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Charity Dinner (Rhys, Corra, Clerc Milon +++)
Tasted September 29, 2012 by Loren Sonkin with 407 views
Introduction
A few months back I was at a benefit for United Disability Services of Akron. (http://www.udsakron.org/) One of the silent auction items was a dinner at a local club hosted by my friend Tom Futey. As part of the package I agreed to act as sommelier for the night. Tom provided the wines.
It was a fun evening and the item raised a nice amount for a very worthwhile charity. Plus, I got to meet some new friends and see some old ones as well.
Flight 1 (1 note)
Rosé - Sparkling
2005 Mumm Napa DVX Rosé
92 points
Salmon pink in color. The nose is really nice with some strawberries, light cherries, a bit of slightly burnt, fresh baked bread. Nice mouse with small/medium bubbles. On the palate, this has a nice acidity. Certainly good fruit, the red fruit dominate with strawberries and rhubarb. Refreshing. Smooth finish. One of the better Napa sparklers I have had.
Flight 2 (2 notes)
White
2009 Chester's Anvil Gretna Green Stagecoach Vineyard
91 points
Light golden in color. The nose has strong aromatics. A floral note, honeysuckle? Also some minerals and slight wax notes. Crisp and clean. Showing some complexity as it has shed some fruit, not all but developed some layering. Very nice.
White
2009 Kongsgaard Viorous
94 points
What a beautiful showing for this wine. It does have a fair amount of oak showing which may be problematic to some, but I thought, especially with food, it handled it. The nose has lifting aromatics as well. Floral notes, wax and vanilla. Full bodied. On the palate, this is round and robust. Citrus notes predominate, but there is an underlying earthy quality. Great finish. Kept developing in the glass.
Flight 3 (2 notes)
Red
2009 Kutch Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard
90 points
This is very tight. Not yet ready without some decanting. The nose shows cherries and some rhubarb. Medium bodied. On the palate, cherries, dark cherries, and some mineral/earthy notes. Great texture and mouth feel bode well, but this need a few years, at least, in the cellar.
Red
2007 Rhys Pinot Noir Family Farm Vineyard
95 points
Wow. A stunner. Almost everyone at the table stopped and commented on this. By far, the best Rhys I have had and a glimpse at what the experts are so excited about. I hope this bottle is representative. The nose is complex with some funk as cherries, macerated cherries, and a bit of a cherry blossom note too. On the palate, this is layered and complex. Soft to drink yet full of body and structure. Every sip seemed better. I am not sure I have had a better Pinot ever.
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Comment
Flight 4 (2 notes)
Red
2005 Château Clerc Milon
91 points
This was given a couple of hours in the decanter. Like many 05's, its just showing glimpses at what will come. Great body and texture. The nose shows some primary signs. Wonderful mouth-feel, but nothing distinguishable here, yet. Five more years, at least, until this is justified drinking.
Red
2006 Corra Cabernet Sauvignon
94 points
Very nice showing for this wine. Classic Napa Cab at this point. The nose has cassis, cedar, some alcohol, a bit of dark chocolate. Full bodied. Slick texture but supple as well. Layered with complexity but still youthful. Great fruit. Nice balance. Long finish. Pretty special.
Flight 5 (1 note)
We also had a 2009 SonkinCellars Persona at this point, but for obvious reasons, I am not posting my thoughts.
Red - Fortified
2000 Gould Campbell Porto Vintage
90 points
decanted for a couple of hours, it could have used a bit more. The nose shows black raspberries, milk chocolate and some kirsch. Full bodied. Slightly sweet (I expected a bit more). Nice balance although a bit rough/heat on the finish. very young still and a nice end to the meal.