Bottle released approximately 2 years ago. Lots of forward strawberry and tart red cherry, with green apple background notes. Prominent Pinot Noir-esque flavor profile, but the more linear and elegant textural style I more typically expect from Chardonnay-driven Champagne. Long and lean finish.
Open ~30 minutes before serving. Normally I would have decanted this bottle, so not sure why I didn't tonight. Slightly reductive start, no surprise for Raveneau. Really hit its stride with 15-30 minutes in glass, this was at its absolute best at the very last sip, 3+ hours after the bottle was opened. Lots of yellow apple, lemon and lemon peel on nose and palate, with some lemon curd flavors as well. Very impressive density, weight and length. Good tonight, but I would expect this to really shine 2020 forward.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
Open and decanted approximately 30 minutes before serving, which really helped. Floral, nicely perfumed start with great spice. Alluring start with red berry and forest floor hints. Also exciting flavors, just slightly more exciting and enticing start vs middle and finish. Like other times I've had this wine, it doesn't quite show the power and structure of the best 1996s, but is very accessible and enjoyable today. Others liked this more than I did tonight.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
Decanted 45 minutes before serving. This is at least the 10th time I've had this wine, and probably the least exciting bottle. Hmm. Very good aromatic start that showcased red and black berry, earthy background notes, with lots of dried, savory herbs. Slightly less complete and exciting flavors, also less fully composed. This never really unfolded or developed with more time in glass, with a little bit of bretty character a little more prominent start-to-finish than I'd prefer. There was a glass left at the end of the evening and I will be interested to hear from the birthday boy if this was better or worse the following day. 92 points tonight, but perhaps not typical.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
Don't tell anybody but this is Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche. Like other bottles of that great wine, this is lush with fat fruit while also energetic. More black vs red fruit, nicely supported with slightly sweet baking spice. Very long and evolving. Open approximately an hour before serving, but not decanted.
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
This is another wine that has performed inconsistently through the years. Good combination of earthy, mushroomy character with plenty of black fruit and background spice. Good depth and moderate power.
Chocolate mousse with espresso, almost showing a tiramisu character. Very ripe black fruit, borderline ultra ripe, but staying on the balanced side of that divide. Very young now, I would expect this is just approaching its peak drinking window.
Exactly the style of Port I most enjoy, this showed caramel, figs and raisins with hints on chocolate and dark berries. Borderline sweet with savory, energetic notes everywhere. I would expect this will be even nicer tomorrow and even next week.
NV Krug Champagne Brut Rosé 93 Points
France, Champagne
Bottle released approximately 2 years ago. Lots of forward strawberry and tart red cherry, with green apple background notes. Prominent Pinot Noir-esque flavor profile, but the more linear and elegant textural style I more typically expect from Chardonnay-driven Champagne. Long and lean finish.
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2005 François Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 94 Points
France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru
Open ~30 minutes before serving. Normally I would have decanted this bottle, so not sure why I didn't tonight. Slightly reductive start, no surprise for Raveneau. Really hit its stride with 15-30 minutes in glass, this was at its absolute best at the very last sip, 3+ hours after the bottle was opened. Lots of yellow apple, lemon and lemon peel on nose and palate, with some lemon curd flavors as well. Very impressive density, weight and length. Good tonight, but I would expect this to really shine 2020 forward.
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1996 Domaine Leroy Clos Vougeot 92 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
Open and decanted approximately 30 minutes before serving, which really helped. Floral, nicely perfumed start with great spice. Alluring start with red berry and forest floor hints. Also exciting flavors, just slightly more exciting and enticing start vs middle and finish. Like other times I've had this wine, it doesn't quite show the power and structure of the best 1996s, but is very accessible and enjoyable today. Others liked this more than I did tonight.
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1998 Domaine G. Roumier / Christophe Roumier Bonnes Mares
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
Decanted 45 minutes before serving. This is at least the 10th time I've had this wine, and probably the least exciting bottle. Hmm. Very good aromatic start that showcased red and black berry, earthy background notes, with lots of dried, savory herbs. Slightly less complete and exciting flavors, also less fully composed. This never really unfolded or developed with more time in glass, with a little bit of bretty character a little more prominent start-to-finish than I'd prefer. There was a glass left at the end of the evening and I will be interested to hear from the birthday boy if this was better or worse the following day. 92 points tonight, but perhaps not typical.
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2001 Lucie & Auguste Lignier Clos de la Roche 94 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
Don't tell anybody but this is Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche. Like other bottles of that great wine, this is lush with fat fruit while also energetic. More black vs red fruit, nicely supported with slightly sweet baking spice. Very long and evolving. Open approximately an hour before serving, but not decanted.
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1990 M. Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne 88 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
More earthy than fruit-driven, not quite as exciting as the last bottle I tried a couple of years ago. Slightly tired.
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1990 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 92 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
This is another wine that has performed inconsistently through the years. Good combination of earthy, mushroomy character with plenty of black fruit and background spice. Good depth and moderate power.
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2005 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto Toscana IGT 93 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Chocolate mousse with espresso, almost showing a tiramisu character. Very ripe black fruit, borderline ultra ripe, but staying on the balanced side of that divide. Very young now, I would expect this is just approaching its peak drinking window.
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1970 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage 93 Points
Portugal, Douro, Porto
Exactly the style of Port I most enjoy, this showed caramel, figs and raisins with hints on chocolate and dark berries. Borderline sweet with savory, energetic notes everywhere. I would expect this will be even nicer tomorrow and even next week.
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