San Diego WineSpectator.com Offline, 4/1/2012

No, this is not an April Fools joke. This really happened. I have the personal breathalyzer printouts to prove it. As usual, overall rankings are by group vote; point scores are my own.

• 2005 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay The North Slope Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Clearly a cut above in terms of quality. Offering generous notes of cream, pear, lemon oil, and smoky buttery oak, with full body and no off notes. Typical of California chardonnays, this wine did not offer much in the way of terroir, minerality, or acidic structure. To find those qualities with any consistency, we must apparently still look to Burgundy.

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• 2004 Neal Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Dust 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Clear deep garnet. Initial bouquet of saddle soap and creosote was off-putting at first. It seems that many big Napa cabs with some age on them can show some up-front volatile acidity often described as shoe polish, saddle soap, creosote, balsamic, or the like. Sometimes it blows off eventually; sometimes it doesn't. Fortunately in this case, it did blow off, after an hour in the decanter and glass, to reveal a fresh, expansive bouquet of licorice, opulent black fruit, and grilled herbs. Rich and seamless on the palate, full bodied with long finish. Started out behind the 1998 Togni in my rankings, but easily surpassed it after an hour. Be sure to let this breathe for at least an hour. My #2 and group's SECOND PLACE.

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• 1983 Château Mouton Rothschild 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Base neck fill. Allowed to breathe in bottle for one hour, then decanted and served. Clear medium blood-garnet hue. Wonderful old Pauillac bouquet of cigar box, red currant paste, rhubarb, Asian spices, and earth, with a fresh edge of lavender. Silky and seamless on the palate, broad yet lightweight, with mouthwateringly tart red fruit. Appears to be on a long, gentle downslope. I first tasted this wine in 1997 and still remember the restrained black fruit and forest floor. How fascinating to see how it has evolved. FIRST PLACE by unanimous vote. Cheers to JulieD for this generous contribution.

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• 1998 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  Decanted and served. Deep dark garnet-purple. Fresh, clean bouquet of black currants, blackberries, and forest floor. Similar on the palate, rich and full-bodied with long finish. Seems very youthful still.

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• 2007 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Decanted and served. Clear medium garnet-purple. Notes of black currants, blackberries, earth and licorice. An easy-drinking crowd-pleaser. A strong entry-level wine from this winery, seeming to justify some of the hype for this vintage. Was that enough hyphens for one tasting note? Tied for THIRD PLACE.

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• 1979 Château Margaux Flawed

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Auction bottle with unknown provenance. Upper shoulder fill. Chestnut brown color. Completely maderized. C'est la vie.

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• 1996 Château Guiraud 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  375 ml. Golden honey/light amber hue. Delicious notes of apricot, orange marmalade, and spice. Decadent, very sweet but not cloying. My #3; tied for THIRD PLACE.

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Free corkage on Sundays makes Avenue 5 Restaurant an easy choice. The food and service were fine as usual. The duck confit risotto was a standout. Many thanks to JulieD the Cruise Director for putting this together!