Christmas Eve and Christmas Wines

This was a most assuredly different Christmas. It was very strange being without family for the first time ever. We were able to have one son socially distanced on Christmas Day, but that was it. At least Zoom provided the opportunity to virtually gather together with both sides of the family. Despite the circunstances, we had a couple of great meals and some outstanding wines. Happy Holidays to all our wine friends. We miss you and look forward to raising a glass together soon!

• 2002 Drappier Champagne Réserve de l'Oenothèque 93 Points

  France, Champagne

  (12/24/2020)

  Light shimmering gold color. Fine mousse. Drank 2 glasses over 2 hours. This has a rather bright nose of green fruits and citrus, yeast, floral notes, pear, a lots of almond cream. The palate is very nutty, apple, pear, expansive, cereal, creamy texture and lovely wet limestone with a citrus finish. There is a touch of sweetness here, and it feels just right in context. Really enjoyed this and wish I'd gone bigger now. 93+ to 94pts.

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• 2005 Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis 1er Cru Les Lys 96 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

  (12/24/2020)

  Light medium gold color. Drank 2 glasses over 2+ hours. Wow, this was another fabulous bottle of this wine. Third time having this and we've never been disappointed. This was head turningly good, and fantastic with our Blue Pool oysters. Lemon blossom nose with fresh spritzed lemon, amazing ocean air and deeply earthy, briny. The high pitched aromatic florals are captivating with an almost sweet sensation of white flowers. The nose is penetrating with all its brine and sea shell mineraity and a hint of lime. The palate is in itself a riveting blend of tingly wet stones and bright Meyer lemon, very tangy, tart white grapefruit. This is seamless and pure with great ocean minerality and saline, pear, and a very long finish. Amazing.

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• 2001 Château Suduiraut 96 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  (12/24/2020)

  Deep gold color. Drank a glass from 375ml over 30 minutes. We opened this for my seared foie gras and pineapple course. Bold spiced botrytis nose, spiced tangerine, Ranier peach, apricot, honeysuckle, floral, honey, and pineapple. The palate is bright and balanced with crisp acid, pure fruits, and a creamy, honeyed texture, apricot, grilled pineapple, tangerine, well spiced, toasted cocnut shavings and vanilla bean on a crazy long finish.

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• 1999 Domaine Michel Gaunoux Pommard 1er Cru Les Grands Épenots 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard 1er Cru

  (12/24/2020)

  Medium dark red plus color, 2mm clear edge. PNP, drank 2 glass over 3 hours. This took some time to come out of its shell. Dried earth, oozing iron and minerals, dried cherry and sauvage on the nose. As this opens the dark fruit moves more forward and shows blackberry and black cherry notes. The palate has a rustic charm and depth; tons of minerals and iron, blood meal, grainy tannins, and medium length. This slowly shows more fruit, black raspberry and black cherry. Probably lost a step the next day when we finished it up.

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• 2003 Château Kirwan 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  (12/25/2020)

  Very dark red color, 2mm clear margin. Decanted for 2 hours. Split bottle over 4 hours. Funky nose with violets, cassis, wet leather, pencil, hints of blue fruit. The palate is full bodied, cassis, deep leather, gravel, tart spicy black cherry, hints of scorched earth, round dry tannins and a nicely framed oak spice finish. Very good, plenty of time left.

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