HDH auction tasting at Tru

Chicago, IL
Tasted Friday, January 28, 2011 - Saturday, January 29, 2011 by acyso with 535 views

Flight 1 (3 Notes)

  • NV Pierre Péters Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Cuvée de Réserve 85 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    (1/28/2011)

    Light gold colour. Entrancing nose, with some aromas of flowers, pears, and stone fruits. On the palate, quite yeasty, with lots of bread and lee-sy notes. Liqueur-like, but also a somewhat disjointed alcohol taste. Finish has notes of licorice.

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  • 1991 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (1/28/2011)

    From a magnum. Signs of bricking. Glorious nose of aged cabernet. Intense. Notes of vanilla, cedar, cassis, lead pencil, a hint the herbaceousness of cabernet franc. Hint of iron and blood as well on the nose. On the palate, this is voluptuous, sexy, and lush, though this is slightly more herbaceous and smoky than the nose would suggest. Big vein of acidity. Extremely concentrated, though it seems to me slightly to be on the downward trend. Tannins are quite velvety. Finish doesn't quite have the same ring as the nose; it feels dilute. Served with a vanilla and mission fig tarte tatin.

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  • 1994 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (1/28/2011)

    From a magnum. A much brighter colour than the '91 Dominus that was poured before lunch. A more pungent and primary nose with blueberries and red fruits, and clearly much younger than the '91. On the palate, this is slightly bitter with notes of coffee, and again much more primary than its 3-year-older brother. Not much fruit, but instead a lot of earthiness. It's difficult to write an objective tasting note with the '91 sitting next to this. There are similar characteristics in the two wines though; a great vein of acidity but a finish that leaves one wanting. The one thing that I will appreciate here is that this is very Bordeaux-like, and doesn't have the overripe black and red fruits that plague Napa cabs. Tannins are well-rounded and lovely. Paired with "potato espresso" -- mashed potato with ground coffee beans with potato foam.

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Flight 2 (3 Notes)

  • 1998 Billecart-Salmon Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésimé 90 Points

    France, Champagne

    (1/29/2011)

    Light in colour. Lovely nose of apple, toasted almonds, and bread. There's also a slight hint of oxidation. Juicy and explosive. On the palate, a hefty amount of yeast, as well as notes of yellow fruits and apples again. Medium finish.

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  • 1994 Château Haut-Brion 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    (1/29/2011)

    From a magnum. Slight signs of bricking. Spicy and rusty nose. Some green and herbal aromas, as well as notes of black and red cherries. On the palate, the most obvious feature is its intense acidity, and this seems to lack the concentration that I've found in other Haut-Brions I've tasted. Some notes of tobacco, pepper, and cough syrup as well, though there is pleasant minerality there as well. Secondary characteristics seem to be missing, and the finish is lacking. Made in a cerebral style. Served with a marinated prune stuffed with foie gras.

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  • 1993 Château Haut-Brion 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    (1/29/2011)

    From a double magnum. Slight signs of bricking. Somewhat vegetal nose, showing its age a little bit. Green peppers, spice, and cherries as well on the bouquet. On the palate, again, this has lots of acid, some fleeting red fruit notes, and quite a bit of minerality as well. A little hot, and the tannins are slightly young (another few years, perhaps, though by then the fruit will likely have vanished). Reasonably concentrated, with a little bit of tannic grip remaining. The finish again falls flat, but this is certainly classically-styled claret. Served with a tea-smoked kampachi (a sort of white fish) and a red currant reduction, which, despite what you would think, works beautifully. A simply brilliant pairing. Who said you need red meat with red Bordeaux?

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