Dinner at McDave's

Lindsey, McDave and I met at Dave's for a fun and indulgent night of eating and wine tasting.

• 1975 Heitz & Knod Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese 90 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  (12/2/2015)

  Popped and decanted for floaties as the cork started to push and then came out in five or more pieces. Dark yellow gold color showing its 40 year age. Any residual sugar once there is know longer detectable and this is basically a lovely dry wine. The wine still has plenty of acidity to provide balance and possibly age further but I'd drink these now. There is also still fruit in the wine which is citrus range but neither too sweet nor too sour. Everything is just melded together in a nice tasty package.

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• 2003 Château Sociando-Mallet 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

  (12/2/2015)

  Popped and slow oxed for 12 hours before dinner. Based on other 2003 Bordeaux experiences I've had it's hard to believe that Sociando pulled off 13% alcohol and superb balance this vintage. This wine is densely packed with earth and cedar flavors and balanced with rich cassis fruit. The only sign of the vintage is that this vintage lacks the telltale Sociando rusticity. This wine in ready to drink now with fine tannin but is still gaining complexity and could get better over the next five years. Well done.

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• 2008 Château Pavie Macquin

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  (12/2/2015)

  Popped and slow oxed for 12 hours before serving with dinner. As others have mentioned this a very modern Bordeaux. It's big and boisterous on the palate with in your face jammy dark fruits. However, it's also clunky and monolithic and not as balanced or fun to drink as the 03 Sociando poured beside it. No one went for a second glass. This one just isn't by cup of Bordeaux.

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• 2003 Château Doisy-Védrines 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  (12/2/2015)

  Popped and poured. Another great showing for this wine. The Botrytis is very evident on the palate along with basking spice and orange marmalade. The wine is sweet without being cloying as there is sufficient acidity that provides balance. It a touch heavy and viscous and lacking the airy quality of a great Sauternes. It's still a darn good bottle and we polished it off quickly without much trouble.

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The 75 Auslese was a pleasant exploration but I like them a bit younger. It was interesting that the 08 Pavie Maccquin was heavier, riper, and less balanced that the 2003 Sociando. This demonstrates that some producers did just fine with the scorching hot weather in 2003. There was also another great showing for 2003 Doisy Vedrines.