Summer 2014 Distinguished Cellar Auction Tasting

I just booked a work trip to Southern California TRACON in San Diego when I got the email from Spectrum wine auction for this fabulous tasting opportunity in San Diego that (luckily) coincided with my trip. So, for $25, I was able to taste the following highly-rated, expensive wines.

One champagne, one Riesling, and one cult California Chardonnay ... The Alsace Riesling was my favorite, hands down.

• 1996 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon

  France, Champagne

  Again ... I just don't "get" champagne ... I enjoyed it just fine, but I couldn't tell you the difference between this bottle and a dime-store sparkler.

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• 1999 Trimbach Riesling Clos Ste. Hune 92 Points

  France, Alsace

  Clear golden yellow color. Aromas of petrol, minerals, limestone, yellow apples, honey. Silk smooth acids on the palette with hints of lemon, and yellow apples. Full bodied wine with a smooth texture and a long finish. I really enjoyed this one.

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• 2009 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Salted caramel and butterscotch on the nose with dried apricots and pear. Tropical fruit on the palate with good weight, richness and density. Well balanced and all in harmony. Subtle caramel over dried apricot and yellow apple skin. Not my thing, this what-I-call "California caramel" style of wine.

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Two Grand Crus, a 1er, and a village wine... The village was easily my favorite.

• 2010 Domaine Latour-Giraud Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes 89 Points

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

  Lush and creamy on the nose, red berries, herbs and spices with a hint of forest notes. Good grip on the palate, fresh and a bit tight at present. still lush, good balance and decent finish. A little short.

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• 2010 Domaine de la Vougeraie Clos Vougeot 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

  Agree with AAGRAWAL ... Just add this wine is very Oakley and disjointed. Could come together in time, but hard to judge. Payoff seems small, not a wine to buy for me.

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• 2010 Marchand & Tawse / Pascal Marchand Mazy-Chambertin 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru

  Very reduced. Smokey, roasted coffee bean notes. Cocoa aromas. Dark red berry fruit. Grilled meats. Very nice elements. Still, no "wow" factor here.

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• 2009 Edmond Cornu & Fils Ladoix 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Ladoix

  Bright ruby red; leather and cherry nose; cherry and dry Indian spice palate that finishes fairly short, but overall this is delicious.

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Two Sonoma County and one Oregon. The Aubert was my favorite.

• 2008 Ken Wright Pinot Noir McCrone Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton

  Very earthy nose with raspberries. Tart palate and not as sweet as expected given the vintage. Nice strong acidity on red fruited finish.

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• 2011 Littorai Pinot Noir The Haven 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Very young and tight nose. Some stemminess, minerality, a little oak, red fruits and a little forest floor. Clean. Nice enough, but not very interesting.

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• 2011 Aubert Pinot Noir UV-SL Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  The wine has a beautiful garnet color, light in the glass with almost no legs. The nose was light with hints of fruit and minerals. A light fruity taste that is tart and not sweet and a smooth texture. The finish is long. My favorite of the new pinots, but not a good QPR to me.

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A CDP, a Brunello, and a northern Rhone. Hands down the Cote Rotie was my favorite, and WOTN for the tasting.

• 2010 Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Impériale 90 Points

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

  Lots of berry quality but a bit green and still a bit alcoholic. Smokey and elegant, yet juicy and plush.

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• 2007 Cerbaiona Brunello di Montalcino 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Translucent light ruby color. Big, ripe red fruit, spice, a little dried herb. Surprisingly low acid here, and delicate fine tannins. Well-balanced, but lacking some of the muscle that I expect from sangiovese. Pair with lighter Italian dishes, this is not a big, bold brunello.

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• 2003 Delas Frères Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Started with some wonderful spring flowers, black fruits, and cherry and evolved to add some sage, tar and rubbed leather. More black than blue this always kept its feminine side in show. This was long and precise with a nice balance, focus and purity. A long finish kept it all alive for a minute plus. Beautiful.

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A Washington Red Mountain Ice Wine and an Aussie Sticky. Sadly, I enjoyed the $10 Aussie sticky more than everything at the tasting save the Delas Cote Rotie and the Alsace Riesling.

• 2010 d'Arenberg The Stump Jump Sticky Chardonnay Riesling Semillon Pinot Gris 91 Points

  Australia, South Australia

  BVAL nailed it. Only real flaw is the acid takes a few seconds to catch up with the RS and flavors. Starts too sweet, but ends up crisp. At $10/split, this is outstanding QPR.

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• 2012 Kiona Chenin Blanc Ice Wine 89 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

  pretty nose of citrus, ripe pear, some apple and some minerality as well as a touch of honey. Light-bodied with medium acidity. Good length. Not enough acid for me, but a decent enough ice wine that is all about freshness.

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All in all, I was disappointed with 90% of the offering. Just goes to show you that expensive, highly-sought-after wines don't necessarily translate into "good" wines for your palate.