NSMFOW December '08--BYO Yankee Swap

Our last meeting of the year consisted of the annual blinded BYO and Yankee swap. The most interesting gift was Heidi's--she made the bottle of Mateus (which has been circulated as a gift for years) into some pretty nice vinegar. The wine selection was quite decadent and eclectic. I forgot to write down the food courses, but as usual, it was delicious.

• 2005 Burge Family Sémillon Olive Hill 89 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  Similar to my previous note. Light golden color. Nose of white fruits and flowers. Palate of apple and citrus. Good body with crisp acidity. Lighter and less oily than semillions I've had in the past. Well balanced and enjoyable.

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• 2006 Tiefenbrunner Müller-Thurgau Alto Adige - Südtirol Feldmarschall von Fenner 90 Points

  Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol

  Similiar to my previous notes: Light yellow color. Nose of flowers, pears. Similar palate with crisp fruit and wonderful minerality and acidity. Light, precise, and incredibly balanced. Not quite as flavorful as last tasting as it was served a bit too cold, but still delicious

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• 2005 Domaine Serene Coeur Blanc 88 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  Golden color. Nose of apple, pear, nuts, butter. Similar palate. Massively oaky. Guessed a buttery CA Chard. Interesting but not sure if I would buy this, especially for the price.

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• 1996 Sine Qua Non Against the Wall 95 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Dark ruby, almost opaque. Youthful nose of dark berries and cherries, flowers, some spice/smoke. Palate showed initially floral then the dark berries came through then cherries. Nice acidity and residual tannic structure. Spectacular wine! I mistook it for a mid 90's Nebbiolo due to the floral/cherry nuances. Thanks to Louis for bringing this treasure.

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• 1997 Château Lafite Rothschild 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Similar to my previous notes: Garnet color with some lightening at the rim. Nice nose of pencil shavings and game. Palate of cassis, blackberry, with some earthy undertones. Soft tannins. Finish was medium. Not a weighty wine but elegant and seems to be drinking well at the moment. I guessed a 1995 St. Julien.

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• 1994 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 88 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Brick red. Nose of barnyard, earth, stewed fruit. Similar palate. Tannins resolved. Seems past its prime, but still decent.

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• 2007 Sélectionné par Laurence Féraud Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret 82 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret

  Not great, especially following a Beaucastel.

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• 1997 Clos Apalta 93 Points

  Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley, Apalta

  Purple opaque with a hint of bricking at the edges. Nose of deep berries and smoke. Palate of blackberry, plum, tar, smoke, some earth and cedar. Nicely integrated tannins. Still youthful. Guessed CA Merlot.

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• 2000 i Clivi Galea Rosso 89 Points

  Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Friuli Colli Orientali

  Ruby with bricking. Nose of leather, kirsh, dark berries, earth. Similar palate with some plum and tar. Tannins well integrated. Lovely wine and quite a surprise to the group. My contribution #1

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• 1993 Paitin di Pasquero-Elia Barbaresco Sorì Paitin 85 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Dark brick red color. Nose of leather, barnyard, earth. Similiar palate lacking fruit. Past its prime.

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• 2004 Bodega Numanthia Toro Numanthia 95 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Toro

  Purple opaque. Nose of dark fruits: blackberry, blueberry, plum with spice, tar. Similar palate with dark chocolate. Massive mouthcoating tannins. This is a monster of a wine. Fabulous density. My contribution #2.

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• 2003 Chapoutier and Laughton Shiraz La Pleïade 90 Points

  Australia, Victoria, Central Victoria, Heathcote

  Purple opaque. Nose of blueberry, plum, blackberry, spice. Teeth staining palate of same with some jamminess, tar, smoke, spice. Some heat. Decent tannins. Good quality Aussie shiraz.

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• 1997 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Goldridge 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Dark ruby color. Nose of dark cherry, band-aid, some spice. Palate of jammy cherry, kirsh, spice, some earth. Tannins well-integrated. This has held up pretty well and was probably too over the top when it was young.

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This was a wonderful way to end the year. Next month Bev will be hosting perfect wine-food pairings.