Dinner with CS

I have been talking with CS a lot about wine. It was apparent quite soon that he is really into the good stuff. At a tasting, acouple of months ago he roposed to share some of his good stuff with me. I was very excited - naturally - becuas I got the possibility to taste stuff that is way over my wine budget. In the end we were a group of eight persons and had a remarkable evening with nice food and a lot of wines, all provided by CS. What a fantastic generosity!
All the wines were served straight from the bottle which I considered a bit problematic as most of them were quite young. Decanting cetainly would have helped. I didn't take notes at the table so my notes are from memory and very spotty (I am a very inexperienced taster, never had wines of this pedigry and it was a log evening with lot of wines).
Wines were not served blind but he tried to hide the label so we could do some guessing abut the specifics. Knowing the preferences of CS in combination with eveything else I did quite well :-).

• 2000 Cantine Giacomo Ascheri Barolo Sorano

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  We started with this Barolo from the bottle. Based on the preferences of CS and the shape of the bottle in combination with the nice color (light red with small hints of orange) I immediately guessed young Nebbiolo. Powerful tannins and beatiful structure. Way too young but still very satisfying. My second WOTN.

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• 2001 Domaine La Bouïssiere Gigondas

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas

  Wow, this was powerful. Southern Rhone was kind of an easy guess (considering the circumstances). Loads of mouthstaining tannins and powerful fruit. A bit of heat on the palate. Needs years but will be quite satisfying. Very good.

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• 2002 Quinta do Crasto Douro

  Portugal, Douro

  After the Rhone monsters, this was kind of difficult to taste. Cool and lean with good acidity, should be a very nice food wine in two years. I liked it very much.

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• 1997 Cafaggio Villa Cafaggio Cortaccio Toscana IGT

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Holy cow, this is extracted. It literally stained the glass with big windows. CS told us that this was getting high praise from Parker but it was too much for me. Heavy tannins and sweet fruit. I actually guessed Cabernet Sauvignon but I have honestly not really an idea what put me into that direction :-). This is obviously a very well made wine but not my taste.

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• 1995 Tenuta di Nozzole Il Pareto Toscana IGT

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  This was like a breath of fresh air after the Cortaccio. I would have never guessed that this is the same grape. Actually, my first guess was Sangiovese. This is of beatiful color (much lighter then the Cortaccio) with good acidity. Still very young considering the amount of tannins. It threw loads of sediment and needs some time but was very elegant. Very very good. It developed over the course of the evening.

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• 1994 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  This was my first high class Bordeaux ever. It was a very powerful wine still very young. We discussed if the powerful tannins will integrate. My impression was that this wine is just a lot too young. Try again in a couple of years. Of course very good wine but no epiphany for me.

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• 1978 Château Léoville Las Cases

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  This is the oldest wine that I have drunk in my short wine tasting 'career'. It was obvious that this is older wine. Light color and subdued nose. On the palate it was elegant, red berries, godd acidity, fully resolved tannins. Actually it dried out a bit in the good finish. Very interesting and nice. This will not improve, I feel. Very good.

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• 2001 Domaine Jamet Côte-Rôtie

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  I actually guessed northern Rhone Syrah, although I never had a Cote Rotie. Far too young, stinky nose and powerful tannins but behind that one could find beautiful syrah fruit and great structure. My WOTN. Do not touch for many years!

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After the Gigondas we had a very nice 2001 CdP but I can't remeber the producer. As if this all was not enough I had a glass of a very good PX at the end.
A great evening! Thanks again for your generosity, CS!