Lazy Sunday lunch - La Las, Papa, Dom Oeno, Ultramarine, L’Oree, Nigl & old Prum

Tom was able to get a hall pass so we organized an impromptu lazy Sunday lunch. Four of us got together to share a few nice bottles.

Since the chef Ruta's departure, the restaurant is still looking for a new chef. The food was mediocre. However spending two hours on the rooftop in a sunny spring afternoon sipping the 96 Dom Oeno and subsequently situated in their private room, more than made up for the mediocre food.

Having the passion in wine truly enriched my life. I have met some of my best friends through sharing the common passion. We were having so much fun that the lunch ended 7 at night. As Tom eloquently put it, by the time when we left, our discussions solved most, if not all, of the world's problems. Truly a memorable evening was had by all.

Apparently Ultramarine is a hipster sparkler. Unfortunately none of us really cared for it. It was decent enough. The 96 Dom Oenotheque showed beautifully as usual.

• 1996 Dom Pérignon Champagne Oenothèque 97 Points

  France, Champagne

  Harmonious yet energetic nose displaying lemon curd, apple tart, cream, a hint of light honey, cedar and white pepper. Beautifully integrated palate, very fine mousse, creamy, bright sweet yellow fruit driven palate impression, bright acidity, good mineral presence and a long sweet finish. Drinking beautifully in a youthful way.

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• 2012 Ultramarine Blanc de Blancs Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Medium expressive nose displaying ripe yellow fruit, lemon curd, slightly oxidized apple, almond paste and a hint of wet sox. Very good concentration, coarse mousse, medium acidity, good mineral expression and a medium finish. Not bad but not something that I will chase. The others like it even less.

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The 14 De L'Oree was impressive, the 02 Nigl was enjoyable and the 71 Prum was still lively.

• 2014 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc De L'Orée 95 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Expressive nose displaying energetic succulent ripe yellow fruit, candied lemon, Meyer lemon, pear, white peach, honey, acacia and limestone. Excellent concentration, succulent yellow fruit driven palate impression, exceptional precision via bright acidity and strong presence of mineral and a long clean mineral driven finish. It is certainly ripe but surprisingly well balanced and energetic. Very similar to Beaucastel Roussanne VV but more precise and not as opulent. There are moments when it reminds a ripe year GC Chablis with a strong mineral expression.

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• 2002 Nigl Grüner Veltliner Alte Reben 92 Points

  Austria, Niederösterreich, Kremstal

  Intense golden color. Tropical fruit dominates, mango, yellow peach, papaya, caramel and sweet spices. Excellent concentration, lemon oil and mango driven palate impression, rich and oily, good acidity and mineral presence, a long sweet caramel driven finish.

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• 1971 Zach. Bergweiler-Prüm Erben Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese *** Goldkapsel 92 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Light gold. Fully mature subtle nose displaying lemon curd, yellow peach, tarte tatin, chamomile and a hint of mint. Silky, polished, airy, harmonious and sensual palate. 90 pts nose and 94 pts palate. Still remains fresh and no need to hurry but doubt it will improve.

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All showed beautifully.

• 1977 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Mouline 96 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Fully mature complex nose displaying black cherry, blackberry jam, smoked game, grilled shitake, leather, west forest floor, tapenade, dry herbs, dark caramel and earth. Excellent concentration, fully integrated harmonious palate, subtle slightly dry black fruit and leather driven palate impression, warm and round, and a seamless long finish with leather and smoked game at the end. It is quite soft at this stage. Though excellent, I prefer the youthful energetic expression of the 89 and the 90 La Landonne. It actually gets better with air.

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• 1989 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 98 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Incredibly complex yet youthful nose displaying fresh blackberry and cherry, licorice, smoked meat, bacon fat, tapenade, garrigue, tobacco and mineral. Excellent concentration, beautifully layered fresh black fruit, silky and polish, almost airy, bright acidity, strong presence of mineral, still a hint of sweet tannins, and a finish that lasts over a minute. Very precise, polished and detailed expression of Syrah. It is so interesting to compare to the 90. I slightly prefer the 89 for the precision and freshness. Absolute pleasure.

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• 1990 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 97 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Expressive decadent nose displaying blackberry, black cherry, cremes de cassis, milk chocolate, coffee, crushed black pepper, tapenade and charred rare steak. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of decadent black fruit, bright acidity, strong presence of mineral, still noticeable sweet tannins and a long dark fruit driven finish that resonates. Really a hedonistic wine.

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Certainly was very different but impressive.

• 2003 Sine Qua Non Syrah Papa 96 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  The Papa is not shy and certainly not apologetic. There is not much of foreplay but it is not vulgar. Decadent expressive nose displaying sweet jammy black fruit, blackberry liqueur, licorice, liquid smoke, mineral, baking spices and earth. Excellent concentration, 10W-40, layers upon layers of intense black fruit, bright acidity, strong presence of mineral and an intense black fruit driven finish that doesn’t end. Still remains incredibly youthful. Really pleasing in a very obvious way.

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Another great day of sharing great wines with great friends.