Ken's First Father's Day

Sunday was my brother's first Father's Day, so we all gathered at our parents' house for a quiet dinner. I wasn't going to do formal notes, but these are my scribbled impressions from the wines.

• 1996 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon 95 Points

  France, Champagne

  Wow. What a champagne. I've seen a few notes suggesting that this was closing down. While it was tight and clearly young, it was still very expressive. Unfortunately, this is my first taste of this champagne, so I can't say that it was more open some time ago. But if this is closed, then whoa nellie. Anyway, this big guy showed me great citrus, a flash of yeast, and some deep nuttiness. What was amazing, though, was how well that whole package was integrated. I may have to pick more of these guys up -- and I'll definitely be a buyer on the magnum release.

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• 2003 Palmina Pinot Grigio Alisos Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  This is what summer wine is all about. Very fruity but still light. It's hard to imagine finding someone who wouldn't want to drink this on the porch on a warm, sunny day.

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• 2001 Terre D'Or Syrah Alisos Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  Well, what to open on Father's Day but my father's wine? Only decanted for 3 hours, this needed WAY more time. Dad had shared a bottle w/ Seth Kunin when he was in town, and that bottle had been decanted 6+ hours and showed a bit better. Still, though, this was really, really powerful. My scribbled notes say, "Bacon dipped in black pepper with a side of dark fruits." That sums things up nicely, I think. The pepper was a hair overwhelming, but I was told that it recedes with more time in the decanter. In any event, this has great potential. Bravo.
  
  N.B. - This was the only vintage of Terre D'or -- it's now known as "Alder".

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• 1989 Château Coutet Barsac 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

  Yum. I tried to convince my father to let me open some of the Rieussec I keep in his cellar (since my gift to my brother on his first Father's Day was '04 Rieussec futures to drink with his son).... to no avail. My scribbled notes say, "Unctous. Honey-coated rose petal. 30+ second finish." So, there you have it. This was a major crowd-pleaser of a Sauternes. (Out of a 750ml.)

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Next year let's do it again!