Going Big at Dan's

Dan's House
Tasted Friday, December 1, 2017 by galewskj with 381 views

Introduction

Dan and Elise were the most gracious hosts I've ever met. They provided all the food in their marvelous house. Everyone brought amazing wines to this, especially Dan. We did not vote (to protect the innocent), but I believe the 1995 Chateau Margaux was everyone's favorite red.

Flight 1 (5 Notes)

  • NV Bernard Gaucher Champagne Brut 89 Points

    France, Champagne

    Nice elegance. Light, but somehow it has a lot of power. I enjoyed this.

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  • 2008 Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Champagne Special Club Millesimé de Collection 87 Points

    France, Champagne

    The nose is rich, oaky, and yeasty. The palate is NOT. It is sour and acidic. Many people liked this tonight. I liked the nose, but the palate is quite challenging for me.

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  • 2002 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut 88 Points

    France, Champagne

    Everyone seemed to love this champagne, except me. And I brought it. The nose has power and depth. The palate is lean, tight and high-toned. For my taste, this is not ready to drink. I've enjoyed NV Krug much more than this bottle. I was shocked to hear other people talk about how much they loved this. Style preference? Still, it doesn't suck.

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  • 2013 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    This is as delicious as every Rivers Marie Thieriot chardonnay has been. Very dependable, aside from the 2010's that didn't age. Maybe this chardonnay shouldn't age? I see no reason to age it. Regardless, a lovely tropical fruit, oaked and yet balanced Chardonnay that I wish I could have in larger quantity. But also, why is this vintage getting better scores on Cellartracker? To me, it's no different than the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 (yes), 2012.

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  • 2007 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard 89 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Drank a good-sized glass over about 1.5 hours, waiting for the oak to subside. Matchstick, sulphur, and oak, and oak, and oak, and OAK. A 2004 of this drank this year was not nearly as oaky. This has surpassed my threshold. It is still a well-made wine.

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Flight 2 (6 Notes)

  • 1995 Château Margaux 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    Decanted 1 hour. Classic Bordeaux nose of funk, decaying earth, cherry and leather. The palate remains a bit austere. This was Wine of the night with stiff competition.

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  • 2001 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Spottswoode Estate Vineyard 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Everything that CHABLIS28 said. This was the best Spottswoode that I have had, but other bottles have been younger. Apparently their style from 2002 and older agrees with me more.

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  • 2001 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    Decanted 2-3 hours. There is rich sweet pure fruit on the nose and palate. It is lush, ripe and intense. This is all about delicious fruit, offering oodles of it without being jammy or overly sweet. It is somewhat hedonistic, and lacks complexity. Thus I believe this wine is on the high side of exceptional, and doesn't reach the classic level. At this tasting, I preferred the 1995 Margaux, 2001 Spottswoode and 2001 Ridge Monte Bello.

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  • 2001 Ridge Monte Bello 94 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    I did not give this wine the attention it deserved. This was elegant and intense at the same time. I wish more producers in California would make this style. I need to seek this wine out.

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  • 2001 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Slow o'd a couple hours. From the start, very oaky and rich. Chocolate and casis. The palate is buttery with the oak. After 1 hour, the oak is front and center, pushing everything away. After 2+ hours, this is like drinking pickle juice. 91 based on 1st taste.

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  • 2005 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

    Decanted about 3 hours, it should have been decanted longer. Nonetheless, tons of fruit, liqueurish. High alcohol, almost fortified in nature. There is a lot of complexity here, it's just so big that the complexity is overshadowed.
    This is reminiscent of a young port. 93 points analytically, and yet I would prefer not to drink this style.

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Flight 3 (1 Note)

  • 2005 Château d'Yquem 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    This was a fantastic Yquem. Balance, elegance, spicy botrytis, ripe apricot, creme brulee. I loved it, and I'd like to drink more of it, especially 10+ years from now.

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