CT Texas IV - A Hill Country Treat

I feel sorry for whoever has to follow YoDaddyO. This event was one to remember for a lifetime. Not just for the wines but for the wonderful surroundings. The Friday night dinner at Hudson on the Bend was simply spectacular. However, none of that compared to the experience at the Castleman family ranch which was Hill Country opulence at its finest. I don't have words to describe the setting and our pictures will never do it justice.

Dinner was great wonderful appetizers that included rattlesnake-stuffed cremini mushrooms, duck diablo with a sweet chipotle dipping glaze, and breaded shrimp with an aioli that I wanted to chug. That was followed by a nice salad and I had the smoked duck shingled with diver scallops. WOTN was definitely the 03 mon Aieul for me with the 74 Mondavi and Flora Springs Triology right on its heels. The bar is set pretty high so far and there is a lot of weekend left.

• 1996 Champagne Fleury Champagne Brut Millésimé 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  (5/18/2012)

  First time with this producer. Great nose of brioche, nuts, pears, with hints of citrus. On the palate, super creamy with nice flavors of green apple, ripe pear, hazelnut, and meyer lemon. Balanced finish and oh so nice. Both champers were very charming.

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• 2002 Henriot Champagne Brut Millésimé Rosé 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  (5/18/2012)

  Super nose of fresh strawberry, raspberry, and cinnamon toast. On the palate nice red berries, citrus, toast, and hints of spice. Finishes very racy. Nice young champers and one to follow for a while. Great start.

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• 2005 Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Altenbourg Cuvée Laurence 92 Points

  France, Alsace

  (5/18/2012)

  I have definitely decided that well done Pinot Gris from Alsace is something I should collect more of. From magnum. This had a nice tropical nose with aromas of lychee, pineapple, grapefruit peel, and ginger. On the palate, lychee, pear, pineapple, grapefruit, honey, and mineral. Finishes long with nice balance.

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• 2008 Ramey Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  (5/18/2012)

  Wonderful nose with aromas of baked apple, grilled pineapple, cantalope, tangerine, lemon, and spice. On the palate, big and bold with pineapple, apple, figs, mineral, and spicy oak. Crisp finish, borderline alcohol, but this wine carries it very well.

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• 2010 Cold Heaven Viognier Le Bon Climat 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  (5/18/2012)

  Not quite up to previous bottles, but still a very pretty Viognier. Nose of honeysuckle, apricots, peach pit, citrus, mineral. On the palate gobs of fruit with peach, lychee, lemon zest, and hints of white pepper. Finishes with nice balance.

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• 2008 Schäfer-Fröhlich Bockenauer Felseneck Riesling Spätlese 91 Points

  Germany, Nahe

  (5/18/2012)

  Tasted from magnum. Nose of honeydew, pears, slate, and white flowers. On the palate, apple, pear, melon, mineral, with hints of lynchee. Crisp finish with a bit of spritz. Far too young to consume, but a treat nonetheless.

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• 1990 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia 93 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  (5/18/2012)

  Another white in wine geek paradise. Very nutty on the nose, yet not oxidized, aromas of mineral, sea air, and apricot. On the palate, very nutty again with flavors of pear, apricot, and a honeyed aspect that was very alluring. Reminds me a lot of a Musar blanc I had recently, which tells me that I need to let my Musar blanc sleep a long time.

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• 2003 Jean-Claude Boisset Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaut St. Jacques 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru

  (5/18/2012)

  No doubt that this is a Burgundy. Great nose of pie cherry, mushroom, forest floor, rhubarb, cranberry, spice. On the palate, rich and complex with bing cherry, cranberry, tea, mushroom, and spice. Tannic but well balanced finish. Of the three pinots on Friday, this was the one I enjoyed the most.

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• 2008 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Westside Road Neighbors 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  (5/18/2012)

  Nice typical RRV profile with black cherry, clove, black tea, and craberrry on the nose. On the palate red raspberry, pie cherry, clove, tea. Finishes with a bit of heat but otherwise very nice.

