Dinner at Mom's House

I took my wife and kids on a short two hour drive to visit my Mom. After an active day that included taking the kids bowling, she prepared an excellent meal including pork chops in a sauce of raisins and apples, fried potatoes with rosemary, and mixed greens with fresh fruit and a raspberry vinegarette. I broght along four bottles of wine that I thought would complement the meal. We sipped on the first two prior to dinner, and then consumed the CdPs with dinner.

• 2001 Pine Ridge Vineyards Chardonnay Dijon Clones 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  The color is golden yellow. The nose is an expressive blend of lemon, orange zest, and pear with a hint of smoke. On the palate this is little heavier than I expected (tending towards thick and syrupy) but with intense flavors of lemon, pear, and honey. I didn't really get any minerality this time. Well balanced. The finish is very long. A very nice wine that is probably past peak, but drinking very well.

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• 2001 Château de Beaucastel Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet de Beaucastel 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  Popped and poured. The color is blackish/red turning watery at the rim. The nose gives black fruit, pepper, garrigue, iron, and smoke. Aromas are not as intense as I would expect (a little blunted). On the palate this has a very smooth texture and good medium weight. Flavors are predominately black fruit and mineral. This was not as good as the last bottle opened, but was a good lead-in to the CdP served with dinner.

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• 2001 Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Sixtine 93 Points

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

  Opened but not decanted about five hours before serving. Upon first opening there was a bit of Brett on the nose, but this was gone by the time it was poured. The color is a dense blackish/red. The nose is deep and brooding, but open enough to reveal dark fruit, dried herb/garrigue, pepper, and mushroom/earth. The taste is awesome -- more dark fruit, dried herbs, and dark chocolate. Well balanced, but extremely tannic. Reminds me of the awesome 2000 Usseglio Mon Aieul.

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• 2001 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 94 Points

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

  Decanted five hours before serving. The color is a saturated purple/red. The nose is very impressive for such a young wine --- giving dark fruit, dried herbs/garrigue, pepper, leather, and a rustic earthiness. Beautiful. The first thing I notice when tasting is the fruit concentration -- yet it is controlled and balanced. The flavors remain dark fruit, dried herbs, earth, and leather with chocolate added. This is still very tannic. The finish is long and enjoyable. This definitely needs additional time in the bottle, but I now think this is a worthy successor to the great 1998 Vieux Donjon. Glad I've got many more in the cellar.

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I found the 2001 Vatican Sixtine and the 2001 Vieux Donjon to taste suprisingly similar. I believe this is the first time I have had the Vatican Sixtine (from any vintage), but am a long-time fan of the Vieux Donjon. These are world class wines that were purchased for about $25 per bottle. This meal reminded me of what a great value these wines are in today's market despite the recent increase in CdP prices.