PHMG WAG: Tour de France 2014

An annual event for this group which doesn't usually get many whites out of me. Perfect for summer. The wines were open for over 4 hours. Reidel gourmet glasses used because of the varying types of wines and our desire not to clean over 50 more appropriate stems!

• NV André Clouet Champagne Silver Brut Nature 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  A little strange to be drinking this out of a Reidel "gourmet" glass, but given the tasting, the number of folks, and the variety of wines, it was what it was. This continues to be a fresh acidic wine with white fruit, apple, and minerals. Some toast/ dough on the finish. Very decent QPR @$36.

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• 2004 Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile 91 Points

  France, Alsace

  A nice light gold color, this wine has notes of tart citrus, flowers, stone fruit, some tropical fruit, and the requisite petrol. Similar on the palate with moderate acidity and minimal if any sugar. Very nice mouthfeel and length. Has LOTS of time. Deserves some spicy food.

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• 2010 Domaine du Closel-Château des Vaults Savennières La Jalousie 89 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières

  Nice QPR in a Chenin. Apple, white peach, and some citrus notes dance with the minerals and stone/flint. Without being amazing in any way, it still leaves you in a nice state of "ahhhhh..."

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• 2011 Château Picque Caillou Blanc 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  This is a nice open wine with citrus, melon, spice, and grass (not like the New World'ers!). Better with food given the acidity.

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• 2009 Domaine Laroche Chablis 1er Cru Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes 90 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

  Surprisingly rich for a Chablis, it still had the nice acidity and stone notes you expect. Apple, pear, and citrus fruit dominate the middle. Fair QPR @$41.

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• 2010 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc La Crau 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Light gold color, this wine has a nice viscous mouthfeel compared to some of the previous wines in this tasting. Stone fruit, tropicals, floral, almond, and minerals persist nicely. Would love to try this again in 2-3 yrs.

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• 2012 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé 90 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Typical color and an expressive nose of red berries, spice, and citrus. Add some watermelon and minerals to the nice balance and depth on the palate. Now-2015. Fair at best QPR @ $40.

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• 2003 Domaine Bertagna Vougeot 1er Cru Clos de la Perrière 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vougeot 1er Cru

  I was hoping not to like this and have another excuse to stick with our homegrown PN. Damn! It has a open nose of mixed red and black fruit, baking spices, and earth. Lovely silky texture and balance. Not light or elegant, but those aren't my favorite PN's. This is surprisingly rich for an 11 y/o wine, still has 5 yrs if the provenance was like this one.

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• 2003 Château Rauzan-Ségla 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  My WOTN, mostly because of my idiosyncratic love for typical Bordeaux notes. Ripe black fruit and cigar box with some earth and vanilla. Silky and sexy texture, true to its roots in Margaux. Nice long finish, now-2020.

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• 2009 Saint Cosme Côte-Rôtie 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Didn't blow me away like in 6/12, but this bottle was still outstanding. Black fruit, spice, pepper, and earth all in good depth and length. Made me want to have some more syrahs, perhaps in an upcoming event...

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• NV Domaine La Tour Vieille Banyuls Reserva 90 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Banyuls

  A fun way to end our Tour de France with some various Endangered Species chocolates and this wine that is so dependable! Red licorice, berries, plum, and underbrush play a naked tug of war with the sugar and 16% etoh. Ahhh...fairly hedonistic!

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Always a great theme which allows us to have a broad palette to cross our palates. The 3 older wines were really a treat!