SQN, Clerico, Hillside Select, Chave Hermitage, Rieussec

Tasted Sunday, July 17, 2011 by Loren Sonkin with 851 views

Introduction

Last night my wife and I met up with another friend and BBer to drink some wine at their lovely home. The idea was to drink some 100 point wine and see if we a) thought they were worthy, and b) commit to such a lofty score. The atmosphere was casual with some excellent food served up by Charlie and Alice. The wines were opened a few hours ahead of time and allowed to breather in the cellar. None were decanted.

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

With assorted cheeses, crackers and almonds:

  • 2004 Sine Qua Non The Rejuvenators 97 Points

    USA, California

    I have not been a fan of the SQN whites. My friend, Charlie, tells me that they need some age and need to be drunk at cellar temp. He opened this one and it was gorgeous. Deep golden in color. The nose is wonderful with honey, wax, warm peach pie and floral notes. Viscous and lush. Enough acidity to keep from being flabby. No bitterness. No sense of alcohol. Long finish. This was amazing.

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  • 2000 Domenico Clerico Barolo Percristina 93 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    This was apparently a WS100. I was curious to taste after reading AG's latest review (although this wine was not reviewed) of the 2000 vintage. This is a nice Barolo and not at peak yet. Starting to show some tertiary qualities. The nose has cherries, tar and some roses. On the palate, young with strong tannins, good cherry fruit. I don't think this has the stuffing of other vintages, but it is still an outstanding wine. I would hold for a few more years but I think AG's admonition about these being drunk earlier than other vintages applies to this as well.

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Flight 2 (3 Notes)

With Beet Salad, Cheese Ravioli with tomato sauce and bread:

  • 2001 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 97 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

    On any other evening, this may have seemed even better. We drank this one side by side with the 2002 and it just did not have the stuffing. Obviously very similar wines, but the nose was not as explosive. OTOH, the palate was more developed and unwound. Great cassis fruit. Charcoal and spice. I think this bottle was pretty much as good as it will get, but has a decade, at least, at this point. I have a bottle left in the cellar that I will hopefully drink in that time frame only on its own.

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  • 2002 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 100 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

    A wow wine for me for sure. The nose explodes from the glass. Cassis, cedar, some smoke, and spice. On the palate, this is young and vibrant but totally accessible. Lush. Great texture. Complex. Decades left to enjoy but this was not a waste to open right now. Everything I want in a Cal Cab.

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  • 2003 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 100 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    My first time trying one of these. I see the controversy. I loved it. Sure, it borders on a port-like Hermitage. But wow. The nose is amazing. Tremendous depth of black raspberries, plums, black cherries, floral qualities and black pepper. Lush and viscous. On the palate, this does have a slightly sweet finish, not sure if rs or just ripe, and there is a port like quality. It is so fresh and young at the same time though. This is a monster wine, but still light on its feet as it dances around.

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Flight 3 (1 Note)

With cheesecake and fresh blueberry sauce:

  • 2001 Château Rieussec 96 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    Opened late in the evening and probably needed more air. Light golden in color. A gorgeous nose of pineapple, honey and orange rind. Viscous. Delicious. Still not close to maturity.

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Closing

It was a beautiful night of conversation, food and friendship. Despite the pedigree and outstanding performance of the wines, the wines still took a back seat of those. And of course, that is as it should be.

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