A Second Snowed In Saturday

Philadelphia had never received two 20+ snow falls in the same winter. Both happened to occur on a Saturday, so the perfect answer is opening some good bottles of wine.

• 1997 Diebolt-Vallois Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésimé 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  Pale golden color. Slight oxidation on nose (light Sherry character) and roasted almond or even almond butter. Some light citrus and minerals as well. Palate is well rounded but a bit subtle. Orange zest and grapefruit. Nice creaminess. Good finish with the grapefruit lasting a good long time.

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• 2005 Weingut Keller Kirchspiel Riesling Großes Gewächs 89 Points

  Germany, Rheinhessen

  Nice pale color with tinge of green. Apricot, honey and petrol on nose. Steely palate with mineral and citrus. Not enough acidity for my taste. Persistent quality finish.

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• 2003 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Very good but I rated it a notch below my fellow tasters. Tremendous lemon on the nose with integrated oak. Brown sugar develops as well. Nice creamy texture, great citrus concentration. Lovely but firm. Nice lengthy sweet finish. My only nits are that the fruit is a slight bit tart and there is a touch of heat.

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• 2006 Gérard Raphet Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux St. Jacques 88 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru

  We expected this bottle to be flawed due to heat damage, and while it was a bit flawed and not showing at its best, it was good to drink. On the second day, as expected, it showed much worse. The cork was saturated about 1/3 of the way up. Cola, root beer with dried red fruit. Buffeted by good acidity. Good fruity complexity. Could be a 91-93 if bottle was in better condition. Unknown how much heat damage affected the score.

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• 2006 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Anise, herbs and cola on nose. Good concentration but not over the top. Nice blend of darker berries and dark chocolate. Juicy finish with a nip of heat on the finish.

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• 1999 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 85 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Showing its age. Cedar mocha and pepper on the nose. Flat, with gaps in the mid-palate with thinner red fruit. Good everyday cab that is passed its better days.

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• 2005 Lillian Winery Syrah Blue Label 94 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  I'm not sure this is very different than the regular label but it is a very good wine. Herbs, mint, wood and milk chocolate on the nose. Dense and concentrated on the palate, but very well balanced. Saline and dark fruit with fine tannins. Very long finish. Should age very well.

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• 2005 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 92 Points

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

  Still young but I'm not sure I agree that it is "too" young. It is drinking well and will age for a good long time. Pine, menthol and forest floor dominate the nose. Red fruit and licorice on the very refined and balanced palate. Good tannic structure. Looking forward to see how this develops.

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