Impromptu dinner at home

Got together at very short notice.

• 2009 Vouette et Sorbée Champagne Fidèle 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  Rich and powerful champagne. Lots of mousse initially. There's a distinct oxidative style here which compliments the complexity of the wine.

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• 1991 Penfolds Shiraz St. Henri 91 Points

  Australia, South Australia

  Level in to the neck. Lovely old wine. Still quite deep in colour with a fading rim. Developed aromas - leather, earth, iodine, dark chocolate. Gained more palate weight and opened up with time. There was a little note of oxidation in this bottle which suggested that it was perhaps not at its best. The impression is that completely sound bottles would be be singing.

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• 2008 Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Decanted 6 hours. Fresh and bright red cherry fruit. Plenty of food friendly acids, savoury nuances and a little grip on the back end, typical of the grape. No rush on this one.

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• 2010 Ceretto Barolo Bricco Rocche 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Decanted around 6 hours. Dried herbs and cherry aromas lift out of a pale coloured wine. It smells attractive. The palate is finely tuned and if anything carries a little oak touch. It's firm, a little crunchy even. Tea-like tannins, raspberry and cherry. Lovely with food though.
  Better on the 2nd and 3rd days.

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• 1994 Howard Park Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

  Australia, Western Australia

  Level was well in to the neck still. Cork was removed in multiple dried pieces. Decanted and served. Only slight bricking. The aromas are well developed - earthy, cedar, tobacco, with some dark berry fruit. The palate is wonderfully elegant, with some spice and dark fruits harmoniously wrapped by the soft tannins.

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• 1996 Château Lynch-Bages 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Fine and elegant, with developed flavours now. Gentle red and black berry fruits, tobacco, dried herbs, cedar. The acids are there, and keep the palate fresh. Excellent drinking now.

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Prepared by John

• 1994 Orlando Shiraz Lawsons 91 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Padthaway

  Dark and lush still! Black plums, licorice, mocha. But it's so integrated. It's still a big wine, but all components are in balance.

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• 1999 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Red and dark fruits are still apparent, on a fine backbone of acids and tannins. Not too much complexity here. A little overshadowed by a powerful 1994 Lawson's.

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Concluded with a cheese course
And dessert!