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Dinner in Zurich with CVA and Andrew - Moevenpick 20/20
Tasted October 21, 2014 by walkerjfw with 503 views
Flight 1 (1 note)
White
2013 Les Fils de Charles Favre Petite Arvine Hurlevent
90 points
With CVA and Andrew in Zurich, CVA knew this local Swiss wine. While I am suspect of Swiss wine in general, this one was interesting. Would have picked it for a Viognier if tasted blind. Fragrant, apple, poached pears, mineral. Grown at elevation in western CHF.
Flight 2 (4 notes)
Red
1990 Dominus Estate
98 points
In Zurich with CVA and Andrew,part of a pretty impressive lineup... drank next to a 1970 LaTour, 1971 Penfolds Grange, 1997 Pahlmeyer.
Really outstanding, a short splash decant, drank over two hours. It was ready almost right out of the bottle, improved and fully opened at 20 minutes. Spectacular wine, if you had blind you would have picked this as a St Emillion. Nose of barnyard, pencil shavings, cedar, red fruit. Palate repeats with plums, dusted cherry, mushroom. Elegant and smooth, this is fully mature and held up against stiff competition. This has aged beautifully, should drink at this level for the next 3 -5 years, wont improve any more from here.
My European friends who tend to not like California wines as much, were quite impressed. Aged Dominus is a world class wine...this bottle was really special
Really outstanding, a short splash decant, drank over two hours. It was ready almost right out of the bottle, improved and fully opened at 20 minutes. Spectacular wine, if you had blind you would have picked this as a St Emillion. Nose of barnyard, pencil shavings, cedar, red fruit. Palate repeats with plums, dusted cherry, mushroom. Elegant and smooth, this is fully mature and held up against stiff competition. This has aged beautifully, should drink at this level for the next 3 -5 years, wont improve any more from here.
My European friends who tend to not like California wines as much, were quite impressed. Aged Dominus is a world class wine...this bottle was really special
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Red
1997 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red
97 points
In Zurich with CVA and Andrew, I brought this as one of my contributions to the evening. Drank alongside a 1970 LaTour, 1971 Grange, 1990 Dominus
Splash decanted for 20 minutes, drank over two hours. Bright, deep ruby red color, still youthful and vibrant, no bricking. Nose was big right out of the bottle and continued to evolve. Nose of dark fruits, oak, toast. Palate of black fruits, dark cherry, licorice There is a "sweetness" in the mid palate that's unique. Layered and long finish
This is a voluptuous wine, impressing my dinner companions who are often quick to dismiss California wines...even against the Grange they kept coming back to it. This was in contention for WOTN against some big competition
A gorgeous wine that is right in its zone - could go 10+ years from here
Splash decanted for 20 minutes, drank over two hours. Bright, deep ruby red color, still youthful and vibrant, no bricking. Nose was big right out of the bottle and continued to evolve. Nose of dark fruits, oak, toast. Palate of black fruits, dark cherry, licorice There is a "sweetness" in the mid palate that's unique. Layered and long finish
This is a voluptuous wine, impressing my dinner companions who are often quick to dismiss California wines...even against the Grange they kept coming back to it. This was in contention for WOTN against some big competition
A gorgeous wine that is right in its zone - could go 10+ years from here
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Red
1970 Château Latour Grand Vin
96 points
In Zurich with CVA and Andrew. CVA was very generous to share this -- drank this next to a 1990 Dominus, 1971 Grange and 1997 Pahlmeyer.
Decanted over 30 minutes, drank over 2 hours. Well stored, near perfect cork on this bottle. Nose wasn't giving much out of the bottle, really benefited from the air. Color is still dense red, some cloudiness and discoloration at the rim. Nose is classic Bordeaux, dark berry, herbs, pencil shavings, tobacco, cedar, truffles. Palate of black currant, dark fruits, plums, cassis. As expected, elegant and layered (medium) finish
Fully mature, still has a strong backbone, seems like it will go at this level for several more years. Really special wine, classic old school Bordeaux
Decanted over 30 minutes, drank over 2 hours. Well stored, near perfect cork on this bottle. Nose wasn't giving much out of the bottle, really benefited from the air. Color is still dense red, some cloudiness and discoloration at the rim. Nose is classic Bordeaux, dark berry, herbs, pencil shavings, tobacco, cedar, truffles. Palate of black currant, dark fruits, plums, cassis. As expected, elegant and layered (medium) finish
Fully mature, still has a strong backbone, seems like it will go at this level for several more years. Really special wine, classic old school Bordeaux
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Red
1971 Penfolds Grange
95 points
In Zurich with CVA and Andrew, drank this next to a 1970 LaTour, 1990 Dominus, 1997 Pahlmeyer. Our friend Andrew was very generous to bring and share this wine. He has excellent sources, impeccable provenance on this bottle. Did have a crumbled cork, not sure it mattered
Decanted for about 30 minutes, drank over two hours, A medium purple/velvet color, cloudy and somewhat opaque - some sediment. Some orange at the rim.
Nose really opened after the decant. Black and red fruits, dusted cherry and strawberry, leather, coffee. Rich and fruit forward, in the Grange style, this is a very full bodied wine with layers of flavors. Blueberry, cherry, earth, white pepper and oak. Long finish - especially for the age on this wine.
Oldest Grange I have had so no real comparison. Very nice, seems like its starting to dry out a bit. Would suggest 97 Pahlmeyer was the wine of the evening...
Decanted for about 30 minutes, drank over two hours, A medium purple/velvet color, cloudy and somewhat opaque - some sediment. Some orange at the rim.
Nose really opened after the decant. Black and red fruits, dusted cherry and strawberry, leather, coffee. Rich and fruit forward, in the Grange style, this is a very full bodied wine with layers of flavors. Blueberry, cherry, earth, white pepper and oak. Long finish - especially for the age on this wine.
Oldest Grange I have had so no real comparison. Very nice, seems like its starting to dry out a bit. Would suggest 97 Pahlmeyer was the wine of the evening...