TN: Mawby, Wyncroft, Servin, Pearmund, Pira, Dehlinger, Climens

Tasted Monday, May 3, 2010 by Loren Sonkin with 431 views

Introduction

Last night my wife and I were invited over to friends for dinner. It was a very nice evening of conversation, music, great food and good wine. We had a great time. I did not take notes, but wrote these up upon returning home. Some very interesting wines, most I had not had before.

Flight 1 (1 Note)

We started with a sparkler:

  • NV Mawby Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs 88 Points

    USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

    I think Mawby's sparkling wines are as good as any made domestically. Not sure when this was disgorged. Golden in color, lots of small bubbles. The nose has some strawberries with some baked pastry dough. Clean with a good backbone of acidity. On the palate, there are some scorched red berry flavors, if that makes sense, which I enjoyed quite a bit. Very nice way to start.

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Flight 2 (2 Notes)

A couple of interesting takes on Chardonnay:

  • 2004 Wyncroft Chardonnay Avonlea Vineyard 87 Points

    USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

    This was still drinking quite youthfully. It tastes as though it could have come from California, which is not a great thing for me. I just don't really like Cal Chards. The nose has plenty of oak, but also some grapefruit. Full bodied. On the palate, perhaps more time would allow the oak to integrate more. Its very well made, but just a style that I am less enamored with.

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  • 2005 Domaine Servin Chablis Les Pargues Première Cuvée 91 Points

    France, Burgundy, Chablis

    I really liked this one. It was crisp and hat a nice bite to it. Aromas of green apples. On the palate, this has a freshness to it that is very good. Somewhat complex. Crisp green apple flavors. Going back to it later in the night, it had warmed a bit. With perhaps a bit less of a bite, it was rounder. More fruit showing. Very nice wine.

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Flight 3 (3 Notes)

Some very good reds:

  • 2007 Pearmund Cellars Petit Verdot Toll Gate Vineyard 87 Points

    USA, Virginia, Northern Virginia, Fauquier County

    This is from Virginia. Inky purple in color. I liked the nose more than the palate, though they were both good. Aromas of dark chocolate, black raspberries, coffee grounds and plums. On the palate, there was a bitter streak running thru it that I didn't like as much. Lots of fruit but lacking complexity. Some tannins. Perhaps this just needs some age to flesh out. That said, it was very interesting to try a Petit Verdot from Virginia. I was told this is being done more often there now.

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  • 1999 Luigi Pira Barolo Margheria 92 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    This was decanted for about 2 hours before we drank it. Thin ruby red in color although looking a bit deeper than typical. The nose was very nice with cherries, roses, and tar. On the palate, this is young but certainly entering its mature phase. Worth checking in on. Layers of cherries, dried cherries, dried flowers and earthiness. Nice acidity. Long finish.

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  • 2002 Dehlinger Syrah 93 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Inky purple in color. The nose on this was great. Black raspberries, blue berries, grilled meats, bacon fat and white pepper. Full bodied with a velvety texture. On the palate, this is lush and full of layers of vibrant fruit. Not showing any age, this is in a great spot to start drinking although there were no tertiary characteristics. I don't think it improved much on the table but stayed strong all night. Another excellent wine from this winery. I had an 05 not too long ago which was just as strong or stronger.

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Flight 4 (1 Note)

A nice way to finish:

  • 1999 Château Climens 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

    Beautiful way to end the evening. Golden color. The nose was gorgeous. Honey and apricots with a hint of burnt sugar. Thick. The palate was good, but not as opulent as the nose. Honey and apricots, very soothing. Lacked a bit of cut perhaps, but a wonderful wine.

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