Guy's Night: Variety Pack

This was the regular tasting for the Guy's Night Out group. We had six of us for a mixed theme, or what I like to call a progressive theme (KB/VB, DS, JG, JP, DS,SP) where we work through from Champagne, to Chards/Whites, then Pinot, then Cab/Bdx and dessert wines. We paired these up with a menu that I created for tonight. We had a wonderful time with some really outstanding wines. Great night everyone.

• 2004 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut 96 Points

  France, Champagne

  Light gold color. Drank a glass over 45 minutes. This has a gorgeous confectionery nose, filled with almond paste, dulce de leche, nougat, ocean air, green apple and green orchard fruits with subtle mineral notes. The palate is full bodied showing bright golden orchard fruits, almond cream, brioche, stone, spice, apricot tart, toasted almonds, and a very subtle oxidative note. This was showing excellent complexity and depth. Lovely. 95+ to 96pts.

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• 2006 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Rosé Brut 95 Points

  France, Champagne

  Medium salmon color. Drank a glass over an hour. I continue to adore this wine. Love the nose as it bursts with toastiness and wild berry fruits, pear, hazelnut, stone, orange peel and subtle spicy potpourri aromas. The palate is rich and layered, there's some serious weight here, ultra creamy, great toast, strawberry, wild raspberry, citrus, orange zest, liqueur de framboise, cherry skin, chalk and hazelnut. Well defined and powerful, this is impressive again. I've seen a number of comments about this being young and to sit on them. Personally, I think this is drinking great and there is no reason to hold off on these. 95+ to 96pts.

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• 2008 Bouchard Père et Fils Corton-Charlemagne Domaine 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

  Light golden color. Drank a glass over an hour. Pretty slate minerality, dry stone, pear, lemon, with a touch of brine. The palate follows the lead with a medium full bodied frame and blissful mineral notes, pear, lemon tart, fleshy nectarine, and saline on a long crystalline finish. This was a picture of purity and mineral focus, so well defined and balanced with an ultra elegant profile. 94+ to 95pts.

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• 2015 Aubert Chardonnay Sugar Shack 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Light medium gold color. Followed a glass over 2 hours. Rich, baked apple, oak, opulent and buttery, apricot, cedar dust, sweet and spicy. Not in what I generally think of as a more dialed in Aubert style, and this seems to be trekking on the other side of the hill.

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• 2015 Kistler Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  Light medium gold color. Followed a glass for 2 hours. Full bodied, tart, lemon, lychee, lots of oak, bitters, alcohol, white melon. This seemed quite different from a bottle in late December, so score reserved.

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• 1998 Louis Jadot Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Domaine Louis Jadot 95 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru

  Dark red color, with a 4mm transition to clear. PNP, drank a glass over 90 minutes. Gorgeous nose with so much earth and minerality; damp earth and a touch of funk, cherry, iodine, tobacco leaf, iron, and saddle leather. The palate is medium plus bodied, very poised and delivers the whole package with a nice balance of red fruits with cherry and some darker black raspberry notes; lots of dried earth and then the iodine, mineral, tobacco, and leather come through. Fine tannins, complex, and long. There was a touch of wonk that quickly blew off with a couple swirls. Loved it.

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• 2017 Antica Terra Pinot Noir Botanica 94 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Medium-dark red color. PNP, drank a glass over 90 minutes. Gorgeous raspberry fruits, so earthy with such pretty spices, elegant and expressive, just lovely texturally. Beautiful and impeccably balanced; another truly impressive 2017 from Oregon.

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• 1994 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Very dark red/purple color. Poppped the cork and left out for 3+ hours before serving. Drank a glass over an hour plus. Leather, funk, cassis, deep berry fruits, graphite, penetrating and layered, round tannins and a sleek texture. A splendid Montelena Estate that still has a full tank of gas.

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• 1997 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Vieilles Vignes Eisele Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Very dark red/purple color. PNP, drank a glass over an hour plus. Leather, saddle, funk, full bodied, cassis, plum, scorched earth, blackberry, dried earth, bigger but not at all over the top. Excellent. In a siide by side, I like the finesse of the Montelena a little more.

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• 2006 Château Suduiraut 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Medium gold color. Drank a glass from 375ml over 30 minutes. Orange creamsicle, tangerine, spice, balanced, honey, bright, vigorous with intensity and energy. Very easy drinking. 93+pts or maybe better.

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