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• 2004 Thomas Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 92 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  (5/18/2012)

  Third of three pinots served with dinner. This is a very impressive effort with a nose of ripe bing cherry, rhubarb, cranberry, spice, mushroom, and tea. On the palate, very silky and refined with red raspberry, cherry, spice, tea. Finishes very long and clean. This is in a really good spot right and should hold there for a while.

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• 1995 Gaja Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  (5/18/2012)

  Nose of sour cherry, tar, a little bit of gaminess. On the palate, very stern with bright red fruits, sour cherry, tar, leather. Long finish with lots of acid and tannin. Very nice, could use some more time.

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• 2003 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul 94 Points

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

  (5/18/2012)

  From magnum, this was rocking. Great funky gamy nose with black and red fruit, sage, roasted meats, leather, anise, and black pepper. On the palate very refined and balanced with black raspberry, herbs, smoke, leather, anise, pepper, hints of kirsch. Finished with great structure and balance. For me, this was WOTN in some very serious company.

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• 2005 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul

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

  (5/18/2012)

  Shut down. Like every other 05 CdP I have had lately. Folks need to leave these alone for while.

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• 2005 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

  (5/18/2012)

  Shut down. Not rated. This has some serious raw material lurking in the background but does not show the opulence it did a year ago.

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• 2008 Mont Tauch Fitou Les Trois 91 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Fitou

  (5/18/2012)

  This was a good foil against the earlier CdPs. Very much like a CdP on the nose with red fruit, roast game, beef blood, leather, anise, sage. On the palate, rich red fruit, anise, pepper, olive, sage. Nice long finish.

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• 1974 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (5/18/2012)

  Consumed at CT Texas IV. This came after some bruising CdP's so it may have suffered a little. Great nose of red fruits, sage, mint, plum, cigar box, and hints of leather. On the palate smooth and silky with ripe currants, plum, mint, tobacco, cedar. Finishes with resolved but present tannins and great balanced. A great example of the brilliance that was Napa in the 70s and 80s. Drink over the next few years.

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• 1994 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (5/18/2012)

  Delightful nose of sour cherry, red plum, mint, red currant, tobacco. On the palate red currant, plum, mint, tobacco, cedar, hints of spice. Nice balanced finish.

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• 1995 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (5/18/2012)

  Compared to the 94, the 95 came off as much more complex with a nose of black currant, bell pepper, tobacco, sour cherry, and cedar. On the palate, black and red currants, black raspberry, bell pepper, tobacco, mint, and cedar. Long finish.

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• 1997 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (5/18/2012)

  Just starting to turn the corner. Nose of black currant, plums, tobacco, mint, sour cherry, cedar, mocha. On the palate, black currant, tobacco, mint, red cherry, vanilla, cedar. Nice finish. This will be better in a few years.

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• 1997 Flora Springs Trilogy 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (5/18/2012)

  This was the big suprise Friday. Great nose of black currant, leather, tobacco, sour cherry, bell pepper, mint. On the palate loads of black cherry, blackberry, tobacco, mint, and cedar. Finishes very long and a little funky. Great stuff.

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• 2006 BOND St. Eden 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (5/18/2012)

  After the older Cabs, this was a full out assault on the palate. Painfully young with nose of black currant, plums, black cherry, and whallop of spicy oak. On the palate, black currant, blackberry, plum, mocha, spice. Long tannic finish that walls off the wine. This has a very bright future. I would like to see it again in 10 years.

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• 1970 Château Suduiraut 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  (5/18/2012)

  Lots life left here, great nose of honey, pineapple, apricot, and orange zest. On the palate, rich, yet light and balanced, with apricot, honey, pineapple, orange marmalade and a nice spice component to balance it out.

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• NV Alvear Pedro Ximénez Montilla-Moriles Solera 1927 92 Points

  Spain, Andalucía, Montilla-Moriles

  (5/18/2012)

  Served with cigars. Great nose of molasses, caramel, raisins, dates, and dried figs. On the palate, thick and rich with flavors that repeat the nose. Long finish but needs more acidity. Still a good match for cigars.

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• 1997 Le Sillage de Malartic Blanc 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  (5/18/2012)

  Nose of lemongrass, chives, grapefruit, and lime zest. The palate falls short of the nose with it being dominated by herbs and very little fruit. Finishes soft.

