Tasting Group Holiday Party
Lee Road
Tasted Wednesday, December 17, 2014 by Loren Sonkin with 587 views
Introduction
Last night was our final tasting of the year. We had talked about doing a bucket list tasting, but sadly that proved to be well beyond our budgets (have you priced a 1959 DRC DRC lately?). Robert stepped up and offered to share some treasure from his cellar. We all chipped in with cash and a few more wines and had a great tasting. The wines were opened a bit ahead of time (not too long) to breath as we went thru them one by one. Then we revisited the leftovers. This was not blind. Breads, cheeses and a couple of pizzas were added.
Flight 1 (14 Notes)
Closing
There was also a bottle of 2012 SonkinCellars Persona opened in there somewhere as well.
It was a great time. Telling stories, comparing the wines, trying to decide who was worse - Johnny Football or the Browns defense, and lots of laughing. I think this is the first of an annual tradition. Thanks to Robert for organizing and stepping up big time.
Happy Holidays to all!
1995 de Venoge Champagne Brut Louis XV 91 Points
France, Champagne
Beautiful crystal bottle. The nose has a slight caramel note with lemon-honey candy. A bit tight but opens quickly. On the palate, there is a sweet tart note. Green apples with a nutty finish. This may a be a bit past prime, but quite enjoyable and a festive start!
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1991 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc De L'Orée Flawed
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
This was recently bought at a Heritage Auction. The color was significantly darker than the other bottles, so I was worried about it. Rightfully so. The nose shows this is oxidized. Slightly "sherried" notes on the palate. Its a goner. Bummer.
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2006 Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
An excellent bottle that got some raves from some. I hadn't had this vintage before, but it did not seem to have the depth that I remember. I used to buy this back when I still bought white Burgs and remember it being more precise with a lot more complexity. Still, it has a nice golden color. Fuji apples on the nose. More minerals than fruit on the palate, but still quite nice. I would like a bit more acidity. Of course, I am nit picking as this is still and outstanding bottle of chardonnay.
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1991 Henri Jayer Nuits-Saint-Georges Flawed
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits-Saint-Georges
Robert offered this up and I was excited about it. Not too many chances to drink Jayer wine anymore. Of course, this probably needed to be drunk up long ago. And yes, this was DOA. Tasted maderized with hints of oranges in addition to the oxidation. Not off to a great start.
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2007 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Lou opened this one as a bonus Pinot. I mentioned this was a nice Pinot for those who don't really love Pinot. Purple ruby in color. The nose has black cherries and root beer. Very primary and young. Ripe black cherry fruit and plums. Enough acidity to carry the wine. Very hedonistic wine.
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1990 Château Latour à Pomerol 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
My first comment said "this is the shit!". What a great showing for this bottle. I have to believe this was at peak. I know this vintage is not particularly supposed to be great for this wine, but this bottle was awesome. The nose is great. Earthy with cherries and black cherries. A bit of cigar tobacco and dust. On the palate, this is layered and complex. Vibrant mature fruit interwoven with earthy funk and wet tobacco flavors. Nice balance. Long finish.
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2000 Château Lynch-Bages 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Great wine, but its best days are still ahead. Going back to it a couple of hours later, it was even better and more opened. The nose has cassis, coffee, tobacco and leather. Intense and concentrated. Nice balance. It is a powerful wine. Loads of fruit, some earthiness and tobacco. Very deep. Long finish. B2K is taking forever to reopen IMO and this is a prime example. Be patient. A real treat to try now though.
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2004 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Very nice showing for this wine. Another wine I had not had in a while and don't remember trying this vintage. Much more refined and feminine than I remember. The nose has cassis, black cherries, while no eucalyptus there is a nice minty component along with a bit of oak still showing. Very soft texture. Nice acidity though. Lots of fruit on the palate, mostly red fruit with some medium tannins. Nice finish. Very food friendly and elegant. While the crowd was mixed on this everyone really liked while some had it as their WOTN.
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2000 Viader 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
I have been a fan of 2000 Napa for the last couple of years. While I was quite disappointed for a long time, they really have improved in the bottle and drink quite well. A very "Bordeaux" vintage IMO. This bottle was no exception. It seems to be just hitting its stride. The nose has cassis, cherries, tobacco, some slight bell pepper and a bit of chocolate shavings. Complex and deep. The palate has slight tannins and plenty of cassis and dark cherry fruit. Nice texture. Long finish. Seemed to get slightly better with air. Still, I doubt it improves from here. No hurry based on this bottle, but no reason not to enjoy it.
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2002 Rudd Oakville Estate Proprietary Red 95 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Wow. Great showing for this. I had it at 94 until I went and revisited it late in the night. Even better. Still, just a baby that needs more time. This is an intense monster of a wine. Inky purple in color. The nose has that Rutherford dust. Cassis, oak, smoke, blueberries and tobacco. Great lush texture. Firm tannins. It is very deep but the layers are too young to delineate. Finish goes on forever. Quite a treat to try. Hope to revisit in five more years or more.
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2006 Joseph Phelps Insignia 95 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
My WOTN. This is drinking quite young but with air it really kicks butt. A sample at the end of the night was even better. Inky purple in color. The nose has cassis, coffee grounds and pencil lead. Lush texture that makes it hard not to guzzle the wine. Tight complex layering. Great balance. Long finish. Hold these a few more years if you can.
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2008 Opus One 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
This is a wine that sometimes get dissed by hipster wine lovers. Fact is, this is a great wine whose pricing is not as out of line as it used to be. It drinks California, but does have some Bordeaux qualities. The nose has cassis, cedar, spice and some licorice. There is a fair amount of oak but I think that integrates easily with some time. It is feminine and layered on the palate, but still has plenty of power. Long finish. An excellent wine that should improve a bit from here.
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1977 Quarles Harris Porto Vintage 90 Points
Portugal, Douro, Porto
Ruby in color. The nose has an interesting tea note that I don't usually find in Port. Also a bit of cocoa and raisins that are more common. Medium bodied. Smooth and integrated, I wouldn't wait a lot longer on these. There is a bit if complexity. A nice way to finish the night.
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2008 Duckhorn Vineyards The Discussion 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
My second time being able to try this one (someone brought one to a party last Labor Day). It is a Bordeaux blend. Still very young, but quite a pretty wine. Cherries, cassis, spice, sandal wood and tobacco on the nose. Juicy acidity. Nice texture. Cherries and tobacco with some spice on the palate. Long finish. Hold for a while.
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