BYOB wine evening in Yokohama

Nice and quiet event among happy people and the fantastic hosts of Miel. We had a complete and satisfying evening of good Champagne and all non-high-brand wines. And good honest French food.

With a drop-in-start, we started on the bottles as they were placed on the table. Food was served throughout the evening and there was much rejoicing as well as hearty laughter.

• NV Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Premier 88 Points

  France, Champagne

  Non-blind. Had immediately. BYOB wine eve at Miel (Tobe, Yokohama).
  Impression: very, very good.
  Solid and performing well. Elegant and strong, bready nose. Powerful style on the palate. Very appealing and right in my corner pocket. Finishing slightly short.
  Gibo-san's btl.

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• 2000 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Monferrato Pin 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Monferrato

  Non-blind. Decanted 1 hr. BYOB wine eve at Miel (Tobe, Yokohama).
  Impression: absolutely outstanding!
  Maturing color. Rich, plummy nose with complex earthy over tones and beautiful tobacco scents.
  On the palate, it started out weak, but grew well. Rich, plummy darkness, tobacco leaves, elegant and complex. Firm tannic grip. Maturing aromas and zappy acids. Still too early. Only 4 btls left from the case...
  Our btl and WOTN.

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• 2011 Domaine Wilfrid Rousse Chinon Les Galuches 87 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon

  Non-blind. Slow-oxed 24 hrs. BYOB wine eve at Miel (Tobe, Yokohama).
  Impression: very good and then some
  Extremely wet stone nose.
  In the mouth, the wet stones (or "minerality") is exaggerated and dominating. Acids are high, structure is towards typical but the brett gives this wine an extra dimension. The fruit is there for to maybe take this wine in to the 90-point club. Next, and final btl, in ~8 yrs time.
  Much liked, especially among the Burg heads.
  Our btl. (Wife: 65p)

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• 2007 Château d'Issan Blason d'Issan 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Non-blind. Decanted 3 hrs. BYOB wine eve at Miel (Tobe, Yokohama).
  Impression: almost outstanding!
  The surprise of the evening. 2nd wine from a weak vintage, and it over performed.
  Rounded, L sized bouquet.
  Velvety structure with dignity. M- acids, low tannin, good body. Peaking now and for some years to come. Great pleasure!
  Good selection of fruit, no doubt.
  Y-sensei's btl.

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• 2007 Yves de Turquin Chambolle-Musigny 84 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny

  Non-blind. Had immediately. BYOB wine eve at Miel (Tobe, Yokohama).
  Impression: as good as "good" can be!
  This is superbly delicious but without complexity. But delicious...
  Soft, red fruit, transparent structure, mini-tannin and good balance.
  For early drinking on its fruit. (Wife: 83p)
  Gibo-san's btl.

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• 2004 Château d'Aiguilhe 86 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

  Non-blind. Had immediately. BYOB wine eve at Miel (Tobe, Yokohama).
  Impression: excellent!
  Nose: the most pure mushroomy (Champignons) nose so far in my career.
  As this btl came in late to the game, not much is remembered, more than deliberation upon the score and that it had future promise as well as a thin mid-palate.
  Have had several very fine examples from Côtes de Castillon in the last few years. Good selection of fruit for this wine.
  Host's btl.

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Pin was clearly the WOTN since none of the others showed neither maturity nor any high levels of complexity. Next time, we will raise the volume a little :-)