Brett's Birthday

Fantastic tasting organized by Alyssa on behalf of Brett's birthday. Many thanks Brett and Alyssa for their generosity in bringing a ridiculous amount of epic wine, sushi, and pizza. Several of the Weygandt regulars stopped by and added bottles of their own. A memorable evening for sure! For Megan and I the Cameron Chardonnay Clos Electrique 2007 really stood out among the whites, while the Cayuse Bionic Frog 2001 edged out the Musar 1981 among the reds for personal top honors.

• 2002 Domaine Huet Vouvray Pétillant Brut 87 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray Pétillant

  Very loire chenin nose of caramel apples, roasted nuts, spice, and toffee. There is a fine bead to the palate of oxidative orchard fruits, backed by asian spice and lemon citrus acidity. Good, but it felt a bit tired. Drink. 87

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• 2002 Linden Chardonnay Avenius 91 Points

  USA, Virginia, Northern Virginia

  Very savory, interesting aromas of ripe cheese, preserved citrus, sage, and smoked nuts. The palate, however, is contrasting and gorgeous with ripe lemon/lime and apple over walnut oil and dried herbs. Medium bodied, but powerful and nicely textured. Great balance of mature fruit and still racy acidity. Drink. R&M91

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• 2000 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

  Fantastic aromas of smoke, oyster shell, dried seaweed, and apple core. The palate is light to medium bodied with lemon oil, lime, and sea spray. The finish lingers with fresh mint, almonds, and lively citrus acidity. Well made and enjoyable, with the nose as the real attraction. Drink. R&M89

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• 2007 Cameron Blanc Clos Electrique 93 Points

  USA, Oregon

  Bright, vivid aromas of crisp apple, ripe lemon, wet slate, and thyme. Perfect apples and pears wash over fresh herbs, cut grass, and granite minerality. While tightly wound this has superb length, with wonderful intensity to its flavors. Gorgeous, and will improve with time in the cellar. Hold. R&M93

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• 2005 Didier Dagueneau Silex 90 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé

  Ridiculously explosive and vivid aromas of exotic tropical fruits, mint, and tangerine citrus. The palate is intense and full bodied, boasting pineapple, cut grass, slate, and finishing grapefruit rind. This is complex with superb length, though a hint of alcohol finish keeps it from being great. Hold. R&M90

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• 2008 Dunham Cellars Riesling Lewis Vineyard 85 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Aromas of waxy citrus, sweet tangerine, and granite minerals. Sweet stone fruits open the medium bodied palate buffered by citrus acidity. Enjoyable, but simultaneously rather sweet with searing acidity. Perhaps an off bottle based on the notes below, but didn't seem to have much complexity or depth. Hold. R&M85

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• 2000 R. López de Heredia Rioja Rosado Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 88 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Interesting, shifting nose of cranberry, dried herbs, tomato, and sherry notes. The palate follows suit with oxidative tart red berries, slate, and worn cedar. The finish adds sweet dried berries and spicy aged tobacco. Medium bodied with still present acidity, this improved with food. Drink. R&M88

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• 2008 Brick House Pinot Noir Evelyn's 89 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge

  Bright aromas of maturing cranberry, spiced herbs, and game. The palate is medium bodied and nicely textured, as lithe waves of sweet red berries, baking spice, and grilled meet combine with finishing grilled tomato and violets. Really nice with fresh acidity, but a bit sweet in its fruit profile. Drink or Hold. R&M89

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• 2008 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve 84 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Somewhat simple nose of ripe dark cherries and dried rose petal. On the palate this was similarly ripe, as mixed berries, baking spice, vanilla, licorice combine with bitter chocolate on the finish. Full bodied with a sweet fruit profile and rather low acidity. Drink. R&M 84

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• 2008 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur-Champigny Les Poyeux 90 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur-Champigny

  Vivid, distinctly beautiful loire cab franc aromas of red cherry, aged tobacco, and tilled soil. The palate is medium bodied and superbly balanced with good focus to its pretty cherry, smoked game, pepper, and sanguine flavors. Worn leather, charred root vegetables, and fresh red berry acidity add to the lengthy finish. Delicious, but with great promise in the cellar. Hold. R&M90+

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• 2004 Pieve Santa Restituta (Gaja) Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Lively aromas of lavender, spiced berries, vivid herbs, and charred vegetables. The palate is juicy and filled with sweet mixed berries cut by smoked meats, tobacco, leather, and earth. Medium to full bodied and definitely more modern in style, though with promising acidity, savory tones, and firm tannins. Nicely textured, but needs time. Hold.

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• 2001 Château Figeac 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Great savory driven nose of fallen leaves, maturing red fruit, and aged tobacco. Waves of velvet spiced berries lead the medium bodied palate, with tones of worn leather, mushroom, and charred tomatoes carried onto the finish. This is drinking nicely now, but is no danger of tiring. Drink or Hold. R&M90

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• 1981 Chateau Musar 93 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  Really interesting, constantly changing aromas of dried red fruits, forest floor, fallen pine, and mushrooms. The palate is similarly beautiful, as complex and shifting mature red berries meld with savory herbs, paprika, smoked dried game. The finish carries superb length, and invigorates with red berry acidity. This is medium bodied, mature, and rewarding with each sip. Outstanding. Drink.

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• 2006 Linden Hardscrabble 91 Points

  USA, Virginia, Northern Virginia

  Beautiful, energetic aromas of spiced cassis, plum, blackberry, and tobacco. Similarly lively on the palate as brambly ripe dark berries balance savory root vegetables and sundried tomato. The finish is filled with red berry acidity acidity, lending direction to cedar and aged tobacco. Very nicely textured and medium to full bodied. Will continue to improve in the cellar. Drink or Hold.

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• 2001 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog 94 Points

  USA, Oregon, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  Simply stunning nose. Haunting, complex aromas of dark berries, forest floor, herbs, bacon, and potpourri. The palate is expansive and similarly impressive, balancing authentic, perfect crushed dark berries with endless smoked game, dried flowers, and asian spice. Gorgeously textured and superbly balanced with fantastic fresh acidity. Really outstanding now, but will continue to improve in the cellar. Drink or Hold.

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• 2010 Gramercy Cellars Syrah John Lewis Reserve 90 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  Juicy, lively aromas of blueberry/blackberry compote, black licorice, smoked meats, and pepper. Rather fresh and floral on the palate as cool, deep black fruit ends in spice, leather, and sweet dark berries. Medium to full bodied with firm acidity and staunch tannins. This is exceedingly young and primary, though with significant promise in the cellar. Hold.

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• 2010 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah In the Rocks 90 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  Really energetic, vivid, and primary nose of spiced mixed berries, bitter chocolate, and dried rose. Similarly tight and muscular on the palate, as ripe cherries and plum meld with emerging asian spice, cedar, and sweet blackberries, and hints of game. Nice texture and balance, but will definitely improve in the cellar. Hold.

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• 1988 Château Climens

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

  Popped and poured. Smokey aromas of apricot, caramel, toffe, and golden raisin. The palate is rather sweet as mixed caramelized tropical fruit, baking spice, and cinnamon merge with grilled ripe pineapple on the finish. Tasty, but overly sweet and feels too mature for its age. Will hold off on rating as not necessarily a representative bottle.

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Thanks again to Alyssa and Brett for their generosity, and thanks to Weygandt Wines for hosting!