The dinner with Jeannie Cho Lee

Jeannie Cho Lee was in town and Bijan organized a dinner in her honor. It was the first time that I had the pleasure of meeting her. A Great Time Was Had By All!

• 2003 Louis Roederer Champagne Vintage Brut 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  Nicely mature nose displaying ripe yellow fruits, lemon curd, apple pie, biscuit with butter, sweet spices and mineral. Very good concentration, medium fine mousse, a hint of sweetness, good mineral presence, bright acidity and a medium to long sweet finish. The sweetness and ripe fruit remind me Cristal a bit. It displays nice complexity but not terribly refined. A nice way to start the evening.

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• NV Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Cuvée Rubis 92 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  I drank a bottle at home only a few days ago. My last minute addition as the simple deliciousness seemed ideal for a nice summer night. Very similar to the last bottle but the fruit expression is slightly less red. Expressive nose displaying raspberry, cherry soda, strawberry rhubarb tart, brioche, white pepper and mineral. Fine mousse giving very airy impression, strong mineral presence and a medium to long clean finish. Neither the most complex nor polished but rather simply delicious!

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• 2008 Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses Flawed

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru

  A bit of debate as whether the bottle is corked. The nose is slightly off initially. With air, it is more noticeable. Jeannie points out the beautiful material and I have to agree. Exceptional concentration, quite oily and bright acidity. It is a shame!

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• 1992 Chartron et Trébuchet Corton-Charlemagne 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

  Purchased from a London auction, the color is quite golden. Jeannie’s description is spot on once again. Strong butter scotch and excellent concentration. RJ mentions that if tasted blind, he would have guessed Californian Chardonnay and his second guessed would have been Meursault. This clearly displays the ripe exotic vintage character. Very ripe yellow fruits, peach, pineapple baked apple, vanilla, butter scotch, popcorn and sweet spices. Despite lacking acidity and the ripe fruit, the palate shows a reasonably good balance. A bit exotic and kinky which I actually don't mind. Needs to be drunk up.

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• 1998 Domaine A.-F. Gros Richebourg 95 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Richebourg Grand Cru

  The last bottle drank in 2015 was correct but uninspiring. Nicely mature nose displaying subtle red and black fruits, raspberry, blackberry jam, cherry, noticeable sous bois, a hint of Vosne spice, sweet spices and mineral. Medium concentration, silky and polished, bright acidity, slightly coarse tannins and a medium to long vosne spice and blackberry driven finish. Typical of the vintage, it is slightly hollow in the middle and the tannins are a bit coarse. Nevertheless, perfectly mature Burgundy nose makes this very enjoyable.

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• 1999 Domaine Anne Gros Richebourg 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Richebourg Grand Cru

  Strong stem and slightly green note to start. Medium expressive very youthful nose displaying blackberry, ash, stem, a hint of green, dry flowers and strong earth. Excellent concentration, stem and black fruit driven palate impression, bright acidity, still noticeable tannins and a medium to long black fruit driven finish. Although it displays impressive concentration, it lacks the finesse and seems slightly disjointed. I am not sure whether this will come together with another decade or two of cellaring.

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• 2002 Château Lafite Rothschild 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Expressive youthful nose displaying intense black fruits, blueberry jam, crème de cassis, liquid smoke, ink, bitter chocolate, a hint of balsamico, strong vanillin oak which is surprising, cedar and mineral. Excellent concentration, nicely layered, intense youthful inky fruit, bright acidity, a hint of coarse tannins and a long intense cassis driven finish. Just like the 02 Mouton, it remains youthful and displays impressive concentration and sweetness. However it is a bit “chunky”, i.e. not the most polished Lafite. It is starting to drink beautifully in very youthful way but will improve for another two decades.

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