2015 Napa Family Celebration

Seems to happen every year, another birthday rolls around (that's a good thing!). We gathered for a private dinner on Thursday, and it seemed like we were enveloped in the warm glow of family love, warmth, joy and appreciation that all of us could be together. What more could you want!

We had a pleasant assortment of nuts and cheeses as the group was gathering, and then move to the table for a delicious composed salad with walnuts, pears, a few strawberries and luciious greens

• 2010 Domaine Carneros Brut 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Aperitif..good choice for early arrivals; clean and a bit yeasty.

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• 2004 Dom Pérignon Champagne 94 Points

  France, Champagne

  lovely bottle, presented itself perfectly. Really good structure with excellent "gravely" base and strong backbone. There was definite nuttiness, apples and pear overtones that matched to salad entree perfectly

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A classic, served with tiny pasta shells. Wonderful foil for the featured wine of the night with which all of us were very very impressed !

• 1997 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Wonderful wine to share and enjoy! It was given to me by someone very special 5 years ago and has been carefully stored since then. The wine jumped out of the bottle and glass; cork was the first hint we were in for something special. It was very fruit-forward with lots of dark berry flavors up front, and had wonderful mid-palate presence. A very elegant wine with great integration and balance. Over then meal it evolved a bit with a bit of cedar and anise coming through later on.

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A Carrot Cake (!) was handcrafted by Cade and Company (lactose and dairy- free); the perfect end to a perfect meal. The Billecart-Salmon rose was an unanticipated combination that was simple terrific! I had anticipated that the Sauterne would have been the choice, but that wasn't to be!

• 2001 Château Rieussec 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  I had high expectations but it was disappointing. Classic sauterne vintage and presence: medium golden honey color, honey and dried apricots and vanilla. It just wasn't appealing, and somewhat disjointed. Definitely not corked but this bottle just didn't present itself well

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• NV Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Rosé 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  This is a terrific wine, consistent from year to year, which is essential for a NV product. It has a touch of residual sugar and we enjoyed it at the end of the meal with a special Carrot Cake from Cade and Company. I was not at all sure that it would work but was a much better pairing than the sauterne that was also served

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In the middle of what turned out to be a tumultuous week, the time we spent around the table was special and a living memory that spanned 3 generations. The newest member was not available, but she will be on board next year and join the birthday celebrations!