Good structure with ample tannins, excellent complexity, fine balance. Still some fruit and oak, but also pleasant earthy notes. Some poopy funk blew off quickly. Saturated cork but no seepage
I did not take detailed notes, but this again showed above expectations, among my favorite wines of the weekend. Youthful color, a bit of fruit, a bit of funk, chalky mouthfeel, with eucalyptus a bit more prominent than I like, overall very nice drinking.
Purchased at auction with handwritten label saying "1908", from the cellar of Tawfiq Khoury; the cork eventually proved this to be 1927. Very top shoulder fill. Incredibly youthful bright ruby-garnet color upon opening, I guessed this to be 1955-1970 vintage before examining the cork. Raspberry and licorice notes on the nose, with pleasant pie spices on the palate. Minimal tawny notes, no volatile acidity. Thinnish and light, the spirit here was a bit obtrusive. In hindsight, this showed best immediately upon opening, very fresh despite the heat.
No detailed notes taken. This was a pleasant surprise. Beautiful mature ruby-garnet in the glass. Very little of the expected barnyard funk here, simple and clean, just a bit thin and warm. Not scored.
It was a treat to taste this again. I loved this wine 9 years ago, but it was already mature and delicate at that time. Since then, it has evolved toward the end of its drinking window. Lovely mature garnet color. A bit of pretty dried tea leaf remains, but bretty bandaid and beef bouillon notes have come forward. Not scored.
No detailed notes taken, but this improved greatly as it warmed to room temperature in the glass. On the light side, a nice wine, though perhaps not quite nice enough for the price. Not scored.
Lovely bright yellow-gold in the glass. Pleasingly complex nose showing savory and citrus notes. Great balance on the palate, light yet deep, with just a bit of heat on the finish. I enjoyed the profile of this wine, and would gladly drink it now.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
(10/19/2019)
Showing just the beginnings of age in the glass, a slightly deepening lemon-yellow color. Buttery, almost toasty, with a bit of pleasant reduction. Despite the persistent heat, there is some fine quality here, but overall this is disappointingly linear and simple for this cru.
This bottle was opened and recorked 36 hours prior to drinking. Showing unusually persistent heat and some bitterness which marred the nose and the usually smooth Unico palate. Very long finish with a nice Port reduction quality. Not scored.
Minimal notes taken. This wine had been opened and recorked 36 hours prior to service. Unusual and not overly pleasant minty notes on the nose. On the palate this was flattish with low acidity, showing prominent tannins and some heat. I didn't take enough time on this wine, but what I did experience was disappointing. Not scored.
1992 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/18/2019)
Good structure with ample tannins, excellent complexity, fine balance. Still some fruit and oak, but also pleasant earthy notes. Some poopy funk blew off quickly. Saturated cork but no seepage
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1987 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/18/2019)
I did not take detailed notes, but this again showed above expectations, among my favorite wines of the weekend. Youthful color, a bit of fruit, a bit of funk, chalky mouthfeel, with eucalyptus a bit more prominent than I like, overall very nice drinking.
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1991 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/18/2019)
Another encounter with this wine that didn't live up to expectations. This seemed disjointed, hot, and funky to me. Not scored.
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1927 Dow Porto Vintage 93 Points
Portugal, Douro, Porto
(10/18/2019)
Purchased at auction with handwritten label saying "1908", from the cellar of Tawfiq Khoury; the cork eventually proved this to be 1927. Very top shoulder fill. Incredibly youthful bright ruby-garnet color upon opening, I guessed this to be 1955-1970 vintage before examining the cork. Raspberry and licorice notes on the nose, with pleasant pie spices on the palate. Minimal tawny notes, no volatile acidity. Thinnish and light, the spirit here was a bit obtrusive. In hindsight, this showed best immediately upon opening, very fresh despite the heat.
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1988 Château Gruaud Larose
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
(10/18/2019)
No detailed notes taken. This was a pleasant surprise. Beautiful mature ruby-garnet in the glass. Very little of the expected barnyard funk here, simple and clean, just a bit thin and warm. Not scored.
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1982 Joseph Phelps Insignia
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/18/2019)
It was a treat to taste this again. I loved this wine 9 years ago, but it was already mature and delicate at that time. Since then, it has evolved toward the end of its drinking window. Lovely mature garnet color. A bit of pretty dried tea leaf remains, but bretty bandaid and beef bouillon notes have come forward. Not scored.
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2015 Château Cos d'Estournel Blanc
France, Bordeaux
(10/19/2019)
No detailed notes taken, but this improved greatly as it warmed to room temperature in the glass. On the light side, a nice wine, though perhaps not quite nice enough for the price. Not scored.
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2015 Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux
France, Bordeaux
(10/19/2019)
No detailed notes taken. This turned unpleasantly oily and funky with air. Not scored.
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2015 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc De L'Orée 94 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
(10/19/2019)
Lovely bright yellow-gold in the glass. Pleasingly complex nose showing savory and citrus notes. Great balance on the palate, light yet deep, with just a bit of heat on the finish. I enjoyed the profile of this wine, and would gladly drink it now.
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2002 Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet 92 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
(10/19/2019)
Showing just the beginnings of age in the glass, a slightly deepening lemon-yellow color. Buttery, almost toasty, with a bit of pleasant reduction. Despite the persistent heat, there is some fine quality here, but overall this is disappointingly linear and simple for this cru.
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NV Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Único Reserva Especial 1970, 1972 (1992 Release)
Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
(10/19/2019)
This bottle was opened and recorked 36 hours prior to drinking. Showing unusually persistent heat and some bitterness which marred the nose and the usually smooth Unico palate. Very long finish with a nice Port reduction quality. Not scored.
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1981 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Único
Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
(10/19/2019)
Minimal notes taken. This wine had been opened and recorked 36 hours prior to service. Unusual and not overly pleasant minty notes on the nose. On the palate this was flattish with low acidity, showing prominent tannins and some heat. I didn't take enough time on this wine, but what I did experience was disappointing. Not scored.
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