Thanksgiving 2011

Tasted Wednesday, December 21, 2011 by pgb67 with 481 views

Introduction

Posting these notes a month late ... but I like to keep a record of these things.

Flight 1 - The Whites (and one starter red) (3 Notes)

  • 2009 Francine et Olivier Savary Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume 92 Points

    France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

    My first Savary and my first Fourchaume (which I believe Julia Child said was her favorite white wine). Great cut and purity with a textured and lacy mouthfeel and a balanced complexity capturing a classic Chablis freshness. Aromas of crushed stones and candied lemons with stones and white-fruited flavor on the mouth and just a hint of salinity.

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  • 2007 Domaine de l'Aigle a Deux Tetes Côtes du Jura Vieilles Vignes en Griffez 89 Points

    France, Jura, Côtes du Jura

    I was expecting this to be funky in some way (must be the rep of Jura, and consistent with what the guys at Weygandt told me), but the for most part, it came across as an acidic chablis - lemon zest and preserved lemons on the nose and palate, with a biting acidic finish that actually worked quite well with food and urged you to forge forward with that Thanksgiving meal.

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  • 2009 Georges Viorney Côte de Brouilly Vieilles Vignes 88 Points

    France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Côte de Brouilly

    Like many others, I've had great experiences with '09 beajolais, but this one was not a standout, although completely serviceable. Underripe strawberries on the nose and palate with a good earthy tannic structure and finish. Served pre-dinner.

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Flight 2 - The Reds (6 Notes)

  • 2009 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Got just a sip of it upon opening it, and otherwise, missed out on any longer appreciation at the dinner table because my companions drained the bottle - being the first bottle finished off in a mult-bottle lineup suggests that it was a big crowdpleaser. But, based on my sip, it seemed like a tradtional RRV WS - very fruit forward for WS, but much more polished and restrained than what you'll get from the typical RRV producer.

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  • 2009 Bedrock Wine Co. Old Vine Zinfandel 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

    Brambly and concentrated, with deep dark berry aromas and flavors. Not particularly long, and not as suave as a cab might be, but stood up very well to a variety of foods. Seemed like a good value too.

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  • 2003 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Bosconia 90 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Concentrated and savory, but bright and unexpectedly light-bodied. Has a singed, smoky fruit component that might be a function of the vintage.

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  • 2008 Carlisle Syrah Dry Creek Valley 93 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    My personal WOTN for Thanksgiving 2011, with the traditional Carlisle jamminess offset with nice lingering acidity. Blackberries and a hint of coffee on the nose, with a smooth, glycerine-like mouthfeel and flavors of blackberries and toasted oak.

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  • 2002 La Pousse d'Or Pommard 1er Cru Les Jarollières 88 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard 1er Cru

    Well built and in a fine drinking window, with plenty of life left, but nevetheless, not really my thing. Had distinct Pommard-like characteristics, with raspberry and a rustic sous bois component, but also had a lingering anise flavor that I found disconcerting, but which others at the table loved.

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  • 2006 Château Giscours 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    On the young side and not particularly complex at this point (and may never be), but nevertheless, showed some nice characterisitc Margaux flavors and aromas of cassis and tobacco. Not as balanced and acidic as other Giscours that I've enjoyed - maybe a touch flabby - but nevertheless a decent dinner companion.

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Flight 3 - The Back-up Plan (2 Notes)

  • 2006 W.H. Smith Pinot Noir Maritime 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Consolation prize that I pulled out after my W-S pinot was drained quickly at the Thanksgiving table. Showed stronger than I was expecting because some of the CT notes indicate an imbalanced, fizz issue with this bottling. To me, this strutted its maturity well by having a well-integrated and long attack of deep cherry flavor and soft, mature tannins.

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  • 2007 Domaine Lucien Lardy Fleurie Les Roches Vieilles Vignes 87 Points

    France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Fleurie

    Austere but interesting, with floral aromatics and an earthy palate showing forest floor and sour cherry. Opened at the end of the night when perhaps something more potent would have enticed tired palates better.

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