Gourmet Dinner #5

A few members of the Chicago Wine Mafia got together for the 5th edition of our gourmet dinner at the LostVerse house. The theme for the dinner is picked by the host and this one was "romantic foods" since we held it on the weekend before Valentine's day. We started with some champagnes and appetizers. The main course included pepper crusted fillet with a port cherry reduction sauce. Lobster tail with a champagne vanilla sauce. Racy ratatouille in a zucchini shell and a tartiflette in a heart shaped ramekin. For dessert we had mini pineapple upside down cakes with a homemade carmel lime ice cream. Here are my notes on the wines:

• NV Henri Goutorbe Champagne Cuvée Prestige 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  Opened by LostVerse. First time I have had a Champagne from this producer. Rich with some yeasty notes. Medium bead. Showing a slight hint of sherry on the palate. 90-91 points.

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• NV Launois Pere et Fils Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Reservé Blanc des Blancs Brut 92 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Brought to gourmet dinner 5. A Grand Cru wine from the Le Mesnil Sur Oger region just down the road from Krug and Salon. 100% Chardonnay. This had 2 years in my cellar. Lower bead. Peanuts and creamy brûlée notes. Showed fine depth and secondary notes. Loaded with character. 92-93 points.

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• 2009 Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 89 Points

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

  Opened by LostVerse. Straw color. Pretty floral nose. Minerally with steel and peach notes. 89-90 points.

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• 2002 Eugen Müller Forster Kirchenstück Riesling Auslese 90 Points

  Germany, Pfalz

  Opened at gourmet dinner #5. 500ml bottle. Golden yellow color. Carmel aromas. Lush with an herbal quality. Creamy and silky texture. Medium sweetness. The acidity was a little low for me. I think others at the dinner liked this more than I did. 90 points.

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• 2004 Bouchard Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Grèves Vigne de L'Enfant Jesus 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru

  I brought this to gourmet dinner 5. From a 375ml bottle. Bouchard has owned this monopol vineyard since 1791 when it was confiscated from the Catholic church. The 4 hectare vineyard is on a steep, sandy slope. This is one of the top sites owned by Bouchard. Perfumed nose. Notes of vanilla and red berries. Softer than previous bottles with a velvety texture. Supple tannins. 93-94 points.

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• 2001 Lagier Meredith Syrah 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

  Opened by LostVerse. Pepper and earth. Deep red color. Notes of cocoa. Less tannins than in 2006. 90-91 points.

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• 2004 Musella Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva 91 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella

  2004 was an excellent vintage in the Veneto. This is a blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Oseleta. The vines range in age from 10 to 50 years old. The grapes lose 35% of their weight during the drying process. Brought to gourmet 5. Raisins, plum and blackberry notes. Semi sweet. An unctuous wine. 90-91 points.

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• 2002 Neal Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Chafen 86 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Oened by LostVerse. Not decanted. Dark purple. Like getting hit with a 2x4. Lots of oak and tannins even at 10 years old. Not much fruit showing. Tight. Not sure if this will ever come into balance. 86 points.

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• 2006 Kutch Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Opened by LostVerse. Dark red. New world style. Charcoal, cherry and red berry notes. 90 points.

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• 2003 Château Rieussec 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Opened by Anwar. Young wine. More botrytis than the Zind Jebsal SGN. Spice and tropical fruit. 91-92 points.

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• 2003 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal Sélection de Grains Nobles 96 Points

  France, Alsace

  Opened by Anwar. Better than the 2003 Rieussec. Exotic nose. Rich texture. 96 points.

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VM