Chez Winefool
Tasted Friday, May 19, 2017 by Nanda with 347 views
A fun night digging into two very good and educational flights shared generously from Chris' cellar.
An interesting exercise. Wines were shared to be in three pairs, with each pair being roughly five years apart. We were asked to identify the pairs. I failed to identify the pairs, but at least was able to identify the three "young" vs. the three "old" wines. The real surprise of this flight was the Kistler ... I'm totally impressed with how they showed, in particular the 03 which has aged quite well. The 2005 Dauvissat certainly suffered in the context of the bigger wines.
Another fun exercise. We were told that all eight wines were in theme, with two ringers. Most of the group correctly guessed it was a horizontal (though I incorrectly guessed a vertical). Quite clearly Pinot and Burgundy. The hardness of the Faiveleys was deceptive as the entire group guessed the horizontal was younger than 2001 -- with guesses including 2005, 2008 and 2010. This flight confirms the well known principle that Faiveley (from the older winemaking style) needs decades to mature, even in lighter vintages like 2001. Great line up and highly informative.
2000 Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Flawed
France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
Served blind. Light golden color. Oxidative nose -- tired orchard fruit and advanced oxidized notes. The palate follows suit -- flat, tired with oxidized fruit. 80-82 point showing, but let's call it flawed. My #6, Group #6.
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2007 Kistler Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard 94 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Served blind. Light golden color. Gorgeous, full nose with ripe apple and pear fruit, mint notes and some oak spice. Delicious on the palate with richer texture but sufficient acidic cut. More mint notes and some mineral complementing the rich fruit. I was correct in picking this as one of the younger wines in the flight, but thought it was white burg (Ramonet given the mint notes). My #1, Group #4.
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2005 Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
Served blind. Pale gold in color. Medium nose is understated in the line-up -- melons, lighter orchard fruit and lemon zest. After the reveal, I was clearly getting seashells on the nose too, but who knows if that's just a psychological effect. The palate is lean and a tad astringent with lots of acid relative to the lighter fruit profile. Picked this out as one of the younger wines, but missed Chablis -- though it was screaming Chablis, in hindsight. I under-ranked this. My #5, Groups #3.
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2004 Aubert Chardonnay Reuling Vineyard 88 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Served blind. Medium gold color. The nose shows some age with bruised orchard fruit and with time in the glass some interesting lavender notes emerge. Rich and even waxy on the palate. The fruit here is sweet and the acid is fading, so the overall effect is of a wine on the back nine. My note reads a bit harsh as this is a good Chardonnay, but past peak. Easily identified as one of the older wines and new world. My #4, Groups #5.
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2009 Aubert Chardonnay Reuling Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Served blind. Pale gold and slightly cloudy. Love the nose here -- rich and opulent orchard fruit with a big oak spice kick. The palate follows suit with opulent, riper styled fruit and some well-integrated barrel spice. Good fresh acids that provide lift and length. Excellent wine in the style. Easily identified as one of the younger wines and readily pegged as new world (and Aubert). My #3, Group #1.
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2003 Kistler Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Served blind. Light-to-medium gold. Full nose has mature, but still rich orchard fruit and spice. On the palate this is delicious with mature orchard fruits, some mineral, spice and fresh cut herb accents. Fresh and bright acids provide balance. Identified this as one of the older wines. Drinking wonderfully, and should hold. My #2, Group #2.
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