DC shindig at Domaine wine storage – Arnoux RSV, 10 Raveneau, Chave, Rayas, Futo, Jadot 150

Gabe organized a fun tasting with the theme “The "I need to taste that before I buy more..." . It was meant to be trying the recent mail order wines but we ended up with cornucopia of wine. I didn’t take any formal notes but these are the wines that I enjoyed the most other than the 85 Monprivato and the 78 Vallentino both en Magnum.

I wanted to do this blind but ended up tasting none blind. There is a big gap and while I think the 1ers are good buys at $100, the village is not worth $59 that I paid. I am loving the 10 Raveneau 1er crus.

• 2010 François Raveneau Chablis 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis

  I wanted to blind this against the 10 vaillons but ended up tasting none blind. Sweet yellow fruit, oil, a hint of lanoline and honey. Although the wine displays oily and unctuous and a hint of lanoline which I associate with Raveneau, It would be highly unlikely to mistake this as 1er crus Raveneau as it has very little mineral expression and precision. I paid $58 all in and I would rather drink 1er crus Dauvissat. This is an enjoyable and well made village Chablis but not a good QPR.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2010 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

  I really enjoyed the 09 version and this perhaps is even better. I always find the refreshing cool expression in Ravenau that I associate with mountain spring. White fruit, pear, honeysuckle, limestone and saline. Gabe and Tom commented the mineral expression is not unlike a great GG and I completely agree. This seems slightly less of everything compare to the 10 MdT and Butteaux which makes it even easier to appreciate at this early stage. Lovely wine. The village for $58 is not a good value for me but I am happy to own this for $90 per bottle.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Once again the Chaves clearly expressed their unique characters. The Rayas was wonderful.

• 1989 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 96 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Wonderfully matured yet with plenty of red fruits. Cherry, garrique, beef blood, flower and spice. The palate is very Burgundian, clean, sweet, bright acidity and tannins hinting as the end note. Drinking beautifully and very “Chave”.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1998 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 94 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Served blind originally and there is an uncanny resemblance to the 89 but obviously less tertiary notes like blood and garrigue. Bright red fruits, cherry also noticeable mineral expression. Drinking nicely but not fully matured if you enjoy Chavesque tertiary expression. Very polished and clean palate with bright acidity.

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

• 1994 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 95 Points

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

  Thanks to Justin, I got to try this wine twice in two month. Popped and poured into a decanter, once again showing beautifully and perhaps even slightly fresher. Sweet red and black fruits, cherry, dry cherry, olive, licorice, garrique and earth. Medium concentration and silky palate. This is a fully matured Rayas with generous jammy fruit that is nicely expressing the fruit forward vintage character.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

I bought the 09 Beaune 1er Cru 150 based on Antonio and a friends recommendation but I am close to the 90 even with my inflated rating system.

• 2009 Louis Jadot Beaune 1er Cru Celebration 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru

  Not a big fan of Beaune but purchased based Antonio and a good friend’s recommendation. A few who tasted at the beginning thought to jammy and cloying but when I tried after a couple hours of air, showing nicely. Bright red fruits, candied fruit, caramel and mineral. It is very enjoyable now and will improve at least for the next ten years. Even with my generous 100 point scale, my rating is 91.

  Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

• 1996 Domaine Robert Arnoux / Arnoux-Lachaux Romanée St. Vivant 97 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Romanée St. Vivant Grand Cru

  This wine reminds me the 96 Leroy version I had recently. Expressive nose of cool and primary red fruits, raspberry, pomegranate, a hint of black truffle and Vosne spice and earth. It is still very youthful with only a very little hint of sous bois. The nose got better with air. It will need another ten years if you like a lot of tertiary notes. I definitely need to find some.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Wonderful surprise and if you are a cal cab lover, you need to check this one out.

• 2007 Futo Oakville 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  This is a big scale Napa cab. Despite being ripe, the fruit expression is fresh and is toward blue spectrum. Cassis, clove and licorice. Incredible concentration, unctuous palate but not a heavy wine. If you are a cal cab guy, your rating may be even higher. Very impressive wine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Once again, we all had wonderful time. Thanks Justin for hosting us.