Friday Night Double Blind Tasting $40+

• 2010 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée les Grenaches de Pierre 93 Points

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

  Dark purple core with bright magenta rim; concrete, dusty, big, extracted, ripe, brooding, iron; large, lots of tannin but not overbearing, intense Grenache, purple fruit, not figgy or overripe, tart fruit, structured and powerful, cassis, jam; obviously noble but not in a Rayas sort of way; 93 now but definitely improving with some cellaring.

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• 2012 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 40th Anniversary

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Midnight core with thin bright purple rim; jammy, ripe, sweet, cassis, blackberry jam, pencil lead, deep; sappy palate, thick, sweet cassis, some cedar, pencil lead; needs 5 years; promising.

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• 2009 G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Rose crimson to the rim; dense, medicinal, red cherry, roses, sweet fruit; starting to show some tannin, good mid, medicinal red cherry, good density on the palate as well; delicious and a great price.

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• 2010 Michel Magnien Gevrey-Chambertin Les Seuvrées Vieilles Vignes

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin

  See through ruby to rim; some watermelon, dominating sulfur, sour cherry, white rock, roses; leaner, hard red fruit, cherry, roses, longer finish; tasty though not much Gevrey fat.

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• 2007 Vietti Barolo Castiglione Flawed

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Corked

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• 2009 Passopisciaro Sicilia Contrada Chiappemacine

  Italy, Sicily, Sicilia

  See through rose with pink rim; strawberry, light cherry, some cranberry, pumice; floral, soft, sweet fruit, sour cherry and cranberry, stony; delicious, drinkable now but needs more time to really show its best- how long I do not know.

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• 2006 M. Chapoutier Saint-Joseph Les Granits Flawed

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Saint-Joseph

  Corked

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• 1995 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Aged, dark crimson with orange hues in the rim; aged, soy, dried leaves, clay/iron, orangey; fooled me for Bordeaux at first; recommend pop and pour as the air quickly hurts it.

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• 2006 Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Dark crimson core with orange hues in the rim; fennel, charcoal, leather, dried, aged; soy, Italian, leaner, blood, orange oil, rose; an awkward bottle.

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• 2010 Uccelliera Rosso di Montalcino

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino

  Dark crimson core with lighter rim; strawberry, watermelon, youthful, slight candy, tannic structure is not in your face, rose, cherry, dried fruit; wow I'm really looking forward to the Brunello if this was this good.

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• 2010 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Rouge

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

  Very pale lake with light rim; slight confected note, strawberry, vanilla, cherry, integrated, noble, white rock; fresh, bright, ethereal, whit rock, sour cherry, strawberry, long finish; delicious.

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• 2005 Domaine Dujac Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Aux Combottes

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru

  Darker garnet, see through; candied watermelon, sulfur, tar, petroleum, dense, structured, currant, stemmy; dense mouthfeel, tannic, huge; way too young but if aged I'd wonder about the tannin possibly outlasting the fruit.

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• 2005 Renato Corino Barolo Vigneto Rocche

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Dark core with orange crimson rim, sediment; classic Nebbiolo, tar, roses, high toned oak, cherry, menthol, mint; classically structured, tannic, some sandalwood; good.

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Lots of interesting wines but the Drouhin was probably the favorite. I liked the Passopisciaro quite a bit.