Soo's birthday

Tasted Friday, November 3, 2023 by melvinyeowq with 85 views

Introduction

Too many wines so brief notes, but what a line-up! '04 Chave will definitely be on the shortlist for my WOTY, other favourites included '98 Comtes, '98 d'Angerville Champans and the Egon Muller that I brought as an extra in case the Saxum wasn't to everyone's taste.

Flight 1 - Champagnes and whites (7 Notes)

Flight 2 - Reds (9 Notes)

  • 2005 Prince Florent de Merode Corton-Clos du Roi 89 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru

    Guessed 2005 Chambolle since I thought the pair was same producer and plot but of different vintage. Didn’t feel like a Burg at first with a moorish, almost Loire-like nose. Masculine and not very refined, sour cherry fruit was a little out of balance.

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  • 2008 Prince Florent de Merode Corton-Clos du Roi 90 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru

    Guessed 1999 Chambolle since I thought the pair was same producer and plot but of different vintage. Higher acidity and more balanced than the 2005, but still was a little rustic and lacked elegance/excitement. Quite a forgettable pair.

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  • 1998 Domaine Marquis d'Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Champans 94 Points

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

    Thought this was a Nebbiolo at first from the VA; had an incredibly perfumed and lifted nose. Palate also had high acidity and tannins. But when it was revealed to be a Burgundy, guessed 2002 CSJ because of the dark, sappy and refined fruit. Still very structured, will last for a long while yet. Very much in my wheelhouse.

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  • 2009 Benjamin Leroux Mazoyères-Chambertin Flawed

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Mazoyères-Chambertin Grand Cru

    Guessed ‘06 Gevrey weak GC. Cork wasn’t in the best condition apparently so this was a compromised bottle. Slightly advanced with a strange mint note.

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  • 1957 Maison Albert Bichot Gevrey-Chambertin 91 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin

    Guessed Pommard from the 1970s because of the iron notes and glimpse of its previous structure. Surprisingly alive, despite obviously having mainly tertiary notes such as mushroom and forest floor. Agreed with the others who said that this probably wasn’t a 100% Pinot haha.

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  • 2019 Jean-Marc Millot Côte de Nuits Villages 89 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Nuits Villages

    Finally a 2019 that is drinking well, haven’t had much luck with them so far. Still a little over-exuberant for me but at least it wasn’t just one-dimensional primary, jammy fruit. Met expectations for its level.

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  • 1977 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Thought it might have been a Bordeaux at first but the sweet fruit slowly emerged to make clear that it was a Napa. Smoky, dark cherry fruit, gained structure and asserted itself more with air. These old Napa Cabs have consistently been a treat; love how they evolve so differently from aged Bordeaux but are equally enjoyable.

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  • 2004 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 96 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    Wow everyone guessed a high-class Burg for this. So perfumed, silky and with velvety tannins I thought it had to be from a very good maker like M-G. I adored the red-fruited nature, supreme elegance and sensual finish here. Agreed with the person who brought this that Chave in cool years might be the play here, and another northern rhone that was mistaken for a Burg to add to the list. One of my best wines of the year.

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  • 2006 Saxum James Berry Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    My contribution. 76% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre, 6% Grenache and a whopping 16.7% alcohol. Most managed to identify this as an American Syrah. Still quite youthful, most guessed that this was around 10 years old. A huge, powerful wine with dark cherry fruit but in a restrained rather than hedonistic manner. Not my style but could drink this, unlike more modernist makers that swing towards more oak, extraction and blue fruit.

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Flight 3 - Round 2 (2 Notes)

  • 2003 Cullen Wines Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 92 Points

    Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

    Some greenness but with sweet maraschino cherry fruit. Guessed late-90s Tuscan Bordeaux blend because of the sweetness and polish but this was still very much a restrained wine. Unlike the '96 that I tried previously, definitely will not be mistaken for a Bordeaux. Well-resolved and firmly in its drinking window.

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  • 1985 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Côte-Rôtie Les Jumelles 92 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    At least we managed to land on northern Rhone for this one - very similar to the old Guigals that I have opened so guessed 1991 Hermitage. Deep, smoky dark red fruit with some savoury bacon notes. In excellent shape for its age but lacked the extra gear of the Guigals of the same era.

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