France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru
Foreground of oxidation, and a background of tangy acidity. Flavor of apple cider. The oxidation wasn't altogether unpleasant but still seemed like a bug rather a feature.
From a magnum (deceptively served as two separate wines). The initial aroma was striking -- Chris P. said 'campfire,' Michael went with 'matchstick,' and I detected a hint of gasoline. The wine is old but still tannic, and with a green-apple acidity that would usually be more characteristic of a white wine. Lots of vanilla, some spiciness, some sweetness on the aftertaste, and a sneaky initial taste of celery seed. The celery-broccoli element led me to guess that it was a Loire red -- Syrah was a surprise.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru
A terrific, incisive wine -- my favorite in a very strong line-up. High-intensity, with a lot of beautifully integrated acidity. It tastes mature but with no sign of old age.
Very dark. A lot of tannin. Serious intensity but no sweetness, with an unexpected edge of grapefruit flavor. This was impressive but not very generous, and I had no idea what it was, even though I would usually expect to be able to identify a Rhys Pinot.
Paired with the 2008 Alpine -- this one was a lot more effusive, very exotically spicy, with none of the strawberry or cola notes that often pop up in California Pinots.
Paired with a Pontet-Canet from the same vintage, this one was also very tannic, but with a lot more going on. No sweetness, but strong flavors of leather and cherry, and great structure.
Lots of vanilla, some detectable alcohol, and an exotically spicy profile -- cardamom and clove. Last September, we had the Kosta Browne Kanzler Vineyard from the same vintage (thanks to Michael M.), and that wine was very advanced, with a lot of wet-leaf flavor. This one, by contrast, still seems to be in its prime. (Michael M. guessed that this one was a Wind Gap Pinot, which is pretty darn close.)
South Africa, Coastal Region, Cape Peninsula, Constantia
A treat from David W.: In a 500ml bottle, this is clearly Muscat, with a strong apricot flavor and a nice acidity. Drinkable now but should last forever.
2004 Bouchard Père et Fils Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru
Foreground of oxidation, and a background of tangy acidity. Flavor of apple cider. The oxidation wasn't altogether unpleasant but still seemed like a bug rather a feature.
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1972 M. Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
From a magnum (deceptively served as two separate wines). The initial aroma was striking -- Chris P. said 'campfire,' Michael went with 'matchstick,' and I detected a hint of gasoline. The wine is old but still tannic, and with a green-apple acidity that would usually be more characteristic of a white wine. Lots of vanilla, some spiciness, some sweetness on the aftertaste, and a sneaky initial taste of celery seed. The celery-broccoli element led me to guess that it was a Loire red -- Syrah was a surprise.
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2000 Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Aux Beaux Bruns
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Slightly browning. Another old wine, with a strong cherry flavor, and a bit of clothiness.
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2000 Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Estournelles-St.-Jacques 95 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru
A terrific, incisive wine -- my favorite in a very strong line-up. High-intensity, with a lot of beautifully integrated acidity. It tastes mature but with no sign of old age.
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2008 Rhys Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Very dark. A lot of tannin. Serious intensity but no sweetness, with an unexpected edge of grapefruit flavor. This was impressive but not very generous, and I had no idea what it was, even though I would usually expect to be able to identify a Rhys Pinot.
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2011 Rhys Pinot Noir Horseshoe Vineyard
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Paired with the 2008 Alpine -- this one was a lot more effusive, very exotically spicy, with none of the strawberry or cola notes that often pop up in California Pinots.
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1994 Château Pontet-Canet
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Very tannic, with a prickly quality, and a strong metallic edge. If this hasn't relaxed at all in 29 years, I am not sure that it ever will.
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1994 Château Montrose
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Paired with a Pontet-Canet from the same vintage, this one was also very tannic, but with a lot more going on. No sweetness, but strong flavors of leather and cherry, and great structure.
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2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Lots of vanilla, some detectable alcohol, and an exotically spicy profile -- cardamom and clove. Last September, we had the Kosta Browne Kanzler Vineyard from the same vintage (thanks to Michael M.), and that wine was very advanced, with a lot of wet-leaf flavor. This one, by contrast, still seems to be in its prime. (Michael M. guessed that this one was a Wind Gap Pinot, which is pretty darn close.)
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2016 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance
South Africa, Coastal Region, Cape Peninsula, Constantia
A treat from David W.: In a 500ml bottle, this is clearly Muscat, with a strong apricot flavor and a nice acidity. Drinkable now but should last forever.
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