Dinner at Don and Gary's - 64 CB, 03 Plume and 67 D'Yquem

Don and Gary kindly invited three couples for a wonderful dinner. I played five games of softball and I doze off despite being surrounded by wonderful company. I was having so much fun that I didn’t take any notes. Subsequently I could barely walk and I am finally putting my impressions together. We also had an Aubert Chardonnay, Tua Rita Redigaffi and quilceda creek. Don hired a chef who did an exceptional job.

• 1999 Salon Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 95 Points

  France, Champagne

  Quite fat and generous without losing the precision. It shed ripe yellow fruits and nose more citrus driven. It is evolving nicely. From a magnum purchase from PC.

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

We also had an Aubert Chardonnay that was very good.

• 2004 Louis Jadot Montrachet 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Montrachet Grand Cru

  I last had the bottle in 2008 which was exceptional. No sign of obvious premox but seems a bit dull and slightly lacking energy, especially in lieu of the pedigree. A slight hint of the 04 taint but come and go, almond paste, honey and mineral. Ripe yellow fruit driven palate impression, chewy, good acidity and decent finish. Lost the precision and vibrant energy. I would not be a buyer.

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

• 2009 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

  Starting to show a bit more yellow fruits but still also pear and lemon. Mineral/saline driven nose, honey, wax, white flowers, spicy spices and wet stone. Oily palate, mineral and saline, good acidity and seamless mineral driven finish. Lovely showing.

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

• 1966 Domaine Jean Grivot Vosne-Romanée 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée

  Beautiful color but it got dropped in the car and became a bit cloudy. Still very firm cork. A bit of damp cellar, smoke, sous bois, sweet raspberry essence, mushroom and earth. All tertiary as one can expect. Sweet red fruit essence, earth, mushroom, good acidity, fully integrated tannins, good length but a bit of damp cellar that is distracting. A great example of fully mature village Burgundy. I would have rated a couple points higher if no damp cellar.

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

• 1964 Château Cheval Blanc 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Fully mature and mostly tertiary, sweet dark fruits, a hint of VA, leather and sweet tobacco. Fully harmonized palate impression, sweet dark fruits, silky and polished, lovely balance and good clean finish. This would have shown better alone over a meal for two. I find some Burgundy and old Bordeaux to show so much better when served alone. I would also love to try this from a magnum.

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

We also drank Tua Rita Redigaffi and quilceda creek which were quite good.

• 2003 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Plume du Peintre 97 Points

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

  Expressive nose of cherry liqueur, framboise,, exotic sweet spices, roasted fruits, and ink. Incredible concentrated but also polished and silky, sweet intense liqueur fruits, nicely integrated tannins and long finish. The fruit is very ripe and jammy but if tasted blind, I wouldn’t be able to tell the vintage. If you are a fan of incredibly concentrated super luxury cuvee CDPs, you will fall in love with the wine. The great balance reminded me SQN but distinctively CDP although definitely not traditional.

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

We also drank a ZH VT PG which was exceptional.

• 1967 Château d'Yquem 96 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Beautiful bright amber showing a hint of red. Fully integrated harmonious nose, apricot, dry apricot, honey, butterscotch, candied ginger and sweet spices. Still showing exceptional concentration yet almost airy which I only find in D’Yquem and great Climens, lovely precision, harmonious overall expression and lovely long clean finish. I believe this is a very good bottle but not great. Despite this being my birth year wine, I prefer the 75 for its freshness and focus. Thank you Don for his generosity.

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

This was a great evening filled with laughter. My sincere appreciation goes to Don and Gary!