Wine Advocate 1000-point dinner in NYC

I treated myself to this amazing dinner in the Big Apple for my 60th birthday. What a pleasure it was to meet the critics whose notes I read every day: Monica Larner, the Italy critic, sat at my table and shared her extensive knowledge of Italian wine with us throughout the evening. I also met William Kelly, who chose the lovely Champagne we began with, Joe Czerwinski, who you might guess was a beer critic rather than a wine until he opens his mouth and expounds his extensive knowledge, and of course Lisa Perrotti-Brown, successor to Robert Parker and editor-in-chief, who's responsible for rating all the Bordeaux and Napa/Sonoma Cabernets. I also met Nicolas Achard, the brand-new CEO of Wine Advocate since their acquisition by Michelin.

Dinner was at the two-Michelin-star restaurant Gabriel Kreuther. Chef made an appearance and explained he loves wine and designs his dishes with wine pairings in mind to reflect the flavors back and forth.

The meal, wines, and company were all top notch.

• 2008 Egly-Ouriet Champagne Grand Cru Brut Millésimé 95 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Nose of toast and crushed raspberries. Restrained bubbles (after decant). On the palate, slight sweetness, subtle florals and fruit pulp, long finish.

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• 2017 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Copious nose of honey, minerals, and wildflowers. On the palate, gorgeous balance of sweet, sour, salt, bitter, and umami. I see why people rave about these wines! So well made.

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• 2017 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc l'Ermite 94 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Restrained mineral nose. Bold on the palate with crushed citrus, honeysuckle, river rocks. Long finish.

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• 2016 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto Toscana IGT 95 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  My first Masseto. Intense floral nose. Dense and succulent on the palate with concentrated red fruit dripping from a mineral core. I think this wine could grow on me but it's pricey.

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• 2016 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 96 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Sassicaia

  Monica Larner is a big fan of what Sassicaia has done with their large-production wine over the last couple years and I can see why. Sweet cassis on the nose, lush but not overly sweet fruit on the palate with good acid. Long finish with some minerality. 96+

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• 2009 Château Cheval Blanc 98 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  My WOTN and of course the most expensive of the 10 100-point wines served. Thanks palate. The 2009 Bordeaux are the best young old-world wines I've ever had and this is no exception, although there are better values. Rich tobacco nose, dense, herbal dark fruit on the palate with opulent minerality and a very long seamless finish.

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• 2005 Hundred Acre Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Kayli Morgan

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Not going to rate this because for whatever reason it was showing with a strong green pepper note that ruined it for me. I tasted two different bottles and while it was less pronounced in the second, it was still present. I'm particularly sensitive to this flavor as were some of the other tasters but others thought the wine was great.

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• 2010 Hundred Acre Vineyard Shiraz "Deep Time" Ancient Way 94 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  This bottle got opened by mistake so we got to try it. Very refined, medium-bodied Syrah with balanced, red and dark fruit, licorice, raspberry. A lovely drink if you don't like your Syrah too loud.

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• 2015 Sine Qua Non Grenache "E" Eleven Confessions Vineyard 98 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Ah, the Eleven Confessions Grenache. I've only had the amazing 2011 Patine before. This showed more youthful of course with superbly dense and pure black fruit. Silky and powerful on the palate, these are amazing wines and a notch above SQN's regular bottling. 98+

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• 2016 Torbreck RunRig 95 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  I drink a lot of Washington Syrah and I tend to find most Barossa Shiraz a bit simple. I have to say this was beautifully balanced on the palate with slightly sweet blackberry jam that didn't overpower. For my taste, though, there are domestic Syrahs at half the price that I prefer.

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• 2009 Château d'Yquem 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  I'm definitely not a fan of dessert wines so take my rating with a gram of sugar. These are usually beautifully balanced but this seemed heavy on the sugar to me, overpowering its light body. Perhaps too young.

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What a great experience. I figured it would be a two-ounce pour of each of these expensive wines but they refilled glasses freely and no one left thirsty. Already looking forward to the next one! Highly recommended even at the hefty price tag.