Annual Caroling & Chili Party
R&D's
Tasted Saturday, December 9, 2023 by AllRed with 56 views
Introduction
The annual caroling event hosted by R&D- it’s the event that really gets us into the holiday spirit each year. The group grazes and sips on various hors d’oeuvres before heading to the piano to warm up the vocal chords prior to going caroling in the neighborhood. Those of us who are not gifted singers stay behind and mind the chili. A casual walk around tasting format, with many guests also contributing bottles.
2002 Launois Pere et Fils Champagne Grand Cru Special Club Blanc de Blancs 87 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Our last of the ‘02, a magnum, and upon opening it poured a light straw yellow color with a medium mousse. Apple and ripe pear elements in the bouquet with gingerbread and pear on the palate. A touch on the tart side upon opening, this improved a touch with air. Good, but not great, more than drinkable, and perhaps would have done better with food than on its own in the walk around tasting format tonight. 87+ pts.
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NV Taittinger Champagne Brut Réserve / La Française 89 Points
France, Champagne
Magnum. Light color with a lingering mousse. Citrus, green apple, ginger and almond notes. Fine bead. Nice. (R&D)
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NV Pierre Moncuit Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Pierre Moncuit-Delos Blanc de Blancs Brut 92 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Abundant apple and chalk elements with a subtle toasted bread notes in the background. Fine bead. Flavors of apple and marzipan with a citrus-tinged finish. Excellent. (J&J)
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2021 Knights Bridge Sauvignon Blanc Pont de Chevalier 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley
Pale color. Lemon, dried apricot, straw and lemongrass notes. The acidity, while noticeable, is not as sharp as it can be in many sauv blancs and balances the fruit quite nicely. Citrus, melon and quince flavors. Excellent. (R&D)
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2021 St. Supéry Sauvignon Blanc Dollarhide Estate 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Melon and lemongrass qualities on the nose and palate. Balanced. (J&S)
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2022 Lewis Cellars Syrah Vin Gris 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Our first taste of the ‘22 vintage. Wild strawberry and white pepper notes. Good underlying acidity. Always a substantial rosé which rarely disappoints. (R&D)
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2008 WesMar Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Our final bottle- a magnum- double decanted off its sediment an hour before the event began. Typical elegant, feminine Wesmar profile which I adore. Cherry, clove and potpourri notes with a subtle hint of earth in the background. Cherry and allspice linger on the finish. Showing beautifully in this format. 92-93 pts.
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2010 Les Pagodes de Cos 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
This was given a brief decant- about half an hour- before it was put in the lineup. Opens with a terrific earthy funk under black and red fruit tones. Medium tannins with flavors of red berry fruit, clay, forest floor and cigar box. Really blossomed over the course of the evening and amped up the fruit and tobacco nuances. Drinking surprisingly well for being so young and having just a brief decant. (J&S)
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2016 Château Faugères
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Red fruit, earth and bouillon notes. The bouillon quality follows through on the palate and I found it a little distracting. Perhaps not a representative sample, though others appreciated this more than I. (R&D)
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2008 Ridge Lytton Springs 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Magnum, double decanted off its sediment an hour before the event. Slight bricking. Mature red berry fruit, a touch plummy, with spice, white pepper and boysenberry tones. Picks up a subtle herbal element as it breathes. Balanced, with a nice finish. At peak in this format.
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2010 Ridge Zinfandel Lytton Estate 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Youthful color with dark zin fruit and peppery spice on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied and balanced, finishing with good length. Always reliable and a crowd pleaser. (R&D)
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2012 Robert Biale Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard 89 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Moon Mountain District
Opens with an abundance of dark zin fruit, piking up a perfumed floral quality as it breathes. Red plum, pepper and something like pine sap as well- kind of a sweet, herbaceous resin sort of quality. (R&D)
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2015 Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape 90 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Light color. Currant, macerated red berry and garrigue notes. On the lighter side of medium-bodied, with soft tannin and acidity in support of red berry fruit. Hints of garrigue and spice in the finish. Picks up a slight medicinal quality as it sits. (R&D)
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2015 James Joseph Cabernet Franc Reserve 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Double decanted off its sediment an hour before the event. Initially quite reticent this took time to open up. Mixed red and black fruit with typical herbaceous franc overtones. Nice.
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2018 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon 85 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Dark color. Grapey and ripe, bordering on syrupy. One taster remarked that it reminded him a bit of Caymus and I have to agree. Just not my style of cab. (R&D)
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2019 Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Mason's 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Deep inky color. Notes of cassis, plum, vanilla and barrel spice. Full-bodied, with flavors of blue and black fruit, vanilla and toast. Big, but balanced, with plenty of fruit for the tannin and oak treatment. Plenty of upside here. (R&D)
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2004 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma
Magnum, decanted off its sediment and put in the lineup. Starts out with an intriguing floral quality which gives way to dark plummy cabernet fruit. Hints of saddle leather and spice as well. Plum and leather on the palate. Fully resolved and ready to go. (R&R)
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2003 Château Raymond-Lafon 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Golden yellow color with notes of marmalade and apricot syrup. Rich texture, with flavors of stone fruit and botrytis spice. Excellent. (R&D)
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1991 Dow Porto Vintage 89 Points
Portugal, Douro, Porto
Light color with notes of cherry, white currant, plum, licorice and cedar. Dark plummy fruit on the palate with a lingering finish. Very nice. (R&D)
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