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A great assortment from a generous friend
Columbus, OH
Tasted February 9, 2007 by psmith with 995 views
Introduction
A friend, who has a fractional ownership in an excellent Ohio-based wine distributorship, hosted this party for some employees and friends. Wines were chosen by the host, who also gave each guest the opportunity to pick just about anything from his pretty extensive cellar. Good conversation and atmosphere precluded more extensive notes, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few great wines, but I think the list is reasonably comprehensive. Really a great night of wines from a very generous host!
Flight 1 (18 notes)
White
1995 Domaine Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot
Really raw wine. Youthful citrus and mineral, but overwhelming acidity and structure. Lighter-bodied. Needs a lot of time.
White
2002 Château de Puligny-Montrachet Chevalier-Montrachet
Youthful, lots of citrus and mineral notes. Full and expansive on the palate. Fat for Chevalier.
Red
1995 Soldera (Az. Agr. Case Basse) Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Intistieti
Wonderful stuff. Exudes class with a floral, dark, and earthy nose - Burgundian and complex. Firmly tannic finish. Needs lots of time, but a stunningly good wine.
Red
1997 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto Toscana IGT
Far more Pomerol than Italian. Deliciously lush but really tobacco-laden and full of class and potential. Still very youthful. Very sensible wine. Stunning stuff.
Red
1989 Château Haut-Brion
Large-scaled and really young, pure, fruit-forward Bordeaux character. Intense but not overbearing or unbalanced. Absolutely delicious.
Red
1988 Château Latour Grand Vin
Well balanced, with a considerable green edge. Still quite tannic. Nice wine in need of considerable time.
Red
1999 Château Lafite Rothschild
Very lafite. Classy tobacco-scented nose, graphite and earth. Very young, medium bodied, but showing lots of potential.
Red
1982 Château Lynch-Bages
Classic earthy, cigar-box type scents. Still quite youthful, could easily pass for 10 years younger. Full-fruited and good balance throughout.
Red
1982 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
More elegant wine. Classic Bordeaux notes under a layer of fine tannins that dominate the finish. Still quite young, but lots of potential.
Red
1996 Château Valandraud
Tame relative to a number of young Garagiste wines, and doesn't come across as particularly modern. Dark fruit. Very enjoyable wine.
Red
1997 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select
Still very ripe and rich. Firmly but finely tannic. Modern-styling. Seamless and pure. Really tasty but no real distinguishing character.
Red
1993 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Classic styling. Rich dark Napa fruit and finely structured. Really maturing nicely.
Red
1997 Domaine Leroy Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts
Really ripe pinot fruit, but held really well in check for a 1997. Large-scaled, rich, but with a nice minerality. Good stuff.
Red
2000 Bernard Dugat-Py Charmes-Chambertin
Really shut down fruit. All oak-based spice at this point. Could easily pass of a Syrah-based wine. Has anyone ever had a mature Dugat-Py?
Red
1999 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis
Rich violet and dark fruit nose. Compact and tannic palate. Great elements, but needs time.
Red
1981 Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva
Stinky tar and leather notes. Definitely showing age, but in a nice place now. Good body. Nice wine.
White
2000 Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fumé Paradoxe
Unmistakably Sauvignon Blanc. Intense flavors, medium sweetness. Enjoyable.
White - Sweet/Dessert
1971 Château Climens
Considerably older than a bottle enjoyed a few months back. Oxidative cider notes but some charming fruit elements. Good, but hardly at the level of the best of these.