tropical than floral, with notes of lychee, pineapple, honey and a touch of petrol/mineral oil as the viognier arrived to the party. Lush and unctuous honey and waxy coconut in the mouth, and a noticeable touch of heat. After a while, some marzipan and faint cloves. Impressively long finish. I very much enjoyed this but did find it utterly transformatory relative to other roussane-led wines I've enjoyed.

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Flight 3 - Two Burgundian Sisters (2 Notes)

  • 1969 Remoissenet Père et Fils Richebourg 94 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Richebourg Grand Cru

    The oldest Burgundy I've had the pleasure of trying, I approached this bottle with a combination of apprehension and humility after a slow-ox of some 8 hours. Thus began a true E-Ticket ride as the wine strutted its stuff with confidence and pride. The wine was darker in the glass than the '85 Remoissenet Bonnes-Mares served alongside it. The bouquet was initially dominated by a bit of barnyard funk, then menthol and pencil lead emerged. Later I observed distinct notes of chocolate and espresso. The wine was heavier on the palate than I expected, a real tour de force. Baked raspberry, fine herbs, cola, some ferrous aspects and bouillon were among the flavors detected. Amazing heft and an infinite finish. Never faded through the last drop. My WOTN, though consensus awarded that title to its younger sister.

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  • 1985 Remoissenet Père et Fils Bonnes Mares 94 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru

    A real surprise for me, just a standout performance from this bottle. Slow-ox'ed for about 8 hours. Tawny/light ruby colored in the glass. From the moment poured the wine showed off as complete a set of aromatics as I can recall having encountered, featuring enticing floral & sour cherry/strawberry notes. Feminine and elegant throughout the evening, we tasted tart raspberry, rhubarb, lavender and (yes, I must insist) hummus! Secondary and tertiary characteristics emerged through the course of the evening. Toasted oak and smoke at the end. The last pours were noticeably cloudy. Voted WOTN

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Flight 4 - Two Unassuming First Growth '78's (2 Notes)

  • 1978 Château Lafite Rothschild 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Served alongside a '78 Mouton without a decant or slow-ox based on uncertainty about the robustness of the wines, I am happy to say that each handily exceeded expectations for the vintage before fading after 45 minutes or so in the glass. Out of the bottle the Lafite exuded an intoxicating bouquet of dark raspberries , mocha and saddle leather. Beautifully integrated on the palate, the first sips showed restrained fruit, followed by an intoxicating interplay of chocolate and vanilla notes grappling gently with one another for prominence. Gripping sweet tannins gave way to a medium finish. The muted fruit and high acidity left the wine seeming a bit lean after a short while, but it was better to burn out than fade away for this supernova.

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  • 1978 Château Mouton Rothschild 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Like the '78 Lafite served alongside of it, I did not want to risk a decant, so popped 'n poured instead. From the first moment in the glass, an eticing bouquet emerged, with vegetal notes of green pepper and coffee grounds. After an initial acrid aspect blew off, additional aromas of cassis, blueberry & vanilla joined in. The wine was slightly green on the palate but elegant, with sweet figs the most prominent flavor for its 30-minute performance, after which a pronounced astringency impacted the taste. All in all a welcome showing from a scarcely admired bottling.

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Flight 5 - Hommage to a Legend (1 Note)

  • 1998 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Flawed

    Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

    I am afraid this treasure must have been heat-affected and never reached the heights it ought to have. Strong fig and molasses on the nose, very port-like. Nothing much on the mid-palate, though when sipped with food the cough syrup notes gave way to a flavor I can only describe as Halava. Alas, no depth. No rating offered. On to the next one!

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Flight 6 - A Nod to My Birth Year (1 Note)

  • 1963 Sandeman Porto Vintage 94 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Not reputed to be the best of the renowned '63's, this birth-year port astounded from the get-go. Fresh and profound from beginning to end, it probably did not need the 4-hour decant I gave it. Light ruby, translucent in the glass, with some bricking on the edges. Toffee, oranges and some cherry on the nose, plus some detected metal shavings. Balanced and rich notes of coffee and candied fruits on the palate, with a long finish. I was worried about this selection and now am thrilled to have a sense that I need not rush to get through my others.

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Closing

The beauty of wine for me is centered on the ability to create and share experiences with friends that are best engendered by opening special bottles which uniquely represent their places of origin. The wines on this night supported that philosophy to a "t". When it clicks, this kind of wine experience is made even better by the mirth and comraderie of the folks at the table. Thanks to the Wine Guys for joining. Here's to many more.

JG

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