Best of the Best Tasting

Binny's Lincoln Park
Tasted Thursday, September 27, 2012 by smcilhen with 952 views

Introduction

Paid $40 to attend a tasting of high-end wines, a list of which was not available until arriving at the tasting. There were 4 tables, so I have separated my sparse notes into 4 flights. I did not try any of the white wines, so I have not included them in this listing. I’ve only added notes to certain wines, but have listed the wines from each table for full disclosure. DISCLAIMER: I am not a wine expert and most of these wines were consumed too young!

Flight 1 - Table 1 Reds (3 Notes)

To me, a disappointing table.

'09 Terre Nere Guardiola ($40), ’98 LaRioja Alra Gran Reserva 904 ($50), ’08 Clos Figueras, ’05 Mazzi Amarone Punta ($55), ’10 Pingus PSI ($40), ’10 Alvaro Palacios Terrasses, ’07 Mastrojanni Brunello ($60)

Flight 2 - Table 2 Reds (2 Notes)

’09 Napanook ($50), ’09 Dominus ($175), ’07 Pio Cesare Barolo ($70), ’10 Bouchard Savigny Les Beaune ($30)

  • 2009 Dominus Napanook Red

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Very fruity with a shortish finish. Fruit is bright, red fruit not black fruit. Surprisingly, I would say you need to age this (or decant for 6 hours) not to smooth out the tannins, but to let the fruit calm down. Not my style.

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  • 2009 Dominus Estate

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    DISCLAIMER: consumed too young at a tasting!

    Similar note to the '09 Napanook: the fruit is bright, red fruit and really in your face. There are some additional components to this wine compared to the Napanook, mainly the finish.....though in my opinion those components do not warrant an additional $125 to the price. This is too young and needs to rest a bit (or needs a long decant) to let the fruit calm down. Not my style.

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Flight 3 - Table 3 Reds (7 Notes)

’08 Domaine Serene Pinot Evenstad Reserve ($66), ‘08 El Nido El Nido ($125), ’07 Fisher Coach Insignia Cab ($80), ’08 Chappellet Pritchard Hill Cab ($125), ’08 Montelena Estate Cab ($110), ’07 Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuovo Brunello ($80), ’10 Belle Glos Alturas Pinot ($40), ’09 Paul Hobbs Napa REPLACED WITH Duckhorn (downgrade!), ’09 Darioush Napa Cab ($90)

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Flight 4 - Table 4 Reds (4 Notes)

The Binny's table!

’09 Jadot Beaune Clos Ursules ($60), ’05 Pichon Lalande Pauillac, ’06 Pavie St. Emilion ($225), ’06 Pontet-Canet Pauillac ($90), ’06 Pape Clement Pessac Leognan ($125), ’06 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage ($185), ’91 Grahams Vintage Port ($95)

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Closing

Overall, it was a decent tasting for the money. I am very disappointed with the selection at Table 1, as to me nothing from that table (red-wise, at least) screamed “Best of the Best”. Tables 3 and 4 were where I spent most of my time. I am very happy to have tried the following wines that I have been reading about for so long: Dominus, Montelena Estate, El Nido, and Chateau Pavie. Although I avoid buying wines from France due to both the cost of the wines and the confusion surrounding the regions, I have to say that I now understand how someone can drop serious coin for a wine like Pavie. A fun way to spend a Thursday night!

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