Wine Spectator Offline, San Diego

Nine winos showed up for this lively event organized by JulieD. The food was simple: salads and antipasti, pizza, and desserts, which worked well and kept the focus on the wines. Point scores are my own; overall rankings are by group vote.

I thought the French wine tasted like Napa, and vice versa. Both were delicious with mozzarella wrapped with prosciutto and basil.

• 2001 Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne 94 Points

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

  This was more Napa-like than many Napa chardonnays, in a good way. Voluptuous pear, lemon oil, smoky buttery oak in the New World style, but with a most welcome mineral acidity providing backbone and definition. Neither flabby nor lean, this offers great balance and precision. Thanks to Phil for providing our FIRST PLACE wine of the night.

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• 2007 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay Estate 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Old World style, and darned if it doesn't beat some of the white Burgs at their own game. Less oaky and buttery than the Louis Latour tasted previously. Crisp mineral acidity, fresher and lighter than the Grand Cru.

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Some were decanted; some weren't. The Dunn wasn't, but showed well nonetheless. The BV was allowed to breathe in bottle for 30 minutes, then decanted and served. It showed like it had been breathing in bottle for 40 years.

• 1998 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  Deep dark garnet hue. Generous bouquet of sweet creme de cassis, licorice, fennel, extinguished campfire. Full-bodied, assertive, youthful with many years of peak drinking ahead. THIRD PLACE overall.

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• 1999 Castelgiocondo (Marchesi de' Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Clear medium garnet-ruby. Wonderful bouquet of cherries, leather, cedar, roses, lavender, and mint. Later, some bitter anise seed became noticeable. Medium body, mellow, balanced, with medicinal finish.

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• 2000 Moccagatta Barbaresco Basarin 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Medium ruby-garnet. Notes of tart cherries, roses, tar. Leathery mouthfeel with anise seed finish. My #3.

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• 2004 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm 96 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Inky, dark, vibrant purple-garnet. Gorgeous, flamboyant bouquet of blackberries, boysenberries, black pepper, exotic spices, incense, barbeque. Just bursting with aroma and flavor. Rich, full-bodied, seamless, long finish. Fresh and pure with no sense of jamminess or sur-maturite. My #1 and group's SECOND PLACE overall.

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• 1968 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve Flawed

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Upper shoulder fill. Loose, depressed, shrunken cork, fully saturated, deftly removed intact by SD-Wineaux. Not surprisingly, this was maderized, but somewhat enjoyable, if you like madeira. Still, it was quite dark in color, and had some notes of candied cranberry hanging in there. I would buy another bottle if provenance, fill level and cork condition are all encouraging.

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Racer117 generously provided three 1985 ports, a 750 ml and two 375 ml. They paired well with chocolate cake and the obligatory tiramisu.

• 1985 Dow Porto Vintage 90 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Clear light-medium ruby. Bright fresh cherry cordial, rhubarb, watermelon, brandy. A bit hot and harsh on first day, getting progressively smoother and mellower by the second and third day, with no loss of freshness. A reminder that with port, there is no rush to finish the bottle once open. This warrants a re-visit in 5 or 10 years.

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• 1985 Graham Porto Vintage 93 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  375 ml. Clear light ruby. Generous smooth, mellow sweet red fruit, more harmonious than the Dow. My #2 overall; group's favorite of three 1985 ports.

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• 1985 Smith Woodhouse Porto Vintage 90 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  375 ml. Clear light ruby. Mild sweet red fruit, less robust than Graham, but also with notes of milk chocolate and hazelnut paste. Would pair well with a dessert utilizing those ingredients.

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Many thanks to JulieD for organizing!