Greg P in NYC - good wines great company!

HUGE thanks to Greg and Rita - who not only brough the life to this party but also brought so much wine that i think we all felt embarrased! next time its our turn!
It is always a pleasure to meet new people and once again see old friends, Cheryl, Brent, Michael S, Peter L, Marc S - thanks so much for coming and making this a trully rocking party.

Alias did a great job - cant say enough about the food and the service. we felt (and acted) like we were at home and they were only too happy with us. thanks guys!

one more note before i get to the wines - my notes are unusualy poor - the company was too much fun that sometimes i forgot to pay attention to what i was drinking.. and thats with shaefer in the glass... oh well - i am not upset about it for a second - it was a wonderfull night.

• 2004 Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos la Néore 91 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

  rich nose of grapefruit, medium weight, good acidity with just a touch of alc, long finish. citrus dominates but the weigt pulls one toward tropical notes. i would have liked more minerality. seems to need more time to show all its got

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• 1999 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Clos Windsbuhl 91 Points

  France, Alsace

  started off with pineapple and grapefruit notes, then moved toward papaya and lychee. bit rough finish in the begining - but seems to need more time - great lightness in the middle. a beauty..

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• 1995 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain 92 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  started off slow but then the petrol dissapated to reveal honey and mineral notes, rich wine - almoust fat in the middle, but the acidity floats in on the finish and sweeps you away. good mature alsace riesling.

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• 1995 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain 92 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  started off funky, wet soggy cork, even leaking... oops i thought...well as usual Alsace and german wines prove to be much stronger than one expects. after about an hour the funk blew off to reveal an excellent PG, spicy and ripe, with excellent dry middle full of minerality and a long finish. YUM!!

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• 2003 Edmond Vatan Sancerre Rouge Flawed

  France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre Rouge

  yuck? this must have been corked... the nose had a touch of mold but what was worse was the moldy finish - right at the end it had this bread mold nore.. sorry - really was looking forward to this

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• 2005 Alcina Cellars Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  lavender, rich cherry, cola...just a lovely happy Pinot, balanced, not heavy not watery.. i can drink this all day

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• 2005 Alcina Cellars Pinot Noir Ramondo Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  this is my favorite one- elegant, burgundian earthy notes, strawberry and cherry intermix, cranbery even perhaps.. needs more time - excellent.

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• 2005 Alcina Cellars Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  totally different animal here - meaty, smoaky, cinnamon, grapefruit? like a riesling note, cranberry, needs time - this is more of an aggressive wine.

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• 1995 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  i see this as a serious wine..but a 99 pointer? . i am with tanzer on this baby. rich ripe and well balanced. a yng bdx feel - but this is the key - YOUNG. ripe tannins.. has the potential to continue improving. an excellent wine.

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• 1997 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  mint, oak, lighter middle than expected. good medium bodied wine but not a WOW... seems like this is not the best time to drink it - perhaps too late?

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• 2002 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  if the 97 was like this in its youth then itss too old now - because this is delicious. not my style but a well made wine indeed - ripe lush fruit with great balance. a powerhouse red, with sweet black fruit that dont get cloying. (and from a magnum!!!)

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• 2003 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  hard to say much here..oak ...we should have decanted but the torrent of wine kept coming.. i am hoping cheryl will post an update today?
  this seems to have potential - there is a ton of backbone and fruit - judging by the '02 and the '97 - give this another year or 2 and POP!

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• 1997 Sean Thackrey Orion Rossi Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  so strange to see the notes in CT...some say thin..others say huge... oh well..
  
  rich, blackberries dominate, minty, juicy...just like biting into a fruit basket (with the basket) :)
  this is a serious wine...

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• 1998 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  oak stands out even now, but the smoke/cassis and rich fruit, together with excellent acidity keep it balanced. this didnt wow me but a solid wine...the problem is what the new vintage costs..

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• 1994 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru 91 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru

  quince, light, good finish and middle.....bit closed..never came around... perhaps in a weird stage

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• 1998 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru 92 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru

  not your classic example but thisis yummy
  sweet tropical fruit, rich flavours while staying medium bodies and very elegant, long finish.. YUM

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thanks to All for coming and Greg - this better be just the first of MANY!!! such events