Vindredi

Cellar night at Mike's house. A varied and interesting set of wines. I brought the Gramercy, and thought it, and the 1998 Beau-Sejour Becot, were my WOTN.

• 2009 Weingut Markus Huber Grüner Veltliner Obere Steigen 90 Points

  Austria, Niederösterreich, Traisental

  Tasted blind. Muted florals, light honey and chalkiness fill the nose. Soft, round body, almost luscious mouthfeel, but still bone dry with excellent minerality. Hints of lemon and green apple as well. Medium finish. Quite enjoyable.

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• 2000 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Viña Gravonia 87 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Tasted blind. Lots of beeswax, and perhaps some burned rubber, on the nose. A bit funky for my taste. Tons of acid on the body, to the point of being overly tart. The age comes through, but in a good way.

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• 2005 Betts & Scholl Hermitage Blanc 88 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Tasted blind. Intense nose. Melon, big fruit flavors, and a hint of tequila. Dry, nervy and acid driven body. Medium weight, but still a big wine. Lemon and glycerine dominate the body.

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• 2005 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Viña Real Gran Reserva 91 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Tasted blind. Definitely funky on the nose, rounded out with some oak spice, dark fruit, and smoke. You can taste the age on the body. Medium-plus weight, with cherry and earth. Soft, fine tannins give this wine good length and balance.

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• 2002 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  Tasted blind. Oak and spice on the nose, but in nice proportion. A bit bright on the body, with cherry and dark berry fruit leading into a lengthy finish. Fine tannins and nice acidity round out the package. Overall quite nice, if a touch hot.

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• 2005 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Tasted blind. Barrel spice, blackberry and plum on the nose, along with a bit of heat. Big, juicy, and ripe, this has a classic Napa profile. Fine tannins and big acids round out the package.

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• 2009 Gramercy Cellars Syrah John Lewis Reserve 95 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  Double-decanted 4 hours prior to tasting. Ripe blueberry, roasted meats, and an earthy funk on the nose. Touch of heat, too. Super smooth, supple body. Great fruit (big, ripe, and juicy), earthiness, and umami, with super-fine tannins and an incredible finish that lingers for quite some time. Definitely needs a big decant if drinking now.

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• 1998 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Tasted blind. Great nose. Classic Bordeaux, with wood spice and some earthiness. Still has some fruit left, but leaning more towards tea, tobacco, and earth on the soft and elegant body. Superfine tannins, with great length on the finish. Very well balanced, and drinking quite well at this stage.

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