Community Tasting Note

I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine Likes this wine:

Friday, January 1, 2021 - Virtual New Years Eve Tasting with Open a Nice Bottle

The Lineup:
NV Champagne Le Mesnil Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut
2004 Union Champagne de Saint Gall Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Orpale BdB
2011 Domaine Drouhin Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres
2011 Leeuwin Estates Chardonnay Art Series
2013 Shea Pinot Noir Block 7 (mag)
1995 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Montelena Estates
1995 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron
2000 Chateau Baychevelle (mag)
2000 Chateau Malescot St Exupery
2003 Chateau Hosanna
2012 Cliff Lede Cabernet Stags Leap
2006 The Standish Wine Company "The Relic"
NV A. R. Lenoble Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Mag 14

Prep:
All whites and Champagnes were PnP into jars for transport around 6:30 p.m. for tasting beginning at 8:00 p.m. All reds received additional decant time ranging from 80 minutes to 100 minutes. Also, wines drank in the order listed, finishing with the last Champagne at Midnight (so extra time in jars).

Voting/Ranks:
We did not do a group voting or ranking, so unfortunately readers are stuck with my ranks. Here are my rankings (I ranked everything):
WOTN - Hands down for me was 1995 Chateau Montelena
#2 - 1995 Pichon-Longueville Baron
#3 - Domaine Drouhin Puigny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres
#4 (tie) - 2011 Leeuwin Estates Chardonnay Art Series
#4 (tie) - 2006 The Standish Wine Company "The Relic"
#6 (tie) - 2000 Ch. Malescot St Exupery
#6 (tie) - 2004 Union Champagne
#8 - 2012 Cliff Lede Cabernet
#9 (tie) - 2003 Hosanna
#9 (tie) - NV A.R. Lenoble Champagne Mag 14
#11 - 2000 Ch.Beychevelle
#12 - NV Champagne Le Mesnil
#13 - Shea Pinot Noir Block 7
Note: All wines were very good to excellent...my lowest score was 91 and highest score was 95+....for me, not a shabby lineup! Thanks to all who contributed, and special thanks to Kevin (Rocknroller) for putting this event together!

Wine Review:
2011 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series - This wine is always stellar, and my favorite Chardonnay producer from Australia. This wine was drinking quite well, with a nose of citrus, seashell and flint, and a palate of green apple, pear, sweet toasted oak and a touch of citrus. There was enough acidity to tell me this wine could be held for a few more years, although I am not sure if it will improve. I would recommend drinking sooner than later, but no rush. For me, an effortless 93+

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