Steak & Wine

A few select highlights that I remember from a casual get-together with good wine and good steak.

• 2009 Patrick Piuze Chablis Grand Cru Bougros Côte de Bouqueyreaux 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru

  From magnum. Lots of apple throughout, starts fresh and ripe, finishes with edge and energy in a more classically Chablis style with salinity and minerality that I really enjoyed. Upside from here, at least in this format.

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• 2013 Littorai Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Tasted double blind. Clearly New World Chardonnay with lots of stuffing, but for right now I found it a bit too fleshy and vanilla. Needs several years in the cellar.

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• 2013 Zepaltas Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Tasted double blind alongside the Littorai, both were easily identifiable as New World Chardonnay. This was more accessible and balanced, with an elegant and light-handed touch, even if it lacked the density of the Littorai. For today I preferred the simple pleasure more from this (much less expensive) bottle.

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• 2013 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Saint-Aubin 1er Cru En Remilly Blanc Flawed

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Saint-Aubin 1er Cru

  Corked.

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• 1978 Château Talbot 87 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Popped and poured. Mostly earth and mushroom with some mature cherry aromas and flavors. Very tasty when first poured, lost depth quickly within 10 minutes.

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• 1978 Château Léoville Barton 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Popped and poured, with troublesome old cork. Mature black cherry with woodsy spice, black tea, tobacco, cooked mushroom. Good overall balance. Big contrast to the less persistent 1978 Talbot tasted immediately before.

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• 1987 Chateau Musar Flawed

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  Slightly corked.

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• 1974 Sterling Vineyards Merlot 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Tasted double blind. Nicely matured black fruit with some cigarbox and earth. I thought this a well preserved Cali Cab, older than the 1978 Bordeaux we had just tasted. Very enjoyable with good length and intensity for what it is.

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• 1996 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Maturing black fruit with good spice, moderate density. Good textures and balance, moderate complexity. Very enjoyable now.

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• 1999 Colgin Cariad 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Ripe black fruit throughout, fresh for its age. Enough structure to retain a balanced core and elegance. Subtle spice and some dark chocolate, but I was expecting a bit more nuance.

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• 1996 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707 91 Points

  Australia, South Australia

  Late in the evening, brief note from memory. Dark fruit, dark chocolate. Good textures, nicely rounded and balanced.

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• 2001 Lagier Meredith Syrah 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

  Tasted blind, came across as very Rhone-like, with good power and concentration ans well as nicely balanced. Very good now.

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