Important Update From the Founder
Read message >
Some GREAT wine swith friends (new and old)
Chris and Renee's Home
Tasted March 23, 2014 by Loren Sonkin with 449 views
Introduction
Last night our friends Renee and Chris invited us over to their home for dinner with their friends Vicki and Graham. Those four had originally met years ago when they all lived in Singapore. The four of them travelled their separate ways around the world and eventually hit the jackpot - landing in northeast Ohio! It was great to meet them, swap stories of wine, kids, and life! Vicki and Graham were kind enough to offer up an 86 Grange they had, and Chris took it from there as we all dug into our cellars. Vicki taught a cooking class with Renee in Singapore, so they developed the menu while Jane made dessert. It ended up working very well. A wonderful evening.
Flight 1 - Some Bubbly to start: (2 notes)
With:•Lamb Pizzettes and Vegetable Pizzettes (same middle eastern spices)
•Baked cheese and veggie bites
White - Sparkling
N.V. Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée
94 points
Light golden in color. The nose is very nice. No oxidized notes. The bottle had been purchased about a year ago. The nose has toasted bread, some red apple notes, a bit of smoke. Great acidity. Good mouth feel. On the palate, crisp with apple notes. Long finish. Really very special. Next to the older Dom P, however, it really did seem young.
1 person found this helpful
Comment
White - Sparkling
1980 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon
97 points
Wow, this was an amazing showing for this wine. I thought it was the 82, but late in the evening found out it was the 80. This bottle had apparently done its share of travelling around the world, and especially thru Asia. Its owner had bought it many years ago. It was very nice of them to open it this day. Deep golden/orange in color. The nose is fascinating with ginger, burnt sugar, burnt orange peel, "sherry" notes, pears, a slight medicinal note (not in a bad way), butter scotch and some citrus. Full bodied with a wonderful texture. Still has plenty of fizz if not what it had in its youth. The woman who brought it mentioned frizzante and I think that is accurate. Great mouth fell and texture. On the palate, ginger, burnt oranges, pears, and a nice tart acidity. Very nice balance. Long finish. I don't recall having this vintage ever before, but I suspect it is better now. This bottle was superb.
Flight 2 - White Rhone Ranger flight: (2 notes)
With: •Warm roasted butternut squash salad with warm cider vinaigrette
White
2006 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc
90 points
I believe Chris said this was from a recent library release. Light golden in color. The nose is very pretty. Aromas of pears, honeysuckle, and candle wax. On the palate, its nice, but the nose is better. Starting to fade and the finish is clipped. Not really drinking old, but lacking. Perhaps in a bit of a shut down phase or maybe just past peak. Don't get me wrong, it is still an outstanding wine right now with nice pears, layered complexity and oily texture. Nevertheless, I would let these breather a bit when opening and drink sooner than later.
White
2009 Donelan Vénus
91 points
Light golden in color. The nose is not as nice as the Tablas. Slight aromas of pears, citrus and honey. A bit of a floral note. On the palate, however, this is drinking better. Excellent texture. Lot of fruit, pears and apricots, with some honeyed notes. Long finish. Drinking well right now, not sure where it goes from here.
Flight 3 - Shiraz/Syrah (3 notes)
With: •Beef Carbonnard with Vegetables
•Vegetarian Cassoulet
•Creamy Parmesan Polenta
•Haricots Verts
Red
1986 Penfolds Grange
97 points
Wow. This is still drinking so young, it is quite amazing. Blind, I think I might guess 2002 or so. Purple in color, with the slightest bricking (or at least ruby) at the rim. The nose is very nice. Perfumed floral notes on pouring (after a quick decant) which fades to the background. Lots of raspberries, cassis, there is still a fair amount of oak with vanilla notes. Also some slight dill/bell pepper notes which really add to the complexity. This got better all night long. Silky tannins. On the palate, tightly layered complexity. It unwinds in the glass leaving a sinewy, muscular wine that is just gorgeous. Lots of dark cherries, raspberries, cassis which balances off the tobacco and spice on the palate. Another bottle which has travelled all over the world and yet, seems no worse for wear. It still had the Japanese sticker on the bottle from when it was purchased many years ago. Quite a treat again.
1 person found this helpful
Comment
Red
2001 Elderton Shiraz Single Vineyard Command
97 points
One might be tempted to dismiss this wine from the flight based on rep. That would be wrong. This easily held it own. Purple in color, looking like it was just released. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, a touch of espresso. Full bodied and juicy. On the palate, layers of complexity unwind in the glass. Great juicy texture. complex with black raspberries, vanilla, pepper all intertwined. Long finish. Drinking beautifully now with years left in it.
Red
2005 Sine Qua Non Syrah Atlantis Fe2O3~1a, b & c
99 points
I have had this wine half a dozen times at least and this was the best showing yet. Still not at peak but getting there. Probably has two decades of life at least in it. Loved this last night. It had been slow-oxed for 8 hours when we sat down and the last sip was the best for me. Purple in color. The nose is beautiful with black raspberries, dark cherries, blueberries, sandalwood, and some vanilla. Lush and wonderful texture. Juicy acidity. On the palate, this is ripe and jammy fruit, but so well balanced. It has a deft touch to it that is not cumbersome or heavy. Lots of layered complexities unwind in the glass. Just a gorgeous wine.
2 people found this helpful
Comment
Flight 4 - Dessert: (2 notes)
With: Apricot Crumb cake
Polenta cake
White - Fortified
N.V. Pride Mountain Vineyards Mistelle de Viognier
93 points
This was a very nice showing for this wine. Served at cellar temps which worked well for it. It is a viognier, with the fermentation stopped with the addition of a neutral spirit. Around 14% Alc. Pale silvery gold in color. The nose has a floral note which is very pretty. Also some apricots and pears. On the palate, this is slightly sweet. Very direct pears and apricots. Worked well with food. No sign of alcohol on the nose or palate. Very pretty wine. I would think this ages, but at the same time, it has a freshness about it, which I would think is better served drinking young.
White - Sweet/Dessert
1985 Château d'Yquem
92 points
Chris had bought this years ago, for his wife's birthday. It has travelled to Asia, Australia and back. I guess she finally reached 40, so he opened it. ;-) Orange-gold in color. The nose is very nice with oranges, apricots and burnt sugar notes. Medium bodied. On the palate, this is just barely sweet. Apparently there was little botrytis that year. It is still quite delicious with a finish that last forever. Perfectly balanced. This bottle is certainly no worse for wear and is drinking beautifully.
1 person found this helpful
Comment
Closing
Like the songs says, make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold!