Wine with friends (at Lake Michigan)

This past weekend, Jane and I, joined Chris and Renee and visited Mike and Lori and their cabin near Lake Michigan. It was a fun weekend. During the days, we visited brew pubs (mostly Grand Rapids) and beer at lunch. At night, we took turns cooking and opening bottles. Jane and I were approaching our anniversary, Lori was celebrating her birthday and Chris and Renee were announcing they are going to be grandparents. Truly a weekend for celebrating.

With Bagel chips with garlic butter and spicy bruschetta
Spaghetti with home made sauce
Lentil Salad
Green Bean Salad
Kale Salad
Chocolate Pound Cake with chocolate ganache

• 2012 Ceritas Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Just not getting some of the rave reviews on this. I like lower alcohol and crisp Chards as well, but this seemed lack the body, stuffing and complexity. Maybe it needs time or air. It was very good for sure, but not at the top level some seem to find. At least not for me. Light golden in color. The nose has some lemon and a bit of red apple. Not much else going on. Light to medium body. Slightly oily. Some lemon and a bit of minerals. Plenty of acidity. The first glass was served a bit warm and then we chilled down the rest. It was a bit more refreshing but that's about it. Tried again after a couple of hours and nothing more to add. Again, its good, but seemed to be missing. Looking on CT there are reviews consistent like mine but without a score. I think, like me, some are wondering why they didn't have a better experience only they gave the wine the benefit of the doubt. Six of us shared this bottle and we all felt the same way.

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• 2015 Domaine Clos des Rochers Pinot Blanc Grand Premier Cru Grevenmacher Fels 91 Points

  Luxembourg, Moselle, Moselle Luxembourgeoise

  Purchased last March at the winery in Luxembourg. Pop and pour, this was delivering nicely. Light golden in color. The nose has some peach along with some cantaloupe. A bit, not much, minerality. On the palate, there is a bit more minerality. The fruit continues. There is some depth here. Rounder than I expected. Nice finish. Worked well with some spicy Bruschetta.

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• 2004 Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo 95 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Great showing and this is in a great place. I think people see Chianti and don't realize what a killer wine this is until they taste it and are surprised. Pop and pour, this was young still and opened for the first hour or so. Purple in color, The nose has cherries, leather, damp tea leaves, and spice. On the palate, this is full bodied with cherry fruit and forest floor. Complex with layers of both. Great acidity. Long finish. Great with Spaghetti and home made sauce. No hurry on this but in a great place!

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• 2005 Paolo Bea Montefalco Rosso Riserva Pipparello 93 Points

  Italy, Umbria, Montefalco, Montefalco Rosso

  Very nice showing for this. Hard to tell where this goes from here but no real hurry. Ruby in color. The nose has cherries, plums, leather and slight forest floor. On the palate, this is medium to full bodied. Complex and layered with excellent acidity. Worked quite well with food. Layers of cherries and forest floor notes. slight tannins. Nice finish. A very unique wine.

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• 2010 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Great showing for this one at age 7. Pop and pour and it seemed good from the start. Served with a chocolate pound cake with chocolate ganache, it went perfectly. Inky purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, raspberries, charcoal, slight bramble and roasted herbs. On the palate, this is big. Juicy black and red raspberry fruit. Some tannins. And underlying char. Clean. No hint of alcohol. Long finish. Great wine and in no hurry.

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• 1994 Smith Woodhouse Porto Vintage 91 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Pop and pour; this got a bit better with age. Purple in color, ruby rim. Seems to be about at peak but no hurry. The nose is nice with boysenberries, dark chocolate and a bit of spice. On the palate, medium to full bodied. Black raspberry with slight chocolate. Some depth. A bit of heat. Nice finish. (Drunk after a 2010 Saxum Paderewski probably didn't help it as this wasn't as big or port like in many respects). Went well with chocolate cake. Very nice showing.

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With various cheeses
Four cheese Lasagna
Kale Salad
Apple Pie
Peanut butter cookies

• 2015 Sebastien Dampt Chablis 1er Cru Côte de Léchet 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

  Great showing. This is everything that I hoped the Ceritas would have been (and was not). Light gold in color. The nose has green apples with some chalk and a hint of steel/minerals. On the palate, this is lean yet powerful. Great green apple fruit. minerals. Good acidity. Nice finish. Refreshing way to end the day and wake up the palate (after a few beers in the afternoon). Delicious wine for about $25.

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• 2013 Bevan Cellars Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  This was big and had a lot of oak on it. That said, it was also quite good. It just depends on what you are looking for but not doubt this was drinking well. Deep golden in color. The nose has pineapple, vanilla and lemon curd. On the palate, the pineapple and lemon curd continue but the oak is more fresh cut lumber resulting in a bit of heat. With air, this calms down. There is a nice bit of acidity on the back end which helps. The fruit is great but the oak needs time to integrate. Again, it seems Bevan's whites need longer to age than his reds. There is plenty of upside potential here.

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• 2007 Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant Extra Brut 93 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  This was designated as Extra Brut. Great showing as we were getting dinner ready, watching Saturday College football and after a couple of whites before moving on to reds with dinner. Light golden in color. The nose is very nice with apples, pears and some marzipan. On the palate, this has just a hint of sweetness. Apples and marzipan carry thru. Good depth and some complexity. Nice acidity. Long finish. A very pretty Champagne.

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• 1994 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 88 Points

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

  Pop and pour. This was better than I had expected but I doubt it was ever an awesome wine. Ruby/purple in color. The nose is fading with cherries, prunes, and some herbal notes. On the palate, this has a very nice texture. The fruit is faded but some nice cherries and dried cherries. It does have some slight layering. No tannins. Decent acidity. Works better with food. I think this is past prime and working its was down so i would drink up. That said, it has life in it right now and is enjoyable. I think Chris liked it more that I did.

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• 2007 Ascent Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

  i don't know this wine but it is good if not great. The back label said Diamond Mountain. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, tobacco, cedar and spice. On the palate, it is a bit rough especially on the finish. Cassis and dark cherry fruit. Fresh cut lumber. Medium tannins. It is a nice wine but not at the top couple of levels.

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• 1992 Joseph Phelps Insignia 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Trouble with the cork, we had to piece it out and decant thru a coffee filter. Not sure if that affected the wine, but I had hoped for more. Purple in color. The nose is nice with leather, cassis and slight spice. On the palate, the cassis and cedar come through. deep but not delineating any layers. Wispy tannins. Nice finish. An outstanding wine, but I hoped for more. Some bottle variation at this point, I am sure. A long ago Premier Cru purchase.

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• 1992 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage 96 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  My WOTN/Weekend. Pop and pour, this was still young and needed some air. The cork also crumbled here and we decanted thru a coffee filter. Note to self - next time pack the Durand. Purple in color. Lovely nose with black cherries, raspberries, dark chocolate, slight raisin. On the palate, this is young but deep and layered. Black raspberries, raisins, black cherries and some spice. Smooth without showing any heat. Long finish. Lovely.

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• 2010 SonkinCellars Persona

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  Biased review. Just cause we could, I opened this late. Pop and pour, it is still tight and i would hold these or give them air. Mike finished it the next day and (politely?) said it showed well. Good black raspberry fruit with some depth. Just very tight. Still, fun to share with friends.

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It was a very fun weekend where the wines (again) took a back stage to everything else like hiking, driving, beer and food, but mostly friends. Jane and I had so much fun. Thanks to Mike and Lori for the invite. Hope we can all do it again!