Tasting Group Dinner w/ Paul Jaouen

Brad's House, Minneapolis
Tasted Sunday, June 3, 2007 by Siggy with 1,532 views

Introduction

Paul Jaouen was in town for a business meeting, which was all the excuse we needed to fire up our tasting group for a blowout Sunday get-together. We hung out in Brad's kitchen for several hours, listening to loud music, cooking, and eating. In attendance were Brad and Diane England, Paul Jaouen, Dave Dalluge, Chris Palm, Jeff Samuelson, Chris Larson, and me. I tasted perfection this evening in the form of a 1988 Guigal La Mouline. Thanks to everyone, especially Brad, for an unforgettable evening.

Flight 1 - Burgundy (6 Notes)

We opened these with a cheese plate, brought by Chris Larson. Dave made unbelievable Morel mushroom tarts to pair with the Burgs.

Flight 2 - Chateauneuf (3 Notes)

Quote of the flight: "Jeff Leve is right!"

Flight 3 - Northern Rhone (6 Notes)

Served with grilled beef tenderloin, tomato, buffalo mozzarella, and basil salad, mushrooms sauteed in 1966 Marey-Monge RSV (!), and incredible mashed potatoes (courtesy of Dave), made with 4 pounds of Yukon golds, a pound of butter (that's 4 sticks!), and cream.

Quote of the flight: "What would a Burg and Rhone tasting be without a bunch of Bordeaux?"

  • 1989 Château Palmer 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    Nose of cedar, lead pencil, and herbs -- more like a Pauillac than a Margaux. Dark, perfumed blackberry fruit, minerals, and baking spices. Showing a healthy amount of oak.

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  • 1994 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon 88 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    Pruny, super-ripe dark fruit and herbs. Very oaky on the nose and palate. Smells and tastes like an Aussie Shiraz. A surprisingly strange performance by this wine.

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  • 1994 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 95 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Delicious, smoky black fruit, roasted meat, coffee, and herbs. Supple in the mouth. Gorgeous finesse, balance, and minerality. The tannins are nicely rounded and integrated. Fantastic.

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  • 1994 M. Chapoutier Côte-Rôtie La Mordorée 93 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Smoky, concentrated red and black fruit. Medium-body, with well-displayed secondary flavors. The tannins are nicely integrated, giving the wine a suave, supple mouthfeel. Similar to the bottle tasted last November.

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  • 1988 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Mouline 100 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    The nose draws you in like a vortex. Amazing, endless layers of flavor -- bacon, black licorice, mushrooms, coffee, spice, smoke, forest floor, cigar, and violets. Waves of minerality. Prodigiously structured, complex, and concentrated, yet supple, smooth, and elegant. Endless finish. Another "OMFG" experience, and the first time I have ever given a wine a perfect rating. Thanks Brad!

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  • 1989 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée Flawed

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

    Riddled with VA. Undrinkable.

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Flight 4 - Henri Bonneau Mini-Vertical (3 Notes)

Served with whipped Brie quinelles, homemade crostini, a red wine reduction sauce, and bitter greens, all courtesy of Dave.

Quotes of the flight: "The only Bordeaux I like are Brad's" and "I like an older man."

Flight 5 - Bonus Bordeaux (4 Notes)

Quote of the flight: "75 La Conseillante is like a house wine for us in Colorado."

  • 1989 Château Cheval Blanc 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Deep red, with no visible bricking. Smoky black fruit, minerals, tobacco, roasted meat, and mushooms. Nice finesse. Medium weight. At first I thought this was spectacular, but it faded a bit in the glass. (And then I broke the glass, but that's a different story!) Still, a very good showing for this wine.

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  • 1975 Château La Conseillante 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    Black fruit, iron, and mushrooms. Smooth and silky. Still very youthful and dark. Amazing minerality. Great concentration.

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  • 1963 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage 95 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Light rust color. Concentrated, rich, perfumed layers of caramel, almonds, raisins, and baking spices. A very youthful example of this wine. Delicious.

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  • 1949 Château Latour Grand Vin 98 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    This was somewhat controversial, if only because of how good and youthful it was. This bottle had excellent provenance - Brad bought it at an Acker auction - so I am not inclined to believe it was a fake. Amazingly dark color. Huge, perfumed, multi-layered nose of dark black fruit. The palate picks up a melange of beautifully delineated flavors, including black truffles, graphite, cedar, tobacco, earth, and black tea. Still muscular and youthful. A fantastic way to end the evening.

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