Steve Saxon Offline @ Zach's in Mt. Snow

Steve Saxon was visiting from out west, so we organized this free-for-all tasting event. It actually expanded to Friday night, but I could only make it for Saturday. There were some excellent wines drunk Friday and a few Saturday that I did not get to taste.

Attendees: Zach Lang (host), Jordan Whitehead (chef), Steve Saxon (guest of honor), Peter C z y r y c a (Steve's co-conspirator), Tyler Rico, Michael Malinoski, MattBillet (Ken's Cousin), Joe (Ken's cousin's friend). Sadly, L e o F r o k i c got a flat tire and never made it, but he was there in spirit as everyone told their Leo stories, mostly using the voice of Borat! ;)

With shellfish wonderfully prepared by Jordan.

• 1996 Kalin Cellars Sémillon 91 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  Complex, interesting nose of peaches and kumquats. Long complex mineral finish. I like it.

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• NV Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvée Brut 88 Points

  France, Champagne

  Sprightly. Pleasant.

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• 1996 A. R. Lenoble Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Millésimé 94 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Big yeasty, lemon-custard nose. Crisp, complex. I like this a lot!

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• 1996 J. Lassalle Champagne Premier Cru Brut Chigny-lès-Roses 85 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Blah.

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With incredible Flannery pork and beef.

• 1997 Cardinale 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Signed magnum.] Lovely nose. A nice wine. Some tannins present, but I think this is as ready as it will get. Has a nice cherry finish.

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• 1995 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Gorgeous, ripe red fruit nose. Rich and fabulous. Long finish. Not quite as good as the 97, but very very good.

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• 1993 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  A huge red wine. Really impressive for the vintage. If I've had this before, I don't recall it being this good. Loads of delicious red fruit. A very forward and appealing wine. I would assume it's at its peak now. I could drink this all night.

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• 1991 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Magnum. Double decanted at 11am.] Much darker than the 93. And a much more serious wine typical of the vintage. I've had some 750s of this that haven't shown this well. This is a great wine!

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• 1995 Venge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve Flawed

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Tart, green, weird.

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• 2006 Sine Qua Non Grenache Raven Series 97 Points

  USA, California

  Stunning nose of red berry fruit with hints of graphite and coffee. Massive, rich, extracted, yet still harmonious. Terrific sweet red fruit. Wow!

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• 1999 David Arthur Cabernet Sauvignon Elevation 1147 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Magnum. Decanted for about 4 hours.] Very impressive wine! Appealingly tart cherries. Has an excellent richness and structure to it that I really like. Classic Napa Cab.

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• 2001 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 98 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Stunning nose of redwood and red currant. A huge appealingly tart wine of incredible structure. Really impressive! Best 2015-25. Thanks to Matthew for bringing this and for the fact that I have 5 in my cellar! WOTN for me.

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• 1990 Château Gruaud Larose 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Earth mulch and saddle leather. Rich, mature. Petroleum and red fruit. Some folks don't like it. I can see why, but I like it.

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• 2006 Scholium Project Gardens of Babylon 94 Points

  USA, California

  Huge black fruit nose. Massive and tannic in the mouth. Great depth and complexity. Lots of bright red and black fruit. I'm a total Petite Sirah ho, so I love this wine. Will certainly improve for 20-30 years.

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• 1994 Graham Porto Vintage 96 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  [Double decanted at 11am.] Nose is somewhat sweet and simple raspberry. In the mouth, rich and complex. A delicious port. Still young but showing well. Long, riveting finish. Should get more aromatic in 10 years and drink well for 20-30 more.

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Hats off to Zach for his hospitality and to Jordan for his cooking! And thanks to Steve for giving us an excuse. It was a great evening. I very much enjoyed meeting everyone.

Steve is a mench and even crazier in person!