Dinner with Friends (Ducru, Hillside, Scarecrow, +)

Last night my wife and I had two couples over for dinner. It was a great chance to open some wines from the cellar for people who would appreciate them. This is my favorite way to enjoy wine. One bottle paired to match the course where the wine serves as a lubricant to great conversation. Sure, these are some special bottles but only a few times did we talk about the wine. Much more interesting was our talk of family, society, and life. As for the wines though:

With Kale Chips with Lemon Yogurt Dip & Pita with Zatar:

• NV Roses de Jeanne / Cédric Bouchard Champagne Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs Côte de Val Vilaine 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  Another great showing for this wine. Golden in color. The nose is bread crumbs with some strawberry notes. Lots of small bubbles. Crisp and clean with a slight Vernor's soda note on the palate. Lots of complexity as well. A real crowd pleaser.

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• 2007 Gloria Ferrer Brut Rosé 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Pinkish orange in color. The nose has some strawberries and a bit of hay. Medium sized bubbles. The palate has nice strawberry fruit. A slightly rough midpalate but smooths out at the finish. Refreshing and food friendly. Very nice. Thanks Mike for adding this.

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With Gazpacho with Balsamic glaze:

• 2011 Bevan Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Robin's Cuvee Kick Ranch 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  I really liked this wine (this was my last bottle). The nose is explosive with a slightly grassy note, lots of tropical fruit and very clean. Full bodied. On the palate, this has just a wisp of sweetness to it, probably a combination of ripe fruit and alcohol body. Very delicious. We well with the soup. Very upfront wine.

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With Caprese Salad:

• 2006 Weingut Knoll Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Vinothekfüllung 91 Points

  Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

  Quite a contrast to the Bevan. Light golden in color. The nose is more about minerals than fruit although there is a hint of asparagus too. Complex and layered on the palate. This is obviously not young, but still alive and has plenty left to offer. Nice minerals on the palate with good acidity. Long finish.

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With Grilled Veggie Mufalata, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Sage, and Sautéed Mushrooms in Champagne Butter Sauce with Rosemary:

• 2006 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Slow-oxed for 8 hours. Deep purple in color. The nose is really nice with cassis, leather, black raspberries and some smoke. Full bodied. This was tight on pouring and needed to time in the glass to open up. Lots of fruit, cassis and showing a nice complexity. An earthy side slightly appeared with air. This is delicious and a fantastic wine that has improved since release. Still needs more time though. On any other night....

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• 2004 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  Wow. Slow-oxed for 8 hours. Inky purple in color. The nose is awesome with cassis, graphite, fresh tobacco, and slight vanilla notes. Full bodied with a plush texture. On the palate, this was powerful and open at the same time. The first was sip was the same as the last. Truly a fantastic wine. This had it all over the Scarecrow on this evening. Complex yet youthful. Powerful yet spry. Really a special wine.

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With a Cheese Course - Balsamic Bellavitano, Aged Gouda, Asiago Extra Aged:

• 1982 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 97 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Slow-oxed for 8 hours. This bottle showed quite young. It got better all night. Ruby/purple in color with barely and bricking. The nose has cassis, leather, spice and cedar. Full bodied with a juicy texture. Layered and complex with fruit and earth. Nice acidity Long finish. A beautiful wine that may just barely be at maturity (at least this bottle).

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With Chocolate Soufflé with Black Raspberry Chip Ice Cream:

• 1994 Gould Campbell Porto Vintage 90 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Cork crumbled on opening. Slow oxed for 6 hours and decanted for 3 more. This is nice. Went great with the food. The nose has dark chocolate covered raspberries. Full bodied. Sweet but not overtly. A bit more heat than I would have liked. Nice raspberry fruit. Very nice finish to dinner.

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Thanks to all for coming over, we should do it again soon.