Dinner for Juan and Theresa

Our house
Tasted Monday, October 26, 2009 by thomaskeil with 508 views

Introduction

Having Juan and Theresa in town from Boston provided a great 'excuse' to have everyone (Holger, Shelley, Joy, Randy and Josie) over for some food, wine and breast milk in Josie's case.

Flight 1 - Appetizers (1 Note)

1996 A. R. Lenoble Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Millésimé 92 Points

France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

No decline since last bottle 3 years ago. Still with just great mineral, bread, citrus and white fruit on the nose. This has a roundness on the palate that is very appealing against the minerals and acidity.

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Flight 2 - Lentil salad with Spanish white asparagus and poached egg. (1 Note)

2005 F.X. Pichler Riesling Smaragd Loibner Berg 94 Points

Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

Opened 2 hours ahead. Huge grin-inducing nose of white, tropical and melon with flinty flowers and a sense of citrus. Palate was exciting in that there was initially a sense of almost 'big', oily fruit, but it had such a minerally cut that this approached a lightness that let the floral and citrus components shine. This had wonderful texture (sweet minerals), almost great complexity and some finesse (despite its size). Nice length. An epiphany for me in the dry reisling direction.

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Flight 3 - Shrimp scampi ravioli with butter porcini sauce. (1 Note)

2004 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay Cahill Lane 89 Points

USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

Unexciting following the Pichler but worked very well with the dish. This had a redeeming mineral-backed acidity to offset the oaked somewhat heavy fruit. Very good.

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Flight 4 - Elk tenderloin with ratatouille and 'plain' risotto. (2 Notes)

1997 Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 93 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley

Decanted 2 hours (and needed it as was closed on opening). Expressive nose of red and dark berries, earth, cedar, and a hint of licorice/spice. Medium plus intensity fruit with vibrant flavors matching the nose. Some complexity and nice texture with soft tannins and focused, but light acidity, giving a pleasing but softish, silky texture that did feature some mineral. Medium length with medium complexity.

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1997 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 96 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

Decanted 2 hours. Lush yet soaring nose of great depth and featuring dark berries, spice, rich dark chocolate, and hints of cedar/tobacco. Rich full-bodied fruit immediately on entry. Many layers of primary flavors with some hint of secondary, giving a real sense of complexity and even a bit of finesse. Nicely textured with complex tannin sensations, good acidity and wonderful balance. Very persistent and complex length.

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Flight 5 - Cheese assortment and pears. (1 Note)

1995 Château Lamothe 90 Points

France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

Classic sauterne with a nice balance of fruit, sweetness and acidity but without depth, complexity or real finesse. Worked well with cheese and pears.

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