Old vs New World (Cabs, Pinots) at Cavaillon

Cavaillon Restaurant, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Tasted Sunday, August 2, 2009 by rstark with 558 views

Introduction

5 couples got together to try old world (Bordeaux, then Burgundy) up against new world (Cal Cab, Cal Pinot). No awards were given for WOTN, but everyone wanted their wine to shine. We meant to bring the '03 Marcassin Blue Slide but somehow ended up pulling the '02 instead. Oooops! Big difference.

Flight 1 (1 Note)

  • 1996 Salon Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 95 Points

    France, Champagne

    Oh man, that nose just tells you everything you need to know. Starts with apples, moves to light biscuit, finishes with creme brulee (well, essence of creme brulee). Long long finish and already perfectly integrated. I had this 3 days ago and still can't stop thinking about it!

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Flight 2 (2 Notes)

  • 1995 Château Cos d'Estournel 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    Double decanted 3 hours before tasting. Nice dark color, and the fruits were on the dark berry side. A little pencil lead and earth, but the fruit really shown. Soft, supple but a very full wine with a long finish. Surprise of the tasting ... it was much richer than many of the '95's. I think it is in a great place right now.

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  • 1991 Mount Veeder Winery Reserve

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    I have a whole new respect for the CT community. This wine was shot. Could tell the fruit had been nice, even recently, but it's All Over Now Baby Blue. CT community says drink by 2009.

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Flight 3 (2 Notes)

  • 1996 Domaine du Clos de Tart Clos de Tart 94 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de Tart Grand Cru

    Double-decanted 3 hours before tasting. Unlike others' notes, I did not find this tart. More like a light plum with a little dried rose petal. Long long finish. Perfect acidity and the structure was just lovely. Blew away the Marcassin.

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  • 2002 Marcassin Pinot Noir Blue-Slide Ridge Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Something very off-putting on nose. Thought it was damaged, but the 2nd bottle had exact same quality. On palate, the fruit was nice, and had a little wet-earth blended in. Big-time alcohol in finish. Not a well-integrated wine. Paired it with a creamy goat/sheep cheese and it really came around and the pedigree-fruit shown. W/out that pairing, it would have been an even lower score.

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Closing

For me, the '96 Clos de Tart was definitely WOTN, although the '95 Cos was certainly Surprise OTN. Three days later I'm still dreaming about that '96 Salon, though ...

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