Mostly French on Christmas Eve

This was my side of the family's Christmas gathering. We always have a great time, and the wine drinkers are anxious to see what they will get to drink.

• NV Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Premier 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  Light gold color. This bottle had been cellared for 3 years. Drank 2 glasses over an hour. Lemon, mineral, biscuit and pear on the nose, with mild yeast. The palate is light, very fine bead, citrus, mineral finish. Medium-plus finish.

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• 2010 Domaine Vrignaud Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume Vieilles Vignes 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

  Light gold color. Drank 1+ glasses over 40 minutes. This was really in a good place right now. The nose is very pretty, shells, peach, citrus, white florals waft generously from the glass. The palate is fresh with citrus, lemon, grapefruit, and melon, followed by bright minerality and acidity offering good grip on the persistent finish. Very nice and hard to resist. I know I'm going to wish I had even more of these at some point.

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• 2000 Château Lascombes 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Very dark red color. 1-2mm clear meniscus. Decanted for 1.5hrs. Drank 2 glasses over 2hrs. Another stunningly good Margaux nose. The nose has a gorgeous array of earth, cedar, spearmint, fresh cut spices, dry earth, violets (which later becomes quite profuse), and subtle truffle notes. There is a mix of black and blue fruit that emerges over the first 30 minutes as this literally exploded, predominantly cassis and blueberry. The palate starts out nicely but my first thought was it was maybe a little thin, but that proved to be wrong as it took on considerable weight as it emerged, becoming elegant and medium-full bodied, with cassis, dark berries, French oak, earth, dusty minerals and dusty tannins on the long finish. I could not have been more pleased with how this showed, and it really got the family pumped. 93+pts.

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• 2003 Domaine Belle Hermitage 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Very dark red color. PNP, aerated into glasses. The nose has some nicely roasted meat, pancetta, very floral - roses, dried leaves, cassis, black cherry, spice. The palate is soft and elegant, nuanced, medium-full bodied, and balanced, roasted meat, cassis, pepper, spice, savory, glycerin, kirsch, very fine tannins and a long finish. I'd been waiting for some time to finally try this and it proved to be delightfully well worth the wait. Will update if any significant changes on day two.

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• 2006 Kamen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  Dark purple color. Decanted for 1 hour. Drank 1+ glass over 60 minutes. Nose shows big, ripe black fruits of blackberry, boysenberry, and cassis, menthol,and lovely notes of oak. An earth note emerged about 30 minutes into the glass. The palate is deep and powerful, chewy and full bodied. There is gorgeous fruit here, blackberry, boysenberry, and crème de cassis, followed by some herbs, spice and tobacco. The finish shows black licorice, round medium tannins, and fairly well integrated oak on top of the black fruits and goes on for 30 seconds plus. This is definitely a big, fruit forward Cali cab that shows good balance. Definitely got my Dad's attention with this one.

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I heard a lot of raves and no complaints, so I think it's safe to say it was a success....I certainly know I wasn't disappointed.

WOTN was the 2000 Chateau Lascombes.