Halloween at the U Club

Let them drink claret! Thirty-four stories above chanting Occupy San Diego protestors, five of us enjoyed fine wines and bar food while watching the Chargers lose on a dozen flat panel televisions. The U Club boasts jaw-dropping views of San Diego, including bay and ocean, day and night.

• NV Geoffroy Champagne Premier Cru Brut 91 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Vigorous medium-sized bead. Generous aromas and flavors of yellow apple, lemon, fresh baguette, touch of matchstick and mushroom. Youthful, fresh and crisp. Outstanding.

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• 1997 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Clear dark blood-garnet hue. Typical profile of cherries and leather, with evolved notes of beef blood and tobacco. Medium body, medium finish. Very nice.

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• 1969 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Very top shoulder fill. Cork slightly depressed and slightly loose, removed in two large pieces. Cork was in much better condition than a 1968 BV opened four days prior. Allowed to breathe in bottle for 10 minutes, then decanted gently and served immediately. Clear medium blood-ruby-brick hue. Heavenly bouquet of figs, tart cranberries, red cherry, pomegranate, dry sauna, lavender, mint, rose petals, cashews. Hint of Christmas wreath. Medium body, silky, seamless, substantial yet weightless. Began maderizing in the glass after 40 minutes. As a tobacco non-user, I possess a normal complement of functioning taste buds and olfactory receptors, and so I get all the excitement I could ever want from these elegant, understated old wines. Let the tobacco smokers have their over-extracted fruit bombs. For me, this is about as good as it gets. The clear favorite of the night.

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• 2008 Orin Swift The Prisoner 81 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  15.2% alcohol. Inky garnet-fuschia. An unfocused mish-mash of who knows what. Stewed prunes, raisins, figs, rhubarb pie, oak, espresso. Last place by unanimous vote. But remember, a score of 80 means "Good."

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• 2007 Orin Swift Saldo 82 Points

  USA, California

  15.5% alcohol. Stewed prunes, jammy red plums, smoky oak. What was I thinking when I rated this a 92 last January? I don't remember any stewed quality at that time. Anyway, a score of 80 means "Good."

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Many thanks to JulieD the Cruise Director (her new moniker, replacing Brunella da Vil) for organizing two splendid gatherings in four days. Cheers everyone!