Wine Engagement Dinner

This was the first of the 'wine engagement' dinners at NoMi that I have attended. For the most part, the 14 participants were more wine and food fans than serious wine geeks. However, the four of us - dennis, ken, gary, and me - certainly enjoyed tasting through all the wines and especially the great La Las. It was interesting the NoMi really seemed to be pushing the social aspect of the dinner.

Appetizers were very good with a deep fried foie gras and truffle juice ball that was absolutely to die for. The food was solid even though it was served family style so could not show the artistry and sophistication that you usually get in a NoMi multi-course dinner.

All the wines were flowing surprising freely for a dinner like this with the obvious exception of the La Las which were single bottles split 14 ways - not a great pour, but certainly enough to make a judgement and enjoy.

Overall, I really enjoyed myself (except for some teeth problems later in the evening that were highly annoying) and I thought it was a pretty solid value.

• 2006 E. Guigal Condrieu 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu

  Very nice bright perfumed nose - classic condrieu. Lovely spicy palate with a long finish. Very nice.

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• 2005 E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Full bright red color. Big spicy bacon fat black fruit nose. Nice black fruit on the palate. Very bright and acidic. Surprisingly good for a Crozes...

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• 2003 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape 90 Points

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

  Medium red color. Forward nose of red/black fruit, olive, and barnyard. Nice rich black spicy fruit with a touch of sweet. Good typicity. 90-91 pts.

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• 1999 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Mouline 97 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  A spactacular bottle, though clearly still a youth with tons of upside potential. Fulol deep black red color. Lovely lithe floral violet and black fruit on the nose with tar and menthol notes. Mmmmn, huge palate of black fruit, cassis, and spice. Lots of stuffing and complexity, but not quite as forward and open knit as the Turque.

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• 1999 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 94 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Another great bottle, but a clear laggard in the big three in my opinion. The most tannic and backward, this could grow into something, but I don't see the focus, precision, stuffing, complexity, etc that you get in the Mouline and I don't see the easy ripe fruit and balance of the Turque. Medium bright red color. Big nose of black pepper and perfumed logenberry fruit. Tight bright black fruit on the palate with a firm tannic frame. 94-95pts.

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• 1999 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Turque 96 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Perhaps not as profound as the Mouline, I thought the Turque was drinking the best tonight. Full deep red color. Huge nose of sour red/black fruit with chocolate notes. mmmn, big bright black cherry fruit with spice and sweet notes. Great balance and light on its feet for everything it carries. 96-97 pts.

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Huge variety of wonderful looking desserts at the end but I wasn't eating at that point.