Annual Wine Group Summer Event

This was the annual tasting group's summer picnic event. I was a tad bit late for this and really didn't get to sample many of the whites. My notes are pretty lean given the social format and pretty small pours with 25 people . I tried to get something down for the majority of wines I tried.

• 2008 Didier Dagueneau Blanc Fumé de Pouilly 92 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé

  Light gold color. Very crisp and refreshing, nice acid, grapefruit, citrus, lemon oil, dried seeds, minerals. Nice body, very clean and precise, Medium plus finish.

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• 1996 Domaine Dujac Charmes-Chambertin 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

  From Magnum, medium dark red color with moderate bricking, slightly cloudy. Gorgeous perfume of earth, leather, cherry, and florals. The palate has sour cherry, smoke, spice, medium body, Medium plus finish. Mature.

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• 2006 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Small pour. Very dark red/purple color. Primary, dense core of black fruit, blackberry, scorched earth, black cherry, oak, spicy, firm tannins. Tight. 92(+).

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• 1986 Château Rieussec 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Lovely mature wine, almost understated in a subtle way. Consistent with previous notes. Excellent.

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• 2007 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Ripe, primary, black fruits, lots of licorice and spice, dense and big, kirsch, a fair bit of heat on this today. Don't know if this was decanted or not. Impression 88pts., but seemed disjointed.

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• 2006 Miner Family The Oracle 88 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Small pour. No detailed notes. Seemed rather oaky and with grippy tannins.

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• 1998 Château Troplong Mondot 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Pretty similar to the last bottle I had. Very nice. Nice blueberry and dark cherry, pretty integrated now. 92+pts.

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• 2010 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Rosso di Montalcino 86 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino

  Rustic, dusty, tannic, cherry

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• 2006 Sine Qua Non Syrah Raven Series 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Just a small pour, but a lovely wine. Very big, but has grace and finesse. Scorched earth, black and blue fruits, graphite, pretty intense.

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• 2002 Alois Kracher Cuvée Beerenauslese 92 Points

  Austria, Burgenland, Neusiedlersee

  didn't take any notes on this, but it was quite bright and had very nice concentration and a long finish.

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• 1999 Château Lagrange (St. Julien) 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  From Magnum. I thought this was showing rather well. The nose was open and very nice. The palate was not quite as suave, but it was pretty well integrated with a nice finish.

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• 2000 Azelia Barolo San Rocco

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  I didn't think this was as good as the bottle from a year ago. Not sure if had a decant of not. It was a bit on the oaky side.

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• 2006 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Small pour. Consistent with the last note from 2 years ago. 91+pts .

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• 2005 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  Dark purple color. blackberry, blackberry liqueur, cassis, spice, scorched earth. The palate is full bodied, black fruits, tar, spice. Not as good as the last one, but very nice nonetheless.

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• 2004 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Very dark red color. Slow-O for 3 hours. Would have preferred to get this decanted, but didn't have the opportunity. The nose was nice showing herbs, lavender, cherry, fig, meat, and spice. The palate is medium-full with lots of glycerin, black cherry, meat, licorice, spices, fig, berry, dusty tannin and a bit of heat showing. 91+pts.

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Always a blast! Thanks to Craig for organizing as always and Steve and Jenny for hosting again.