Dinner with the Keegan's

Awesome 4 course dinner with NY Strip and Peter Luger style hash browns and brussel sprouts cooked with lardons amongst the highlights. Wines were drank in series but were not specifically paired with the courses. The Phelan Segur and Oerno had the benefit of a 2+ hour decant whereas the other 2 did not.

• 2005 Château Phélan Ségur 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

  Initial wine of 4 with the Keegan's. Unanimous 3rd but really that's due to the strong competition as this was quite nice. Starting to finally open some of my lower tier 2005's with pretty good results. Decanted 2+ hours. Really nice nose with currant, spice, and earth. Pretty long finish where the tobacco and earthiness kicks in. Only slight criticism is a bit lean in the middle with a bit too much acidity but that doesn't take away from a very good bottle.

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• 2008 Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno Toscana IGT 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Bottle 2 with dinner. A close #2 for me, tied for first overall. The girls favorite. This really opened up after 3 or so hours and I had the impression even more time would have been better. Really nice black cherry note with the darker fruits, probably the most balanced of the 4 wines not leaning too much to the fruit or too much to the leaner side. Glad I have another bottle to hold for a few more years. Expect in to jump a point or 2.

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• 2006 Larkmead Vineyards Firebelle 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  3rd bottle with dinner and my number 1. Tied for first with the 08 Oreno. To me this had the most fruit with a nice peppery and spicy finish. A little fuller and less acidic as well especially compared to the bordeaux. Really really good (as always).

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• 2005 Cantina del Pino Barbaresco 89 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  A bit hard to rate fairly since this was the 4th and last bottle with dinner. Ranked 4th overall by all of us but still enjoyable. General impression was much lighter and balanced than the barolo's I've had which was a good thing.

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4 great wines with 4 great friends over 4 courses. Can't complain about that.
The Oreno was a hit and the Larkmead was as reliable as ever. The bordeaux and barbaresco were quite good as well. Looking forward to other 05's in the future.