Lyon Holiday Open House

Where Else?
Tasted Saturday, December 30, 2023 by Grinner with 58 views

Introduction

Pop up gathering and tasting when we felt we were missing some "connection" this season. Reds were decanted for 2+ hours and everything was tasted out of Riedel Cab glasses (to avoid cleaning for days!).

Flight 1 - The Dry Whites (3 Notes)

Flight 2 - The Reds (9 Notes)

  • 2014 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir Windhill 93 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

    First of the reds tonight, this had layers of red berries/ cherries with earth and spice notes. Very smooth and long. Fully resolved, now-2026.

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  • 2014 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Archer's Edge 94 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

    A notch above the Elk Cove in terms of color, depth and texture. Black cherry liqueur, plum, cola and minerals. Now-2027.

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  • 2003 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape 93 Points

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

    This was a great old bottle! Last tried this 17 years ago! Here's that one:

    3/17/2006 rated 90 points: Purple to the rim and a grapey, primary nose with some underbrush notes that I ascribe to grenache (and I like it!). Good depth and more integrated than the basic '03 Paul Autard. Wait at least 6 mos. (4795 views)

    No surprise that it's the lightest wine of the night with a garnet bowl and a nearly clear meniscus. It's beautifully evolved with Kirsch, garrigue, underbrush, kelp and leather all sitting on a very nice structure. Well stored, this can go another 5 years if you like "old" wine/tertiary notes.

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  • 2007 Domaine La Millière Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 92 Points

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

    Denise's WOTN, it's in a great spot! It has a garnet rim and an open nose that is very savory (like the CSJ it was paired with). A bit of a rustic texture, there's black cherry, garrigue, iodine, and a little "sangre de toro"! Tannins are still holding, now-2027.

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  • 2017 Cayuse Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard 95 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    Youngest red of the night, and potentially polarizing because of the initial C-funk. Once past the barnyard, you get black plum, blackberry, earth/loam, granite, bacon and pepper. Texture is velvety and palate coating. Now-2030.

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  • 2013 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

    Now a mini-battle of 10 year old Mt Veeder Cabs! This one starts with some warm cassis and blackberry fruit, some espresso, then it runs into a earth and wet stone wall! Structure is nearly resolved. Now-2030.

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  • 2013 The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

    This was even more of a classic mountain Cab with stone competing right away with the really nice deep black fruits. Currants, spice and oak show up and play nicely. Should make 20 years old w/o a hitch.

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  • 2010 Clos de l'Oratoire 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    I liked this more than 2 years ago. Decanted for 2 hours and followed for 2 days. Ruby bowl and garnet rim seemed about right. This was all about plum, currants, espresso, earth, cigar, and spice. Deep and long! Now-2035.

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  • 2005 Château Rol Valentin 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    My WOTN! A 2 hour decant then followed for 2 days. This bottle punched with the heavyweights. Still ruby right to the rim and still tannic, like all these damn '05's! The core is being revealed: Creme de cassis, black cherry, graphite and stone, with a cedar note on the finish. If you have less than 3, wait: 2025-2040.

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Flight 3 - Dessert (2 Notes)

  • NV Lachini Pinot Noir 7-Year Tawny 92 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

    Ok this is a bit weird! but fun! A Sherry note hangs over the dried Bing cherries, caramelized nuts and toffee. Classic sweetness and decent acidity make it a conversation piece! Now-who knows!

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  • 2018 Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux 1ère Trie Clos du Bourg 94 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

    This was so amazing to have with the dry Chenin / Saumur tried earlier in this tasting. Can't be the same grape and the same valley! Over-ripe peach, Meyer lemon, and apricot jam with spice and minerals that just dance on the palate. Medium sweet and a zing of acid makes it fresh. Now-2030.

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Closing

So cool to have friends find a little time and share!

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