Chicago Wine Flock..."Bordeaux and Cali Cab from Jordan"

Chez Whitehead - Northbrook IL
Tasted Sunday, December 10, 2017 by Burgundy Al with 445 views

Flight 1 - Blind Champagne to Start (2 Notes)

  • 1996 Jacquesson & Fils Champagne Extra Brut Sillery 89 Points

    France, Champagne

    Tasted double blind, other than knowing it is Champagne. Bready and yeasty, this was clearly older than the other Champagne, but also more focused on that toasty style. Good richness, but clearly maturing. Best to enjoy in the near-term.

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  • 2004 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut La Grande Dame 91 Points

    France, Champagne

    Tasted double blind, other than knowing it is Champagne. Apple and berry notes with a bright richness. Lots more weight and power, also showing both Chardonnay and Pinot fruit. Seemed on the young side. Very good length. I liked this more now vs when last tasted three years ago.

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Flight 2 - Double blind Whites (3 Notes)

  • 2009 J. Rochioli Chardonnay Estate Reserve 84 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Double blind in what turned out to be a Chardonnay flight. Well past its peak with a warm finish. Kept getting less intersting with more time in glass.

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  • 2009 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    Double blind in what turned out to be a Chardonnay flight. I thought this was easy to identify as New World Chardonnay, with very good rich peach and ripe apple throughout. Perhaps a trace on new oak still protruding, but otherwise well balanced and certainly showing very good concentration.

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  • 2012 Bouchard Père et Fils Corton-Charlemagne Domaine 93 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

    Double blind in what turned out to be a Chardonnay flight. I thought this was easy to identify as Burgundy, while others weren't as certain. Lean start seems very simple and restrained, particularly for 2012. Richer from middle forward with good spice and lots of weight. Expanding finish. Kept getting better with more time in glass.

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Flight 3 - Double Blind 1986 Bordeaux (3 Notes)

  • 1986 Château Léoville Las Cases 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    Tasted double blind in what turned out to be a 1986 Left Bank Bordeaux flight (all open 2 hours with a quick double decant). Spice hints with plenty of ripe fruit aromas. Black currant and cherry with liqueur hints and cigarbox. Excellent balance and persistence. So enjoyable. Clearly the class of the flight.

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  • 1986 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Flawed

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Tasted double blind in what turned out to be a 1986 Left Bank Bordeaux flight (all open 2 hours with a quick double decant). Everybody wondered at first if this was corked or just musty. Some even enjoyed it. I thought it was an 80-point wine, so was then certain it was corked when unveiled, given my experience with other great bottles of this wine.

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  • 1986 Château Gruaud Larose 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    Tasted double blind in what turned out to be a 1986 Left Bank Bordeaux flight (all open 2 hours with a quick double decant). Wonderful aromatic start. Dense black fruit with very firm tannic structure, resulting in a slightly rugged finish. Better nose vs palate accordingly.

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Flight 4 - Double Blind 1997 Cali Cab (3 Notes)

Flight 5 - Double Blind 1998 (3 Notes)

  • 1998 Château Troplong Mondot 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Tasted double blind in what turned out to be 1998 flight. Ripe black fruit with just enough spice. Moderate concentration and heft given the ripeness. Nicely balanced, Very good length. Good now, perhaps some limited upside.

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  • 1998 Tertre Rôteboeuf 88 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Tasted double blind in what turned out to be 1998 flight. Sweet and rich, a bit oaky. Seemingly very modern styled and manipulated in a poofy style for higher points near release. Similar to another bottle from earlier this year, probably from the same case.

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  • 1998 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon Flawed

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    Tasted double blind in what turned out to be 1998 flight. Terrible, almost completely fallen apart.

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Flight 6 - Something Sweet to Finish (2 Notes)

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