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The wines were all served blind, which is a great equalizer as it removes label prejudice. The mix was mostly Bordeaux and California Cabs with an Italian sneaking in there. WOTF for me was the 85 Dominus with the 81 Margaux, 85 Mondavi, and 86 Meyney separated by mere whiskers. The consensus #1 for the group was the 85 Dominus with the 85 Mondavi edging out the 81 Margaux for 2nd.

• 1982 Hanzell Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  (5/19/2012)

  Number one in a great lineup of blind 80's wines. No doubt that this was a California cab, I thought it was an 87 Beringer (my only guess). Great nose of red currants, tobacco, hints of mint, leather. On the palate, bright red cherry, tobacco, leather, and mint. Very very nice. Most of the wines in this lineup were great with only minor differences separating the wines.

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• 1982 Pio Cesare Barbaresco 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  (5/19/2012)

  After the Hanzell cab, this seemed very tired. It has the signature nose of sour cherry, rose petals, and tar. On the palate, red cherry, hints of leather and spice. Shortish finish with completely resolved tannins. I would have liked a crack at this bottle five years ago.

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• 1982 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (5/19/2012)

  Like the Barbaresco before it, this has seen better days. However, like the Barbaresco it was still providing some pleasure with a nose of bright red fruits, tobacco, cedar, and a hint of mint. On the palate, bing cherry, cedar, tobacco. Good balance on the finish.

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• 1985 Dominus Estate 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (5/19/2012)

  Opened for two hours and re-corked. Great nose of black fruit,pencil shavings, tobacco, mint, smoke, and nice floral lift. On the palate, dense and powerful with black currant, plum, red cherries, tobacco, cedar, Finishes dry with quite a bit of tannic grip. Beautiful stuff. My #1, Group #1. This particular bottle could have gone on for many more years.

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• 1987 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  (5/19/2012)

  There were other tasters that thought this was slightly corked. I am not that sensitive to TCA, but I agree with their assessment. I thought this wine would blow away the field but instead, it tasted like a middle of the road cab. There were some muted aromas of black fruit,plum, and sage. The palate had the same muted profile. The finish was long and tannic, but missing that signaure. What is most noticeable is what is missing. I expected an strong signature of menthol from this. Not scored, can't mark as flawed because I did not catch it.

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• 1998 Clos René 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  (5/19/2012)

  My first thought was that this had a very young color for an 80's wine. On the nose, Merlot was front and center with black cherry, plum, cedar, earth, and mocha on the nose. On the plate earthy flavors of black cherry, plum, hints of tobacco, earth, and mocha. Decent finish. Even though it was the youngest wine by 10 years, it was outclassed by everything but #10.

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• 1981 Château Margaux 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  (5/19/2012)

  Opened for one hour. Nose of black fruit, tobacco, hints of smoke and game. On the palate, dense and powerful, with black and red currants, leather, smoke, tobacco, hints of cedar, touch of blueberry. Long balanced finish. Where were the florals I associate with this Chateau? My #2, Group #3. Drink or hold, glad to have another in the cellar.

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• 1984 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (5/19/2012)

  Nose of bright red cherry, mint, tobacco, leather, plum, bell pepper and a touch of VA, but not enough to affect anything. On the palate, red cherries and currants, tobacco, leather, plum, and touch of cedar. Finishes very nice. When revealed, I realized that I had actually consumed a Dunn that I would consider ready to drink.

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• 1985 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (5/19/2012)

  Opened for one hour. Classic cab nose of tobacco, mint, red currants, graphite, sour cherry. On the palate, red currant, mint, tobacco, sour cherry, leather. Long finish with great balance and grip. Simply awesome, just behind the Margaux for me. My #3, Group #2. Drink them if you have them. Glad to have one more of these.

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• 1981 Château Lalande Flawed

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  (5/19/2012)

  The infamous #10 in the lineup. This was the wine that had everybody talking.....about how bad it was. Definitely over the hill, nothing there providing any pleasure other than the looks of disgust on everyone's face.

