Rose and Such

10 of us gathered for a lovely evening in Robert's backyard and house. Fantastic food and wines.

• 2016 Château Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé 86 Points

  France, Provence, Côtes de Provence

  Drank a small glass with several other Rose wines. This seemed surprisingly light and watery compared to the one I drank last year. Thin, not much fruit, or anything. At the same time, not offensive either.

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• 2015 Chêne Bleu Rosé 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vaucluse

  Drank a small glass alongside some other Rose wines. Watermelon and pepper stand out on the lively palate. This was a slightly bold, enjoyable Rose.

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• 2016 Caves d'Esclans Whispering Angel 86 Points

  France, Provence, Côtes de Provence

  Drank a small glass alongside a few other Rose wines. I found this wine thin and uninteresting. Maybe if it was 90F outside on the beach and this was ice cold, it would work. Sitting out in a beautiful yard at about 75F, this didn't work for me.

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• NV Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut Rosé Sauvage 87 Points

  France, Champagne

  Drank a small glass to start a tasting. There is a strong red fruit along with a hint of toast. Overall, lacking elegance, too forward, and an off-putting finish. I was looking forward to this, and was slightly dissapointed.

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• 2002 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cuvée Rare 95 Points

  France, Champagne

  Drank a couple small glasses. A tremendous champagne. Great character.
  This is squarely in the middle stylistically - not heavy, not light. Elements of energy and lemon alongside toast and richness. Great complexity. We didn't vote, but this would have been wine of the night.

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• 2009 Verget Chablis 1er Cru Grand Élevage 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

  Drank a small glass with oysters. Rich and deeper than many Chablis that I have had, while still showing that sea breeze and minerality.

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• 2014 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre 89 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

  Drank a small glass over 30 minutes. I'm not crazy about Sauvignon blanc, but this one is pretty good. It is not offensive in any way, is dry, and has nice minerality. There is grapefruit and almost funky bell pepper.

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• 2011 Talley Vineyards Chardonnay Rosemary's Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley

  I found this wine to be of good quality. Matchstick and a lot of toasty oak. Full-bodied with ample spice.

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• 1996 Maison Roche de Bellene Clos Vougeot Collection Bellenum 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

  Served blind, I drank a small glass over about an hour. This was a great combination of Burgundian wet rock minerality and flashy cherry red fruit. I guessed Oregon Pinot because of the flashy fruit. I can see how some people may say it is annoyingly in the modern style, but I enjoyed it for what it is.

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• 2013 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir Russian River Selection 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Drank a small glass at a tasting. Cola, cranberry, orange peel and ample red fruit. This does taste like the RRV. A bit of heat on the finish prevents it from breaking into the 90's.

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• 2010 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Mount Carmel 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Drank a small glass at a tasting. All-around faded, high alcohol. Sadly, this wine is over the hill already, or not just really good. 86-87

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• 2008 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 90 Points

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

  Decanted 2 hours. This appeared to be an old school CDP. There was still a little too much anise there for me, but overall, good quality and complexity.

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• 2003 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 92 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Drank a small glass towards the end of a tasting. Some of the 2003 German wines have been too fruity, but this one is classic Prum. Rich fruit, lots of minerality.

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