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Annual Caroling & Chili Party
R&D's
Tasted December 9, 2023 by AllRed with 61 views
Introduction
The annual caroling event hosted by R&D- it’s the event that really gets us into the holiday spirit each year. The group grazes and sips on various hors d’oeuvres before heading to the piano to warm up the vocal chords prior to going caroling in the neighborhood. Those of us who are not gifted singers stay behind and mind the chili. A casual walk around tasting format, with many guests also contributing bottles.
Flight 1 (19 notes)
White - Sparkling
2002 Launois Pere et Fils Champagne Grand Cru Special Club Blanc de Blancs
87 points
Our last of the ‘02, a magnum, and upon opening it poured a light straw yellow color with a medium mousse. Apple and ripe pear elements in the bouquet with gingerbread and pear on the palate. A touch on the tart side upon opening, this improved a touch with air. Good, but not great, more than drinkable, and perhaps would have done better with food than on its own in the walk around tasting format tonight. 87+ pts.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Taittinger Champagne Brut Réserve / La Française
89 points
Magnum. Light color with a lingering mousse. Citrus, green apple, ginger and almond notes. Fine bead. Nice. (R&D)
White - Sparkling
N.V. Pierre Moncuit Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Pierre Moncuit-Delos Blanc de Blancs Brut
92 points
Abundant apple and chalk elements with a subtle toasted bread notes in the background. Fine bead. Flavors of apple and marzipan with a citrus-tinged finish. Excellent. (J&J)
White
2021 Knights Bridge Sauvignon Blanc Pont de Chevalier
91 points
Pale color. Lemon, dried apricot, straw and lemongrass notes. The acidity, while noticeable, is not as sharp as it can be in many sauv blancs and balances the fruit quite nicely. Citrus, melon and quince flavors. Excellent. (R&D)
White
2021 St. Supéry Sauvignon Blanc Dollarhide Estate
90 points
Melon and lemongrass qualities on the nose and palate. Balanced. (J&S)
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Comment
Rosé
2022 Lewis Cellars Syrah Vin Gris
90 points
Our first taste of the ‘22 vintage. Wild strawberry and white pepper notes. Good underlying acidity. Always a substantial rosé which rarely disappoints. (R&D)
Red
2008 WesMar Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
92 points
Our final bottle- a magnum- double decanted off its sediment an hour before the event began. Typical elegant, feminine Wesmar profile which I adore. Cherry, clove and potpourri notes with a subtle hint of earth in the background. Cherry and allspice linger on the finish. Showing beautifully in this format. 92-93 pts.
Red
2010 Les Pagodes de Cos
93 points
This was given a brief decant- about half an hour- before it was put in the lineup. Opens with a terrific earthy funk under black and red fruit tones. Medium tannins with flavors of red berry fruit, clay, forest floor and cigar box. Really blossomed over the course of the evening and amped up the fruit and tobacco nuances. Drinking surprisingly well for being so young and having just a brief decant. (J&S)
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Comments (1)
Red
2016 Château Faugères
Red fruit, earth and bouillon notes. The bouillon quality follows through on the palate and I found it a little distracting. Perhaps not a representative sample, though others appreciated this more than I. (R&D)
Red
2008 Ridge Lytton Springs
93 points
Magnum, double decanted off its sediment an hour before the event. Slight bricking. Mature red berry fruit, a touch plummy, with spice, white pepper and boysenberry tones. Picks up a subtle herbal element as it breathes. Balanced, with a nice finish. At peak in this format.
Red
2010 Ridge Zinfandel Lytton Estate
90 points
Youthful color with dark zin fruit and peppery spice on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied and balanced, finishing with good length. Always reliable and a crowd pleaser. (R&D)
Red
2012 Robert Biale Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard
89 points
Opens with an abundance of dark zin fruit, piking up a perfumed floral quality as it breathes. Red plum, pepper and something like pine sap as well- kind of a sweet, herbaceous resin sort of quality. (R&D)
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Red
2015 Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape
90 points
Light color. Currant, macerated red berry and garrigue notes. On the lighter side of medium-bodied, with soft tannin and acidity in support of red berry fruit. Hints of garrigue and spice in the finish. Picks up a slight medicinal quality as it sits. (R&D)
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Red
2015 James Joseph Cabernet Franc Reserve
88 points
Double decanted off its sediment an hour before the event. Initially quite reticent this took time to open up. Mixed red and black fruit with typical herbaceous franc overtones. Nice.
Red
2018 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon
85 points
Dark color. Grapey and ripe, bordering on syrupy. One taster remarked that it reminded him a bit of Caymus and I have to agree. Just not my style of cab. (R&D)
Red
2019 Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Mason's
90 points
Deep inky color. Notes of cassis, plum, vanilla and barrel spice. Full-bodied, with flavors of blue and black fruit, vanilla and toast. Big, but balanced, with plenty of fruit for the tannin and oak treatment. Plenty of upside here. (R&D)
Red
2004 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
Magnum, decanted off its sediment and put in the lineup. Starts out with an intriguing floral quality which gives way to dark plummy cabernet fruit. Hints of saddle leather and spice as well. Plum and leather on the palate. Fully resolved and ready to go. (R&R)
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White - Sweet/Dessert
2003 Château Raymond-Lafon
91 points
Golden yellow color with notes of marmalade and apricot syrup. Rich texture, with flavors of stone fruit and botrytis spice. Excellent. (R&D)
Red - Fortified
1991 Dow Porto Vintage
89 points
Light color with notes of cherry, white currant, plum, licorice and cedar. Dark plummy fruit on the palate with a lingering finish. Very nice. (R&D)