Hart Davis Hart BYO Dinner

This was the first attempt at a BYO dinner series by HDH. Wasn't sure exactly what to expect but we organized a good representation from the Flock and it turned out to be a fun dinner with a suprisingly good lineup of wines. Special thanks to Jim C. who showed his customary generosity by bringing mags of 05 l'Oree and 92 Harlan!

Only downside was the overall poor quality of food in the private room at Blackbird - an experience that is becoming more the norm than the exception. Not sure why they do such a great job downstairs and it just isn't translating upstairs...

This was very much a social tasting and sharing environment so my notes here are more brief impressions than detailed focused notes.

• 1995 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc De L'Orée 94 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  From Mag. Rich butterscotch with some spice and perfume. Tons of richness here - one of the better examples I've had of this wine.

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• 2005 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  From Mag. Lovely bright floral with banana notes on the nose. Nice tight grassy yellow fruit on teh palate. Nice - rounder than expected. 93-94 pts.

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• 2003 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Cuvée Roussanne Vieilles Vignes 94 Points

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

  Forward nose with bright honey yellow fruit and mineral on the palate. Showing quite well, especially for this ripe vintage.

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• 1996 Marcel Deiss Altenberg de Bergheim 94 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  Huge nose of honey. Rich and honeyed on the palate as well. A lovely wine with all sort of mineral and fruit going on.

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• 2000 Marcel Deiss Altenberg de Bergheim 92 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  Clean vanilla honey nose. Rich unctuous tighter yellow caramel fruit on the palate. Younger with a tight long finish. Upside here. 92-93pts.

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• 2006 Sine Qua Non The Hoodoo Man 93 Points

  USA, California

  Lovely rich complex nose. Tight balanced chardonnay / rhone blend. An interesting wine, especially alongside all the actual white rhones. The nose is more interesting than the palate here, but the wines holds its own.

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• 1990 Domaine René Engel Clos Vougeot 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

  Another strong showing for this wine. Lovely brown sugar cherry nose. Nice ripe black cherry on the palate. Well received at the dinner.

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• 1966 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Wonderful nose of sour cedar and briar. A little sour on the palate but still surprisingly youthful and lovely. A nice example.

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• 1966 Château Figeac 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Lovely spicy sweet nose. A little more washed out palate, but still lovely.

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• 1992 Harlan Estate 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  From Mag. Incredible bordeaux aroma of cedar, pencil lead and fruit. Mmmn, lovely black ripe fruit. A real treat to taste, especially from mag where is it drinking 'a point'!

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• 1984 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Didn't catch a good note on this one, but it was drinking very nicely and showed well in the lineup. A throw-back to an earlier time of california winemaking...

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• 2000 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul 94 Points

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

  Nice briar nose. Mmmn, nice spicy black fruit with some sweetness - very nice.

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• 1989 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Flawed

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

  Always a hit or miss wine, sadly this was a flawed example.

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• 1996 Dalla Valle Maya 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Lovely nose with telltale green notes. Lovely round tight black fruit. Very nice.

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• 1987 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Showing shockingly well, better than 87 HSSs I've had in the past. Beautiful nose with very nice rich chocolate notes on the palate.

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• 1984 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Forward black fruit nose. Nice earthy black fruit. Nice enough.

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• 1994 Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Claret 94 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma

  Showed very nicely and was well received by the group - definitely better than the 1995. Nose of black fruit with black fruit and coffee notes on the palate.

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• 1995 Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Claret 92 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma

  Medium nose of sweet black fruit. A little sour on the palate with black fruit as well.

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There was also a dessert course (Chestnut sponge with araguani chocolate ice cream, camembert cheese, and aged balsamic - tasted as odd as it sounds!) with some nice dessert wines, but I didn't capture them...