Marquis Philips Integrity vertical

This dinner had been in the works for a while and i am very glad it finally came to fruition. Randy and his friend Johnny are fans of Aussie Shiraz, and of the Integrity in particular. I had only one vintage and had never tasted the Integrity before so we began discussing a dinner featuring the vertical. Randy and Sarah opened their home to us, and everyone kicked in a couple of dishes and some excellent wines. We really enjoyed what ended up being an 8-hour event, with enough food and wine for a small army.

We enjoyed a selection of cheeses & prosciutto, marinated shrimp, chorizo-stuffed dates, stuffed tomatoes, lamb sliders, roasted duck, peppercorn-crusted prime bine-in ribeyes, mushrooms, brownies and apricot frangipane tart. Thanks to Randy & Sarah and Johnny & Michelle for some terrific food and conversation.

All served with food over the course of the evening. The Barolo and 5 putt followed the Integrity vertical.,

• NV G. Fluteau Champagne Blanc de Noirs Brut 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  Deep straw yellow color. Nice bouquet featuring baked peach, crystallized ginger, pear and almond. Deep and complex on the palate with honeycomb, apple, stone, almonds, ginger and nutmeg. Long finish. Best example of this we've had, sadly our last bottle.

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• 2002 Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne 88 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

  Deep color with mineral, stone and apple aromas; just the slightest hint of oxidation here. The palate follows the bouquet. Not bad, but not as good as the previous bottle.

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• 2009 Sine Qua Non On The Lam 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  Aromas of lemon oil, chamomille tea, apple, quince, ginger, honeysuckle and other florals. Fresh and lively, with bright acidity and flavors of minerals, coconut and lemon oil on the long finish. Drinking very well. 93-94 pts.

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• 2009 Kistler Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Deep garnet color. Black cherry, cola, clay and earth notes., along with a melange of baking spices including nutmeg and clove. Really bright, elegant fruit with a long vibrant finish. 92-93 pts.

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• 2010 Sine Qua Non Grenache Five Shooter 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Opened & decanted off its sediment 5 hours before tasting. Notes of white pepper, garrigue, herbs, red berry fruit and boysenberry jam. Medium- to full-bodied with lovely spice, red fruit, white pepper and blueberry tones. Long finish. I hadn't been much of a fan of Manfred's Grenache, but the last couple of bottles have been very enjoyable. A nice match with lamb sliders. 93-94 pts.

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• 2004 Pio Cesare Barolo 89 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Dusty garnet color featuring notes of rose petals, tar and dusty red currants. Dusty, sweet tannins with flavors of cherries, florals and red currants, with a dusty note on the finish. Slightly austere through the finish.

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• 2008 Royal Tokaji Wine Co. Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 93 Points

  Hungary, Tokaji

  Golden color. Pineapple, honey, marmalade and apricot aromas. Rich texture. Flavors of pear, apricot, honey and fruit cocktail syrup. Long finish.

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The vertical was poured in one flight and served with the duck, ribeyes and roasted mushrooms.

• 2001 Marquis Philips Shiraz Integrity 93 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Notes of mint/eucalyptus, leather, plum and dark fruit with a very subtle funky/bretty undertone that is rather enjoyable. Medium- to full-bodied with nicely integrated tannins and flavors of spice, vanilla, blackberry liqueur, and herbs. Hint of leather coming in on the finish. The most complex and ready of the four- solidly in its window and probably won't improve in my opinion. Should hold at this level for a couple of years, but I see no reason to wait. Drink now-2016. 93+ pts.

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• 2002 Marquis Philips Shiraz Integrity 91 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Aromas of mint, black fruit and blueberry with hot, alcoholic overtones. Tannins are firm and have a chalky texture. Flavors of black fruit, kirsch and prunes. Definitely has a ripeness to it, and also shows quite a bit of heat on the midpalate and finish. Came around a bit after a couple of hours in the glass- did not seem as hot. I'd hold it yet and see if the alcohol integrates a bit better. Drink from 2016+.

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• 2003 Marquis Philips Shiraz Integrity 92 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Notes of plum, blackberry and chocolate. Hints of leather after a couple of hours in the glass. Full-bodied with firm tannins and flavors of blackberry, plum, roasted herbs and caramel. Long finish with slightly chalky tannins. Also shows a bit of alcohol, though not to the extent of the 2002. Drink 2014-2017+.

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• 2008 Marquis Philips Shiraz Integrity 92 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Notes of chocolate, caramel, dark fruit and macerated plum. The palate mirrors the bouquet. Firm on the palate, with quite a bit of tannin to shed. After time in the glas it takes on a nice herbal, eucalyptus note. Doesn't show the alcohol tones of the 2002 and 2003. The 2002 may ultimately eclipse this vintage though, assuming it still has some fruit when the tannins and alcohol have integrated. Back to the 2008, very young and in need of a few years. Drink from 2017+. 92-93 pts.

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