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• 1986 Château Gruaud Larose 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  (5/19/2012)

  Tasted double blind. This was a Bordeaux, no doubt about that. Nose of black fruits, cedar, pipe tobacco, earth, and a hint of sour cherry. On the palate, dense and powerful, with black currant, cherry, red currant, tobacco, earth, and signature cedar. Long finish. Youthful, very classy stuff, just a notch below the top three.

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• 1988 Château Rausan-Ségla 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  (5/19/2012)

  Noticeable bricking in the color. Nose of black fruits, smoke, cherries, ash, pencil lead, earth. On the palate, blackberry, red currant, cedar, earth. Finishes with gritty tannins. If you have this drink it, definitely ready to start drying out.

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• 1986 Château Meyney 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

  (5/19/2012)

  # 13 and the last wine. If we would have a fourth place vote, this would have been mine. Lots to love here with a nose of black fruit, pencial shavings, tobacco, and nice funk that screams Bordeaux. On the palate, black currants, blackberry, plum, cedar, pipe tobacco, and earth. Finishes long and strong.

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With great generosity, the YoDaddyO family opened their ranch to the group. It was a beautiful setting and everything you would expect in a Hill Country ranch with deer and turkeys roaming in plain site. The opulence of the ranch and its furnishings was only surpassed by the natural beauty of Barton Creek. Dinner was amazing with the steak tartare crostini standing out as the starter. The first course was Chilean Sea Bass on Lobster Risotto, followed by a salad with smoked duck for the 2nd course. The third course as a Prosciutto wrapped Rabbit Tenderloin with a Marsala sauce, followed by Weygau tenderloin with anejo tequla peppercorn sauce. The dessert was a chocolate Tres Leches cake. The catering crew from Verdes did a fantastic job and I don't know how so much high quality food was served for so little money.

• 2001 Ferrando Carema Black Label (Etichetta Nera) 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Carema

  (5/19/2012)

  Tasted on the bus ride to the ranch. Great nose of sour cherry, tar, rose petals, tobacco, and spice. On the palate, dominated by sour cherry, leather, and tobacco. Finishes with high acidity and sturdy tannins. Great experience, would like to see this one again in a few years.

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• 2009 J. Rochioli Chardonnay Russian River Valley 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  (5/19/2012)

  Tasted on the bus over to the ranch. Nose of pineapple, baked apples, and lemon curd. Full and rich on palate with red apple, pineapple, meyer lemon, and nice buttery flavor that integrates very well. A little oaky on the finish but althought a pretty good package.

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• 2007 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Noirs Brut 92 Points

  USA, California, North Coast

  (5/19/2012)

  Starter at the ranch and HECK YEAH. Beautiful full nose of strawberry, citrus, and toast. Full and creamy on the palate with strawberry, lemon, toast, and pineapple. Laser finish. Must find some of this.

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• 2005 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Cuvée Laurence 93 Points

  France, Alsace

  (5/19/2012)

  My first real time where I "get" Gewurztraminer. Great nose of lychee, ripe pear, spice, and some floral element that I can't place. On the palate rich and fruity, so much so that it seems sweet with lychee, pears, and spice. After that big fruit comes a bone dry finish. Really really good wine and a tremendous pairing with the sea bass. Yet another quest begins.

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• 1996 Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux 1ère Trie Clos du Bourg 92 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

  (5/19/2012)

  Along with Spanish wines, this is a realy geek's wine. Great nutty nose with hazelnut, peach pit, apples, nectarine. In the palate, rich and full with flavors of toffee, caramel, and pineapple. Nice finish. Interesting stuff.

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• 2009 Kongsgaard Chardonnay The Judge 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (5/19/2012)

  I got the pleasure of catching this later in the evening as well as at the beginning. After being open for three hours, this was signing with a nose of sea air, lemon zest, oyster shell, apples, a floral note, and pear. On the palate, white peach, meyer lemon, pear, and a great saline quality I find in higher end Chablis. Finishes long with vibrant acidity. The only nit pick I have is that there is noticeable alcohol at room temp.

