South Charlotte Wine Lovers - Pre and Post Millennium Tasting

Tom's turn to host. He chose "Pre and Post Millennium" as the theme. Each couple to bring one wine from before 2000 and one after.

Bob and Anita are quickly becoming the King and Queen of appetizers. For the Champagne Flight, Bob prepared Crab Cakes the way I like them - with mostly Crab and little Cake! The kind of crab cakes that opens up when your fork touches it since it is loaded with so much crab. Bob shared with us that he uses Ritz crackers as his secret binder (a lot of folks just use saltines)

• 1997 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Noirs Late Disgorged 92 Points

  USA, California

  Had alongside an '02 non-late disgorged. This was preferred by most if not all. This was dryer and definitely "yeasty" but both in a good way. Had a creamier mouthfeel and went better with our appetizers than the non-late disgorged.

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• 2002 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Noirs Brut 90 Points

  USA, California, North Coast

  If drinking by itself I probably would have scored higher. But preferred the late disgorged we had alongside which affected this score. This was fruitier (apple, pear) and I actually preferred this with my first sip. But ended up being a little too sweet as time went on and did not pair as well with food. Still, I drank every drop! Good stuff.

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For this flight, paired with a wonderful mushroom and brie appetizer, we paired two wonderful vintages of Chateau Montelena. No Bottle Shock here.

• 1994 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Unbelievable that this was a 1994 and drinking as well as it is. Although there was very slight browning around the edges that tipped off how old it was. Dark fruits, boysenberry, cedar and currants with medium/long finish. Tom brought this bottle. I have one laying down in my cellar that I have been saving for my son's 21st Bday. Happy to check in and know that this will make it the final year and a half until I open with no issues at all.

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• 2005 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I love being able to taste wines together for comparison. This is another wine though that I think would have scored higher if I were drinking stand alone. But just did not have the stuffing or character that the '94 did that we had alongside. This fruit was a bit brighter with nice currant, a little anise with a medium finish. Very nice wine with 10+ years to go.

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For Dinner, we had Caesar Salad and Tom prepared Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf and double stuffed potatoes. When Tom told me he was making meatloaf, I was a little nervous. This is not your mom's meatloaf though. The was the best meatloaf I have EVER had - period. Went very well with the cabs.

• 1990 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I have not had a bad Special Select to date including this bottle. This is the oldest SS I have had to date and it did not disappoint. Thank you Tom for opening. This was "wine of the year" in '94 and a treat to taste. At 23 years, this wine drank like a 10 year old bottle to me (which is a compliment as I don't like them too old when they lose their vibrancy). This wine was the essence of Character. DARK fruits and a long finish. Fantastic wine. Tied for second place for WOTN.

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• 2005 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Nice big tannins ("Rutherford Dust") that over-powered the fruit at this point just a little telling me this will benefit from a little more time laying down. Even with the big tannins though, this wine had a nice smooth mouthfeel. Medium long finish. Love Rutherford wines.

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For desert, we had home made Pecan Pie. (pronounecd "pe-can" - NOT "pe-con" as we were informed passionatley by Lynn). This was as good if not better than what grandma used to make. Lynn had two pieces to go with her two glasses of wine!

• 1999 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  No bricking or signs of age. Cork did break in half when opening - but wine was in tact. Mint and Cedar followed by blue and black fruits with a little caramel. Long legs. Maybe a little hot. Biggest tannins on any wine this night. Think could benefit from 5 more years in the cellar to improve a point or two. Classy wine.

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• 2009 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  Teeth staining dark wine. All Howell Mountain. This had the best nose of any wine this night as the aromatics lept from the glass as if if they were propelled by a small fan. Black and Blue fruits, minerality, anise, with the longest finish of the night. Smooth like velvet. Tied for second place for WOTN.

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What a treat it was for Tom to dig way down deep, all the way to the bottom row and pull out this beauty of a port!

• 1977 Fonseca Porto Vintage 96 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Tom went deep in his cellar for this one. Dust on the bottle and everything. To say this was a joy to taste would be an understatement. By far, the best Port I have had to date and oldest as well. Bricking and almost orange in color with a thin clear edge. The smallest of sips was completely mouth filling with pleasing cherry, raspberry and strawberry flavors. Unbelievable way to end the night (if only I had had a nice cuban cigar to go with it...) WOTN

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Another fantastic line up of wines and great food. My turn to host next. Can hardly wait...