A Fine Night at La Belle Vie

La Belle Vie, Mpls
Tasted Friday, December 19, 2014 by rocknroller with 253 views

Introduction

Four of us gathered to celebrate a birthday and the holidays. The wines were excellent and the company was superb. Service and food is always impeccable at LBV and this night was no different!

Flight 1 - Chards (2 Notes)

  • 2009 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series 94 Points

    Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

    Pale gold color. PNP. Drank 2+ glasses over 90 minutes. Oh, I just love this nose....great from the outset I'm struck by the earthiness, very floral, meyer lemon, tangerine, citrus, mild oak and distinct stoney minerals. The palate is medium full bodied, quite fresh and crisp, wonderfully vibrant acidity, wet stone minerality, meyer lemon, tangerine, pear, melon, round, lighter-medium oak, and a long mouthwatering finish. This was just so nicely balanced, elegant and well defined by its laser beam acidity and splendid minerality. Drinking outstanding now.

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  • 2010 Shafer Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

    Light gold color. PNP, drank 2 glasses over 90 minutes. A little slower to full emerge, the nose develops over 20 minutes or so. The nose has pineapple, oak, apple, and orange blossoms. The palate is full bodied, deep, apple, lemon, pineapple, tangerine, mildly buttery, oak, spices. Medium plus finish. 92+ to 93pts. Needed time to fully show.

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Flight 2 - CDP (1 Note)

  • 2001 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine du Caillou Les Quartz 94 Points

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

    Dark red color. PNP, drank 2 glasses over 90 minutes. Great nose, smoke, raspberry-strawberry tart, fresh tobacco, lavender, deep damp earth, and herbes de Provence. The palate has medium plus body, black cherry, red currants, choke cherry, tart, anise, tobacco, pepper, asian spices, and silky tannins and a long savory finish. 94+pts.

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Flight 3 - Dessert (1 Note)

  • 1998 Château d'Yquem 96 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    Deep gold color. PNP, from 375ml. Drank 2 glasses over 45 minutes plus. Wow, amazing nose, amazing plate, incredible purity and impeccable balance. A wonderful bottle that does everything you expect from d'Yquem. The nose is explosive with citrus blossoms, orange marmalade, cream brule, tangerines, peach, honey and spice cake. This just dances across the palate with its crisp acid and perfect sweetness, full but not at all syrupy, rich, tangerine, orange marmalade, creamsicle, honeysuckle, apricot and a long juicy finish. What gorgeous nectar this is. WOTN 96+pts

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Flight 4 - Bonus (1 Note)

  • 2002 Domaine Rolet Arbois Tradition Blanc

    France, Jura, Arbois

    From Magnum. Small pour over a few minutes. Medium gold color. Cépage : Chardonnay : 50% ; Savagnin : 50%. Very oxidative style, sherried, raisin, citrus notes, bitter nuts. Would have worked better in another setting as it was tough to follow after the d'Yquem. Interesting wine....Thanks to Craig for the chance to try this!

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