Luis Rides Again @ Tilia!

Luis put together a small post-Covid group to taste wines at Tilia! Great food, great wine, and a great time getting together with friends!

• 2008 Moët & Chandon Champagne Grand Vintage 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  The more wines I have from 2008, the more I appreciate that vintage, especially for Chardonnay! This wine was drinking extremely well with the nose and palate displaying crisp apple, a creamy pear mousse, and toasty ed brioche! Very nice Champagne with a medium finish....very good bang for your buck! 92-92+. Will likely not improve much, but no hurry to drink!

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• 2010 Dom Pérignon Champagne 94 Points

  France, Champagne

  PnP...Great Champagne with the nose displaying notes of toasted brioche, straw, citrus and white flower. The palate was equally seductive with lots pf tart green apple, citrus and minerality that was laser focused. Still a very young wine (even at 10 y.o.) that will benefit from additional age. Hanging on to these for a few more years before opening will pay dividends! 94 now with the potential to gain a point or two with some additional age.

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• 2011 Joseph Drouhin Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Garenne 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru

  PnP - This wine showed oyster, lemon rind, and grassy notes on the nose. The palate was marked with an abundance of minerality and salinity (mostly sea shell), accompanied by Meyers Lemon, bread dough and tart apples. Texture was slightly creamy (which I liked) and finish was medium. A very nice Montrachet! 92+ to 93 points!

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• 2016 Sine Qua Non Deux Grenouilles 94 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  PnP - Nose showed white flowers, white pepper, honeydew melon and limestone. Palate took a while to open up (served a tad too cold), but then assaulted you with creamy pear, honeycomb, lemon lime and an array of tropical fruits. The wine kept improving with time in the glass, unfortunately, I think I finished my glass before it peaked! Excellent, full mouthfeel. A very nice white blend! 93-94+ points (and that is likely conservative because the wine kept improving in the glass). The wine maintained an interest through the last drop!

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• 2011 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  PnP - Nose showed tropical fruits, some bread notes and white flowers. Palate showed layers of pear, melon, some tropical fruits, toasted oak and vanilla cream. This was my favorite white of the tasting. Aubert definitely deserves its reputation in my book! Easy 94 to 95 points! I believe this wine has a lot of life still left in it, although not sure it further improve. It did get a little better with time in the glass, but I suspect that was from warming up a little, rather than aging. Drink or hold, but drinking well now!

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• 1986 Château Montrose 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

  Opened upon arrival at restaurant, splashed then let slo-O for 2 hours before consumption. Nose: Earth, graphite, and slightly perfumed dark fruit (great nose!). Palate: Black current, blackberry, earth, pencil lead, and hints of bark. Tannins were still grippy, but integrated enough for the fruit and tertiary flavors to shine through. Undoubtably, still has lots of life and may even further improve....no hurry on this, but pretty darn good now! 94+ points....a very good bottle! Hope my last one will be as good!

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• 2002 Vieux Château Certan 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  PnP - Nose showed mocha, chocolate and lilac/lavender notes followed by earthy blackberry scents. Palate showed lots of bramble, red and black fruit with some earth, tar and chocolate notes. The tannins were smooth and velvety, giving the wine a rich mouthfeel. I was looking forward to trying this wine, and it did not disappoint! This wine was my favorite palate, just edging out the '86 Montrose. 94+ points, and my WOTN. No hurry, but drinking extremely well now!

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• 2000 Château Pavie Decesse 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Decanted for 2+ hours prior to serving. Nose showed a nice mix of tertiary and fruit notes, mostly earth and leather (on the tertiary side) and blackberry and plum (on the fruit side). The palate pretty much followed suit with the addition of a hint of chocolate and vanilla. The wine probably needs more of a decant as it was still showing signs of alcohol and was still quite tannic. The fruit and tertiary flavors are enough to overcome the tannins and alcohol, but the later still detract from the whole experience. 93 now, but a chance to improve with more age....I would probably wait another 3-5 years to open these, or give it a very long decant (5+ hours minimum).

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• 1990 Château La Tour Blanche Sauternes 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  PnP - I like older Sauternes...they just seem to have an elegance about them, plus usually a tad more creamy caramel, which I like! This was no exception. Nose showed light petrol, which blew off and gave way to apricot and peach notes along with honeysuckle. Palate followed suit with additional notes of orange, almond creme and, of course, hints of caramel! 92-93 points and in a great spot!

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Always enjoy these social moments, especially after being so isolated during Covid. Just hope everyone gets vaccinated and takes proper precautions to avoid a repeat! Other than that little rant, the get-together was great! All the wines, the food and the camaraderie combined to make this an awesome tasting! Cheers and thanks to all who participated!