San Diego WineSpectator.com Offline, 6/28/2012

Casa Racer117
Tasted Thursday, June 28, 2012 by Javachip with 424 views

Introduction

Many thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Racer117, our warm and gracious hosts this evening. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner on the patio under a trellis covered with grapevines. Life is good! Wine rankings are by group vote; point scores are my own.

Flight 1 (8 Notes)

  • 2009 Cornerstone Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 90 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    13.9% alcohol. Very light clear straw color. Notes of unripe green kiwi, white grapefruit, herbs, lemongrass, smoke, oak. Outstanding. THIRD PLACE tonight.

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  • 2011 La Closerie des Lys Les Fruitières Rosé 90 Points

    France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d'Oc

    Clear light pale salmon-pink color. Notes of fresh crisp tart berries, minerals, light oak. Just what I hope for in a rose. My #3 tonight.

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  • 2002 Ariston Aspasie Champagne Brut Millésimé 90 Points

    France, Champagne

    Clear light yellow with medium bead, settling quickly. Notes of fresh non-buttered popcorn, sweet croissant, quince, grapefruit. Outstanding. My #2 tonight.

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  • 1998 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    65% cab sauvignon, 25% cab franc, 10% merlot. Clear deep garnet-blood color. I greatly enjoyed this wine six months ago, but tonight's bottle seemed musty, possibly mildly corked, with notes of dill and green bell pepper obscuring the subdued dark fruit. I thought perhaps it just needed more air, until I learned the bottle was decanted and re-bottled at least an hour before serving. Others liked this bottle very much, and ranked it SECOND PLACE tonight.

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  • 2007 Justin Vineyards & Winery Isosceles 94 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    88% cab sauvignon, 8% cab franc, 4% merlot. Decanted and re-bottled at least an hour before serving. Clear dark garnet black color. Fantastic bouquet of black cherries, blackberries, cloves, and toast. Powerful, full-bodied, but seamless and well-balanced, with long finish. Youthful but approachable now. FIRST PLACE tonight by unanimous vote.

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  • 2005 Sans Permis La Petite Colline 88 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    15.5% alcohol. 50% syrah, 50% grenache. Clear dark garnet. Notes of bacon fat, smoke, berries, licorice, and wood. Excellent value.

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  • 1967 Hooper's Porto Vintage

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Bottled in 1973. Couldn't assess fill level due to darkness of the glass. Cork removed intact, in excellent condition. Decanted one hour before serving. Cloudy brown color. I was ready to pour it down the sink immediately, but we decided to give it a chance. Musty notes of figs and raisins, like a tawny, likely heat damaged. Went OK with chocolate, but what doesn't go with chocolate?

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  • 2005 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Late Bottled Vintage 85 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Tasted late in the evening. Bottle has been open with vacuum stopper for at least a few days. Clear dark garnet color. Straightforward profile of milk chocolate and cherry cordial, with noticeable alcohol. Overall very nice.

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Closing

Cheers to Mr. & Mrs. Racer117 for opening their lovely home to a bunch of thirsty and hungry winos. What a blessing to have such wonderful friends!

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