Bringing Wine to Schwa

Schwa - Chicago IL
Tasted Thursday, March 15, 2007 by Burgundy Al with 264 views

Introduction

My Chicago Burgundy tasting group (the Lieu-dit Cru) had dinner at Schwa last week and shared a few fun wines. We enjoyed these wines over three hours (precisely – they kicked us out at 9 PM) and ten wonderful courses.

Flight 1 (7 Notes)

  • 1990 Bollinger Champagne R.D. Extra Brut

    France, Champagne

    Classic full-bodied character of a Champagne starting to show its bready/yeasty character, with some elegant traces of dried mushroom.

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  • 2001 Kongsgaard Chardonnay

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Tasted blind in a Chardonnay flight. Everybody recognized this as new world, with lots of new oak showing through clearly. Lots of rich butter, with tastes of orange and butterscotch, with some very nice spices on the finish. To me, it showed a bit too much alcohol at the end.

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  • 2001 Kistler Chardonnay Cuvée Cathleen

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Tasted blind in a Chardonnay flight. This was slightly preferred over the Kongsgaard 2001 by most of the group. The wine showed some nice nutty character and great overall balance. Lots of fresh peach and apricot flavors. Wonderful minerality and balance on the finish.

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  • 1990 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Brûlées

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru

    Opened several hours before serving, not decanted. At first, the aromas were massive and sensational, with tons of spice and dark fruit, and flavors to match. Surprisingly, after about 30 minutes in the glass the wine started to smell and taste a bit muddy, with less fruit and more dominant barnyard character. A bit disappointing in the end. Slightly off bottle?

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  • 1996 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Brûlées 95 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru

    Opened and decanted around 3 PM, back in bottle at 5 PM, decanted again at 6 PM, then poured around 7:30. Still a bit shut down when poured, this wine continued to unfold and improve over the next hour. The wine had lots of “everything” – big fruit, acidity, tannins. Lots of great cherry flavors, with somewhat of a candied element on the finish. A blockbuster, sensational wine that showed beautifully. This is one the few 96's I find drinking well now.

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  • 1997 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Brûlées

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru

    Opened an hour before serving, not decanted. Certainly the simplest of the three Brulees, this wine was far better with food than on its own. Good red fruit was a bit overshadowed by acidity when tasted solo, it worked great with rich foods and lots of flavors. This is that interesting Burgundy that would be an 86 or 87 point wine without food, but 89 or 90 with a meal.

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  • 2000 Domaine Philippe Delesvaux Coteaux du Layon Sélection de Grains Nobles

    France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Coteaux du Layon

    Had some very nice tropical fruit flavors but was a bit understated. Not quite as sweet as I expected. Very nice, but I think this might have been a bit better when younger when the fruit was brighter and more fresh.

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