Jen's birthday

• 1998 Marcassin Chardonnay Lorenzo Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Big, opulent, slightly smokey wine. Bright, waxy flavors - some honeyed more mature notes. Keep well in check. Some alcohol evident. Very nice.

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• 2003 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Not as big as I remember. Refined tropical fruits - exotic wine. Great delineation of flavors. Some alcohol. Subdued and clearly in need of time. Very good.

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Five courses:

Organic aged carnaroli risotto, spanish marcona almonds, local ishikura onion, iberico cheese
Scarlet runner bean ravioli, homemade smoked bacon, water buffalo ricotta cheese, watermelon radish salad
Drunken kumamoto oyster shots, farm cilantro, rice vinegar, miso, pasila de oaxaca creme fraiche
Sustainable kingfish, handmade pasta, halibut broth, fresh white alba truffles
Grilled custom raised organic chicken breast & confit leg, chanterelle mushrooms, yuzu kosho sauce

• NV Ruinart Champagne l'Exclusive de Ruinart

  France, Champagne

  Likely a bit corked, but this seemed to fade over time, most likely as the wine just gained in body in masked it a bit. Clean, crisp nose with chardonnay-heavy styling. Mineral and oyster shell type notes. Big palate - clearly some more mature components as there's a nice richness here. Enjoyable despite the likely taint.

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• 2005 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne

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

  Still full of sulfur - just needs lots of time.

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• 1998 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Elegant lines - cinnamon stick and dark blackberry fruits. Pretty, pure wine. Subdued. Very nice balance of components, and surprisingly well resolved. Very nice.

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• 1998 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Ermitage Cuvée Cathelin

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Far more intense and youthful than the regular '98 Chave, and definitely takes it up a notch. More spice, structure, weight, and just about everything else. Knockout nose. More wrapped up on the palate, but still very enjoyable with a clear ton of development left to show. Really good.

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• 1986 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Único

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  Raw, Rioja-like sour cherry and dark fruit notes. Surprisingly tame, elegant styling. Firm acidity; low-profile tannins. Very nice - very drinkable now but clearly capable of lasting a long time.

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• 1990 Château Margaux

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Big wine with lots of stuffing, but very raw right now. Dark fruits, tobacco. Clear Margaux elegance, despite the firm tannins that definitely need time to integrate. High-pitched. Very nice, but all potential at this stage.

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• 1995 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

  Really nice, classic Cabernet notes - cassis and mineral notes. Still youthful but gives a lot of enjoyment. Refreshingly tame. Very nice.

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Manjari chocolate "pot de creme", whipped coconut, togarashi pistachio brittle

• 1970 Graham Porto Vintage

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Reasonably ready to drink. Bright flavors, with less weight than expected. Ruby color. Medium-body. Carries its components well.

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• 1986 Château d'Yquem

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Not as big as I remember; rather, a refined, medium bodied d'Yquem. Bright tropical flavors. Firm and well structure. Youthful. Always a treat.

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• 2005 Alban Vineyards Viognier "Rotten Luck" TBA

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  This is terrible - like trying to drink honey. Vile stuff.

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Great meal, great wines!