Christmas Eve at Eric and Deb's

Well...as an Eastern European Jew, i have not celebrates Christmas eve that often... in fact - this was my FIRST one :) and to do so in a company of friends, with great food and wine??
And yes - there was the obligatory amount of kosher pork and ham and cheese - to make this one stick :) Thanks to Eric for the cooking - the food was delicious and the cheese/ham plate...well... just hit the spot.
The Barolo was the obvious WOTN - though all the wines showed well - and even better than well. Mike Officer's Carlisle wines keep showing their depth and world-class fruit - the Syrah stood tall, showing wonderful Northern Rhone profile.
The Rioja was more divisive: though we all saw it's beauty, the style of the wine is not everyone's pleasure. the expressive nose leads one to believe that the mid will be richer and deeper than it is - with the mid reminding one of a lighter barolo from the 80's. I, personally, love the style and think that this house provides an amazing opportunity. but let us get to the wines!

• 2008 Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Premier Cru Terre de Vertus 92 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Darn it... another champagne i like... this is getting to be a trend!! fresh and floral with vanilla and toast on the nose. the mid is full of baked apples and spices(cinnamon and clove?) - apple pie comes to mind. green apples on the lively finish. YUM

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• 1998 Bodegas Hermanos Peciña Rioja Señorío de P. Peciña Gran Reserva 93 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  I remember tasting this at the Bowler tasting and thinking "i need to buy this" - and yet i only bought 1!! very classic profile - old world and smooth as silk. Leather meat and spices on the nose - with time more sweet cherry and vanilla, some soy. light mid with iron and savory notes dominating - but cherry is very present as well. back palate shows some tobacco, smooth and integrated. long silky finish. May not be everyone's thing - but this is what I love in Rioja.

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• 2005 Carlisle Syrah Dry Creek Valley 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

  sweet plums, violets, ripe black berries, funky (northern rhone) nose, herbs, pepper, a touch of menthol, sweet spices (cinnamon?) BIG middle, ripe and rich with plums and berries, very fresh with excellent acidity. touch of heat on the finish (but at 15.99% this is amazingly balanced)

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• 1989 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric dël Fiasc 96 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  wow. no i meant WOW. mushrooms, ripe cherry, roses, soy, tea-leaves... just an amazing nose of this wine...and the mid is full of ripe cherry and tea, earthy and a lovely tannic grip that is still present. excellent acidity. unending finish. still feels young - just a great wine and a pleasure to taste. easily WOTN for me.

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this was a "who needs dessert wine - lets get more red" moment.

• 2010 Domaine de la Janasse Côtes du Rhône Les Garrigues 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  blackberry, cranberry nose. very much a ripe grenache. herbs layered over fruit. mid is ripe, sweet berry, almost blueberry port - but dry. good grip on the finish with refreshing acidity. serious wine - and easily better than many a CDP.

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Thanks again to all involved! and I really do hope we can make this into a tradition!