Blowout BYO

The gang of 11 met to sample the famous burger at a local high-end establishment. Just two courses (grilled octopus followed by the burger) so we had to make the food linger so we could get through 13 fabulous wines. Really a great showing by both the food and the wine (but mostly the wine)

• 1988 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Flawed

  France, Champagne

  Flawed/Oxidized. This was the only failure of the evening. Good to get it over with quickly.

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• 2011 Domaine Coffinet-Duvernay Chassagne-Montrachet Les Blanchots Dessous 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet

  Very tasty white burg. Delicate yet very flavorful. Some peach/nectarine flavors with a slightly sweet oak background that doesn’t dominate. Surprising wine for me.

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• 2010 Emilio Rojo Ribeiro 91 Points

  Spain, Galicia, Ribeiro

  I found this to be a highly flavorful, very dry white with overtones somewhat like a hermitage blanc. Lots of flavor elements rising and falling with some citrus, stone and a hint of saline. Serious wine here.

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• 2010 Dominio do Bibei Ribeira Sacra Lacima 92 Points

  Spain, Galicia, Ribeira Sacra

  I wasn’t familiar with this wine but it complemented the food very nicely with good acidity, spice and minerality accompanying the smooth red fruit. Did see the similarity that has been noticed with a lighter style burgundy like a village Volnay.

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• 2007 Descendientes de José Palacios Bierzo Corullon Las Lamas 90 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo

  Nice cherry wine with some mineral backbone and a floral touch but not quite singing and I’m frankly not sure if or when it will really take off. If I had a bunch of these, I’d open one a year to see if they were going to get any better.

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• 1995 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Good solid chianti but no fireworks. Red fruit and some earth tones but a bit short on body and finish. Capable wine.

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• 1991 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Text book example of this wine. Very smooth and balanced. Nice spiciness makes me think this could stand up to Asian food. Consistent with previous examples of this wine and maybe now is a good time to polish these off before they begin to lose steam. Restrained power led it to be slightly overwhelmed by some of the bigger wines served tonight but I am virtually always happy to drink any vintage of this wine.

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• 2011 Montepeloso Nardo Toscana IGT

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  NS – not quite ready for prime time. Didn't taste at all like the wonderful '01

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• 2001 Montepeloso Nardo Toscana IGT 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Excellent wine. Drinking beautifully now (as is the case with many super tuscans from this vintage). Red fruit, cassis, a touch of orange peel and a silky salinity that made it pair beautifully with the grilled octopus. Try this red with briny seafood and see the magic that happens.

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• 2005 Clos Erasmus Priorat 96 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  I’m a fool for Clos Erasmus and this is my second favorite vintage after the 04. I have never been even slightly disappointed by a bottle of either vintage. Red fruits, fresh flowers, sandalwood, sweet tannins, ash and edgy minerals bursting at the seams with an incredible vibrancy yet restrained power. Really wakes you up.

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• 2008 Colgin Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This is a special wine that might still be a touch young. Delicious with incredible grip and presence but still needs some time for all the different flavor profiles to come together. Every spectrum of fruit flavor (red, blue, black, purple) all could be found here along with some licorice and clove. Tannins not quite smooth yet. Drink now if you like your wines big and raspy. Otherwise, wait another 5 years. Might merit a higher score then.

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• 2002 Dalla Valle Maya 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Absolutely was bowled over by this wine and my score could be conservative. Like a dark vortex of strength and flavor that just pulled you in and wouldn’t let go. Most impressive on the palate with deep complex black fruit flavors with some tar, graphite, mocha, and dried flowers. I kept coming back to this wine. I have had different vintages of this over the years but none impressed me as much as this one. Of course it will last for years and though it may change, have no hesitation to open one now.

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• NV Jacques Selosse Champagne Exquise Sec 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  This was a semi sweet sparkler with a good amount of acid, not so much fruit. Big bold flavors but the sugar and the fruit were not perfectly integrated (yet). Impressive, if not delicious.

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