A friend's b-day tasting

Washington, D.C.
Tasted Sunday, January 7, 2024 by isaacjamesbaker with 86 views

Flight 1 - Opening Champagne (2 Notes)

Flight 2 - Fun Stuff (10 Notes)

  • 2017 Paolo Bea Santa Chiara 93 Points

    Italy, Umbria

    I loved this, found it fascinating, but also delicious. Cool apricot color. Smells of dried apricots, pineapple, orange peel, white tea, basil, sea salt, some musk. The palate is texturally rich but spritely, with noticeable tannin. Orange peels, candied pineapple, dried mango, the fruit is matched with complex notes of tobacco, green herbs, almond, saline, quinine, and even some olive brine elements. A really fun orange wine that I'd love to revisit in two or four years.

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  • 2010 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Clos du Bourg 92 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

    Creamy, whipped fruits on the nose with pineapple and lemon bars, chalk dust. The palate has focused acidity, but the fruit feels quite sweet (like canned peaches and pineapples), but in a good way -- just a bit odd. Plush texture, lots of salty, crushed shell vibes. Sweet but still balanced and vibrant.

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  • 2018 Beau Rivage Chenin Blanc 90 Points

    USA, California, Central Valley, Clarksburg

    Flavors of chunky pineapples, lemon curd, orange peels. Racy acidity but plenty of creamy texture. The fruit blends well with flinty minerals and tones of almond skin and peanut brittle. My first time with this producer, and I'm a fan. Feel like this could be a lot of fun as a ringer in a blind tasting.

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  • 2011 Domaine Les Roches (Alain et Jérome Lenoir) Vin de France 93 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Vin de France

    Loving the spice, savory herbs, broth on the nose, over tangy cranberry relish. Spicy and tangy on the palate with dusty tannins and flavors of mulled cherries and cranberry sauce. Accents of tobacco, tar, spiced black tea, and oregano add complexity. Love the mouthfeel and savory nuances in this bad boy.

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  • 2018 Comm. G.B. Burlotto Langhe Mores 89 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

    An interesting Nebbiolo/Barbera blend that I found fun. Black cherries on the sweeter side, more chewy tannins, lively acidity. With pepper, earth, some tar, coffee grounds. I'd like this with a hot stew on a cold night.

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  • 2014 Château des Tours Côtes du Rhône Grande Réserve 94 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

    Great showing. The nose just rages with spice. I'm talking black pepper, anise, curry powder, roasted red pepper, hatch chili flakes, spicy tobacco -- really cool. There's some nice dark cherry fruit underneath, too. On the palate, this is aging well, with a dusty frame and lively acidity. Mulled strawberries and cranberries, the fruit is matched with menthol, black pepper, and all sorts of Indian spices. Love the silky mouthfeel and finish.

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  • 2013 Elio Sandri Barolo Riserva Perno 93 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Love the nose, showing juicy black and red cherries and currants with an airy, perfumed feel, and lots of spicy herbs. The palate has nice grip, zesty acidity, and crunchy cherry fruit. Notes of iron, mineral, tar, menthol, and magic marker add complexity. I'd love to see where this goes in another five or six years.

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  • 2004 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 93 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Rich and saucy with mulled currants and sour cherries, along with tar, dried violets, chewing tobacco. Maintains serious grip and density, and could use some time. I like the rhubarb and floral perfume tones that carry the finish. This deserved more time spent on it, I think, but very nice.

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  • 2007 Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 94 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon

    Wow, this has aged wonderfully and showed well. I served this blind and a lot of folks were batting around 2010 Baudrys or even Clos Rougeard. Lots of spice on the nose (pepper, anise, roasted red pepper, black olives) with deep black cherry and black currant fruit. Lovely freshness and balance on the palate between smooth but structured tannins and fresh acidity. Cherry and plum fruit blended with sauteed oyster mushrooms, black pepper, some black and green olives, dried violets. Glad I've held onto this for a long time and looking forward to checking back in a few more years.

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  • 2021 Marcel Lapierre Morgon 90 Points

    France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon

    Classic stuff with aromas of deep black cherries, lots of flowers, and some clay and potting soil. Suave tannins, fresh acidity, a juicy, vibrant wine with sweet red and black cherry fruit and nuances of earth and minerals. Just a straight-up yummy wine.

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