The !*&#show

This was hands-down the single greatest number of flawed wines I've experienced in one dinner, whence the title...

• 1996 Henriot Champagne Cuvée des Enchanteleurs Brut

  France, Champagne

  Wow, one of the wines of the night. Beautiful nose with a touch of biscuit, honey, nuts, and a fair amount of sweet tangerine. Envigorating acidity, with loads of almond and citrus on the palate. Beautiful, refined finish.

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• 1997 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc Le Méal Flawed

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Painfully corked, sigh.

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• 2005 Domaine Huet Vouvray Demi-Sec Clos du Bourg

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

  Wow again. Stunning nose, with loads of honey and guava. Beautiful texture and acidity, with an amazingly soft sweetness. Fantastic finish. Every bit as good as the last time I had this...which was very good!

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• 1983 Château de Chamboureau Savennières Roche aux Moines Flawed

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières Roche aux Moines

  Yuck, very oxidized.

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• 2007 Domaine Bruno Clair Corton-Charlemagne

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

  Ok, the oak is slightly heavy handed, but this showed well. Amazing nose, with some tropical fruit and meyer lemon some toast, maybe some coconut. On the palate, great acidity, with nice citrus snd slate. A hint of oaky bitterness on the finish, but yum.

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• 1985 Gentaz-Dervieux Côte-Rôtie Cuvée Réservée Côte Brune

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  I had high expectations for this bottle, which it didn't quite meet. Nice nose at first with some meaty syrah notes and loads of smoke and a touch of herbs. On the palate, great acidity, and loads of brine, together with some smokiness. Very tannic finish.
  
  With air, this lost any sense of fruit: smoky and peaty, with a dried out finish. This bottle was probably better 5 years ago...

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• 1973 Beaulieu Vineyard Special Label Burgundy Flawed

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Totally oxidized.

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• 1979 Giacosa Fratelli Barbaresco

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Maderized...

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• 1999 Château de Chamboureau Savennières Roche aux Moines Flawed

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières Roche aux Moines

  Corked!

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• 2004 Paul Bara Champagne Grand Cru Comtesse Marie de France

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Like carbonated fruit loops at first, but settles into something much more interesting. Loads of ripe strawberry, baked bread, and a hint of honey. Good acidity, and refreshing finish.

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• 1971 Bodegas Toro Albala Montilla-Moriles Don PX Gran Reserva

  Spain, Andalucía, Montilla-Moriles

  My other wine of the night. Like motor oil in color/viscosity. Beautiful nose of dates, plums, snd dark, sweet red fruit. Great, lively acidity on the palate, and invigorating finish...fantastic texture and poise.

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