Houston we have a problem

A great night of great wines with Hollowine, Tantotinto, Jar1, pdhall, and a few others. WOTN without a doubt was the Silex. The biggest surprise was the blind taste of the Yarra Yerring Dry Red #1, I would have not pegged that as an Aussie. The older Cali Cabs and Bordeaux all showed very well.

• NV Pierre Péters Champagne Brut Rosé for Albane 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  Beautiful nose of ripe strawberry, brioche, lemon zest, hints of red flowers, hints of raspberry. On the palate, sweet red fruit, hint of cranberry, toast. Focused linear finish with razor acidity. Great stuff.

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• 2005 Didier Dagueneau Silex 94 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé

  Beautiful nose of herbs, grapefruit, lychee, lime zest with hints of gooseberry. On the palate, lychee, lime, herbs. Finishes with a nice saline quality. WOTN.

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• 1978 Château Léoville Barton 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Great nose of tobacco, cedar, bright red cherry, leather, tar. On the palate, bright cherry, tobacco, cassis, mineral. Nicely balanced on the finish, best bottle of the lot. Classic St Julien.

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• 1978 Château Palmer 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Great nose, dense black currant, graphite, plum, dried flowers, tar, tobacco. On the palate, black fruits, tobacco, cedar, spice. Long finish. This edged out the Leoville Barton by a nose and I think that this would actually improve slightly over time.

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• 1985 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Nose of cedar, red fruit, tobacco, menthol. On the palate, red currant, sour cherry, tobacco, cedar. Smooth balanced finish. Not as powerful as the last bottle but still an oustanding drink.

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• 1999 Yarra Yering Dry Red N°1 91 Points

  Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley

  Tasted blind. Nose of red and black fruits, with hints of bell pepper and tobacco. Palate of plum, black cherry, tobacco, mint, cedar, tobacco. Finishes with nice balance. Definitely not France. I thought it was a Bdx blend from Sonoma or Washington. Very surprised to see this as an Aussie.

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• 1994 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Great nose. Nose of sour cherry, hint of tobacco, cedar, cassis, hint of tobacco and menthol. On the palate, rich cassis, mint, cedar, bell pepper. Finishes with sturdy tannins and balanced acidity

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• 1996 Château Clerc Milon 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Nice nose of tobacco, cedar, dark fruit, plum, spice. On the palate, dark fruit, plum, spice, currant, cedar, cocoa dust. Finishes with a wall of tannin. Outstanding wine, I would like to see it again in 3-5 years.

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• 2004 Bodegas y Viñedos Alión Ribera del Duero

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  This showed like an awkward teenager in a group of very polished adults. I loved the great nose of dark fruits and tobacco but everything was walled off by tannins. This had great structure and lovely acidity. There is enough there to go a long time. Not scored but I can see this being a tremendous wine with some age.

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• 2004 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 92 Points

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

  Great nose of Rhone funk, with black and red fruit, smoked meats, kirsch. On the palate, kirsch, blackberry, smoked meat, sour cherry, spice. Finishes big and brawny. Great stuff.

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• 2007 Saint Cosme Châteauneuf-du-Pape 89 Points

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

  Nose of dark berries, funk, hints of red fruit and smoke. On the palate, blackberry, smoke, red cherry, smoked game. Finished with nice acidity. This was lost in a night of great wines.

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• 2000 Árvay János Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 92 Points

  Hungary, Tokaji

  Nice nose of honey, caramel, apricot, orange zest. On the palate, caramel, spiced orange zest, honey, peach. Need a little more acidic zing, but this was a very nice finish in a night of great wines.

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Thank you everyone for a great time.