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• 2000 R. López de Heredia Rioja Rosado Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  (5/19/2012)

  I just was not able to wrap my head around this. Nose of cheese rind, nuts, spice, with faint hints of raspberry. On the palate, very nutty with cinnamon, raspberry, and almonds. Decent finish, but I just don't get this one. Not scored.

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• 2003 Windy Oaks Estate Pinot Noir Henry's Block Schultze Family Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  (5/19/2012)

  An interesting contrast to the Estate Cuvee. Appears younger in both color and on the nose with aromas of black cherry, rhubarb, forest floor, spice, and cranberry. On the palate, tart yet sweet with pie cherry, black cherry, cranberry, spice, and mushroom, and prevalent oak. Finishes long. I would actually give this 2-3 more years to integrate the remaining oak.

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• 2005 Windy Oaks Estate Pinot Noir Estate Cuvée Schultze Family Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  (5/19/2012)

  Popped and poured. Nose of bing cherry, red raspberry, rhubarb, cranberry, mushroom, black tea, asian spice. Palate of black cherry, pie cherry, black tea, spice. Smooth sappy transition to a racy finish. Interesting contrast to the 03 Henry's which seemed more tannic and younger by comparison. I would have like to have this side by side with the Thomas from the previous night.

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• 2009 Domaine de la Pertuisane Côtes Catalanes Le Nain Violet 90 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes Catalanes

  (5/19/2012)

  Big wine. Nose of black raspberry, licorice, dark chocolate, and a hint of stewed prune. On the palate, big and chewy with black and red raspberry, hints of leather, big dollop of black licorice, and mocha. Big finish with lots of grip. I would like to see this again.

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• 2003 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 94 Points

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

  (5/19/2012)

  My fifth time with this wine and all have been a little different. This was much less horsey than other bottles and still had that nice funk wrapped around a core of red and black fruit, anise, sage, tarragon, and roasted meat. On the palate, domainted by red and black raspberry flavors with anise, herbs, and smoked meat. Finishes long with noticeable grip and great acidity. My WOTN in some very serious company.

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• 2004 Torbreck RunRig 94 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  (5/19/2012)

  Probably the most floral of the wines we went through this weekend. Big nose of black fruit, anise, violets, with hints of graphite and tobacco. On the palate big flavors of blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, licorice, with hints of sage and tobacco. For all of the big aromas and flavors, this was very light on the palate. Without the presence of the Pegau, this would have been my WOTN.

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• 2005 Darioush Cabernet Sauvignon Darius II 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (5/19/2012)

  Big nose of black currant, spice, mocha, and cedar. On the palate, black currant, spicy oak, cedar, espresso, dark chocolate. Finishes with a wall of tannin. Needs time.

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• 1983 Château Raymond-Lafon 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  (5/19/2012)

  Great nose of apricot, pineapple, white peach, with hints of honey and spice. On the palate, apricot, pineapple, spice, honey. Finishes much drier than expected, perhpas the perfect foie gras wine.

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• 2011 Torbreck The Bothie 90 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  (5/19/2012)

  Very nice nose of poached pears and key lime. On the palate, pear, honey, pineapple, with a nice creamy mouthfeel. Well balanced by a zing of acidity on the finish.

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• 1977 Gould Campbell Porto Vintage 91 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  (5/19/2012)

  I think this needed a lot more air. It was impressive on the nose, with dried figs, dried cherry, blackberry, raisin, and mocha. On the palate, hot and spirity but with great flavors of fig, blackberry, raisin, and dried strawberry. Finishes with a lot of tannic grip and very hot.

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• 2007 Castleman Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  (5/19/2012)

  Nose of cassis, blackberry, vanilla, mocha, spice, hint of cedar and bell pepper. On the palate, rich sweet black fruit, currants, cedar, mint, licorice. Finishes with great balance. Drink with a short decant or continue to hold.

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Once again, thank you to Mr. Mike and Maggie for opening their ranch home to us. Thank you to everyone that shared their fantastic wines. Thank you to Hudson's on the Bend and Verdes for fanstastic food and service. Finally thank you to YoDaddyO and Carol for putting together such a great event. WE"RE NOT WORTHY!!!