Bustawinos V6

The theme was Rhone varietals from the USA or France. Mikey and David were added to the group tonight. Mario brought 2 1980 Jaboulet's (a Cornas and a Hermitage) that were not served blind. The rest of the bottles were served up blind. The notes are a compilation of comments made by people at the table, some of the gems are preserved in their original format (i.e.; "a chalkboard eraser dropped in mud").

• 1980 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Cornas

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  Nose of plum, dry mint leaves, burnt meats (breakfast bacon), prunes, and a little bit of goodyear tire. On the palate it is still silky and coats the mouth, the dryness slightly out-weighs the fruit in the mouth. Nice finish. Certainly a bottle on the decline, but it showed very well none-the-less.

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• 1980 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  One of my two WOTN. The nose smacks you like a grade school chalkboard eraser to the face. Pure graphite and chalk. Still a very youthful and ruby color. Extremely well-balanced and integrated. The nose also shows some herbal / floral hints. Truly a fantastic wine. If it's on the decline it must have just started. I can see this wine lasting another few years. A real treat. Mario Sr's wine.

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• 1984 Barton & Guestier Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

  "Chalkboard eraser dropped in mud". Graphite, but covered in some of that funkiness, more reminiscent of a humidity or mugginess. Still showing some menthol / minty notes on the nose with some herbs peering out. The color was muddy and bricked. Past its prime, but still a very good wine and an excellent experience. Drink 'em if you have 'em. Mikey's wine.

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• 2007 Booker Vineyard Vertigo

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Decanted 5 hours. Huge flowery bouquet, a bit of heat on the nose, and a nice sharp peppery finish. Big ripe wine, not overly tannic, and a silky finish that goes on for a very long time. Rosy hue in the glass, not so much of that deep dark purple, the grenache certainly plays a role. Fantastic bottle of wine that should age extremely well. Gaby Sr's bottle.

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• 2007 Jaffurs Mourvèdre Thompson Vineyard

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  Nose of herbs, mint, "medicinal marijuana - not the street stuff", and some hints of cocoa, dark fruit, and dry leaves. Very elegant wine. "Oaky with blueberry gushers". Very well made wine that would benefit from some time. Very soft on the palate, but coating. Very good bottle of wine. Gaby Jr's.

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• 2004 Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Big big coffee nose, coffee grinds, a lot of barnyard, some chocolate, and a gym sock. On the palate the balance is excellent. Not overly tannic, silky, mouth-coating. It drinks like a wine with 10+ years on it. One of my all-time favorites. Fantastic wine. Jorge Jr's bottle.

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I couldn't find Jorge Sr's bottle on Cellartracker, which was a 2006 Jean Bouchard CdP. quick notes: "Sweeter, somewhat candied nose, a bit of sour apple or citrus / tangerine. peppery mouth, tannic, needs time. everyone was guessing 100% Cali Syrah for sure. Big wine, very well made, a real treat."

• 2001 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

  Very complex nose of cured meats, beef jerky, fresh grass, "fully loaded baked potato" with everything from the butter to the sour cream and chives. Very very lush on the palate, some touches of tobacco. Fantastic bottle of wine that should evolve extremely well over the next several years. Danny's wine. One of my favorites of the night.

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• 2007 La Bastide Saint-Dominique Côtes du Rhône

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  This one was tough to register because it was no. 9 of the night. Sort of an all-over-the-place wine. Extracted wine, jammy fruit with some subtle earth notes, very inky in color and feel. Had a nose of maple syrup without so much of the sweetness. Solid on the palate. I think it needs another year to settle down before it can really be quantified. David's wine.

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Fantastic night. I was surprised to see only 2 bottles from California made the line-up. The 1980 PJB Hermitage was my WOTN but the Rostaing and the Guigal were right up there for me too. The Rostaing is one of my absolute favorites, so i'm a bit partial. Mario Sr loved the Booker and made it a point to empty out the bottle in a nice full glass to enjoy along with his wedge of cheese and 8oz. dry sausage.

Fantastic night, the company was great, and the wines were stellar. Can't wait for number 7!