Ornellaia Dinner

I was invited as a guest to a historic, long-standing Chicago 'burb tasting group. What a treat and an honor. Thanks, Ken!

• 2002 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cuvée Rare 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  Very good richness and depth with a breadth of berry and orchard fruit aromas and flavors. More noticeably advanced vs several bottles from a few years back, so this is best to drink up.

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• 2015 Paul Lato Chardonnay East of Eden Pisoni Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Lots of stone fruit well spiced with good richness. Fun in a very ripe manner, slightly missing brightness.

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• 2014 Paul Lato Chardonnay Belle de jour Duvarita Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Popped-and-poured, I found this difficult to fully appreciate. Some tropical fruit with floral elements, this seemed opulent but there was a nearly tart finish with a clear bitter note that seemed out of place.

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• 1996 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  Double blind in what turned out to be an Ornellaia vertical, which I correctly identified as an Italian Bordeaux blend. Seemed like mature left bank Bordeaux aromatically, but this was slightly lacking on the palate. Medium body, this seemed much older than its actual age.

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• 1999 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 89 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  Double blind in what turned out to be an Ornellaia vertical, which I correctly identified as an Italian Bordeaux blend. Big and extroverted nose and palate, this was big and tannic from start-to-finish. It's not clear to me if age will be this wine's friend.

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• 2003 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  Double blind in what turned out to be an Ornellaia vertical, which I correctly identified as an Italian Bordeaux blend. Also big, bold, and tannic, but this vintage was softer and tastier, even if I found the textures ever-so-slightly grainy.

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• 2006 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 96 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  Double blind in what turned out to be an Ornellaia vertical, which I correctly identified as an Italian Bordeaux blend. This was the clear star of the flight. Powerful and charming aromas with lots of spice and ripe black fruit. Long and intriguing finish kept getting better with more time in glass. My first time tasting this vintage.

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• 2006 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Sassicaia

  The single ringer in what turned out to be a double blind Ornellaia vertical, which I correctly identified as an Italian Bordeaux blend. Maybe it stood out too much or maybe this was an off bottle, but this was universally everybody tonight. Backward with little grace tonight.

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• 2008 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 94 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  Double blind in what turned out to be an Ornellaia vertical, which I correctly identified as an Italian Bordeaux blend. Rich and very concentrated from start-to-finish with lots of currant and cassis, supplemented with wonderful spice. Very good length. Upside from here.

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• 2010 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  Double blind in what turned out to be an Ornellaia vertical, which I correctly identified as an Italian Bordeaux blend. I think there was something wrong with this bottle. Restrained start with subdued aromas, then much too tart on the palate and nearly drying. This should be beautiful.

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• 2011 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  Double blind in what turned out to be an Ornellaia vertical, which I correctly identified as an Italian Bordeaux blend. Opulent aromatic start, well spiced, just some backward notes that followed through on palate with firm tannins. Lots here, perhaps 91 points tonight and 94 points a decade from now.

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• 2012 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Opulent but also layered and nicely complex. Nothing reticent here, but it is bright enough to retain balance. Still, I found it more of a wine "cocktail" that was better on its own vs when paired with food. I haven't tasted this wine in 4+ years and I liked it much more tonight vs before.

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• 2014 Domaine Darviot-Perrin Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Blanchots Dessus 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

  Very bright orchard fruit and citrus throughout with textures that are wonderfully bright and engaging. Very good now. Also better tonight vs when last tasted two years ago.

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• 1958 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Vini Pregiati

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  A little dirty to start, this almost cleaned up with air but there was never really much pleasure in this glass.

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• 1958 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Riserva 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Lingering red fruit in a vibrant package. Good depth, layered and maybe more interesting than really tasty, but sometimes that is fine.

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• 1982 Château Palmer 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Alongside the 1962. Aging gracefully with as much earth & mushroom as black fruit, this is another 1982 holding on nicely (enough) but with its best years in the past.

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• 1962 Château Palmer 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Alongside the 1982. Berry Brothers bottle. This had been opened ~5 hours earlier, but not decanted. Elegant and complex on all fronts, this showed enough mature black fruit, truffle, forest floor, braising spice, and so much more. Plenty of stuffing, plenty of enjoyment. A treat!

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• 1999 Château Palmer 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Served just after the 82 and 62, this was popped-and-poured. This always exceeds tasters' expectations and didn't disappoint tonight. Black current and cherry with chocolate and faint meat notes. Excellent balance and depth. So tasty right now.

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• 2019 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Petit Manseng Ornus Toscana IGT

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Here's a wonderful wine I've never had before from any vintage. (Only sold on property?) Wonderful perfumed start, rich stone fruit and some candied ginger, all while balanced. Demi-sec character.

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• 1962 Cossart Gordon & Co. Madeira Bual Flawed

  Portugal, Madeira

  Sadly a touch of VA and a bit too dirty.

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