Wednesday Afternoon Offline

This was another Wednesday afternoon last minute gathering. These events always seem to really be so enjoyable. I love the small group setting of four today. The wines were all quite good!

• NV Perrier-Jouët Champagne Grand Brut 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  Light gold color. Drank 2 glasses over an hour. Oddly enough I had the opportunity to drink this again today; again a bit high in dosage was the consensus; but on the whole a very nice wine with a lovely nose with biscuit, floral, pear, red apple, and some citrus. The palate is similar adding a bit of yeast and mineral. The finish is nice here. 90+ to 91pts.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2008 La Loge De Courtoux (Christine de Mianville) Jasnières Chant de Vigne 91 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Jasnières

  Light gold color. PNP, drank 2 glasses over 45 minutes. Nose has citrus, white peach, mineral, and floral elements. The palate is round and has a lovely texture, good depth, very fresh and crisp, citrus, peach, mineral, very long and very silky on the finish. Definitely putting on some weight and and length.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1994 Château Léoville Las Cases 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Very dark red color, 1.5mm clear meniscus. Decanted for 85 minutes. Drank 2 glasses over 2 hours. Great nose with dry earthiness, black and red fruits, cassis, deep red berries, cedarbox, potpourri. The palate is also very nice with soft texture, medium-full body, cassis, graphite, berry, good acid, medium tannins yet, well integrated, maybe a hint of green - but subte at most, medium plus finish. The nose really was great and the palate was not playing second fiddle by much. Seems like a great place now; I think this will hold for 3-5 years. but I believe it is at peak. 92(+?)pts.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

• 2001 Yalumba Shiraz The Octavius 95 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  Very dark red - purple color, no bricking. Slow-O for 2hrs then poured splashed before serving. Wow, great nose and even better on the palate. Nose is big, crushed blackberries, creme de cassis, plum, tobacco, roasted meat, tar, savory, spice, subtle eucalyptus/herb character (none on day 2). The palate has excellent energy and intensity, black and blue fruits, blackberry, plum, cassis, and blueberry, dark chocolate, tobacco, graphite, spices and a very long finish. Gorgeous and impeccable balance. Just a delight. This was even more elegant on day 2. 94t+ to 95pts.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

• 2005 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Very dark red-purple color. Decanted for 2 hours. Drank 2 glasses over an hour. The nose has cassis, plum, black cherry, raspberry, pepper, oak. The palate is medium full bodied, berry, cherry, black currant, and some mulberry with oak, and a bit of liqueur like heat and spice on the finish. This may need some more time. 91+pts.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2005 Château Guiraud 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Medium golden color. PNP, from 375ml, drank 1 glass over 30 minutes. Well this was just plain delicious. Bright nose with apricot, floral, honey, spice, orange. Vibrant, creamy, honey, apricot, citrus, spice, long finish. Nice balance of acid and sweet. Really drinking well already. Very glad to have more of these in the wings. 93-93+pts.

  Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

Unanimous WOTA was the 2001 Octavius. What a wonderful wine. I love the great Aussies with this kind of age. The 1994 Las Cases showed its pedigree all the way too. And the 2005 Guiraud to cap the day was a treat.