Monthly group Holiday tasting

Everyone brought it big to this holiday gathering. Please forgive the brevity of my notes, there was a lot of wine flowing.

• NV Launois Pere et Fils Champagne Grand Cru Veuve Clemence Brut Blanc de Blancs 92 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  At a holiday party, this was my favorite champagne from a large selection. Great complexity, slightly powerful, great balance. On top of that, I think the bottle is pretty. I will seek this out.

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• NV Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Grande Réserve 89 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  A few tastings of this have been good, but not as good as the notes of some of my friends. Nice entry-level NV.

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• 1976 Martin Ray Pinot Noir Winery Lake Napa Valley 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I got a small pour of this at a holiday tasting. This was Burgundian. Rocks and red fruit. Definitely well-integrated and complex, but I would not have guessed the age or that it was from an American producer.
  
  Edit - I initially put my note on the wrong wine and scored it 93, without knowing that my 2 wine comrades both gave it a 93 as well from the same bottle. I think this is a testament that we all know how to call it.

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• 2007 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru

  A delightful aged Chablis that is performing well right now. This went great with raw tuna.

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• 2005 Fratelli Brovia Barolo Villero 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  I drank a small glass of this at a tasting. I struggle with Italian wines, but this baby seemed ready to go and well-integrated. Nice old-world character and still having some bright red fruit. Tannins were relaxed but present.

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• 2004 Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Consumed a small glass at a tasting. Surprisingly well-integrated and did not need food to enjoy this. Typical bright red fruit and accessible tannins.

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• 2009 Domaine Dujac Morey St. Denis 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey St. Denis

  I drank a small glass of this at a tasting. I found this to be quite young, good potential, relatively firm tannin and darker red fruit. This was almost brooding.

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• 1995 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  Consumed a small glass of this at a tasting. Quite Bordeaux in nature, especially the nose. Good complexity. My only gripe is the palate seemed a bit thin, but isn't that true for a lot of Bordeaux as well. One of the highlights of this tasting.

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• 2007 Sine Qua Non Syrah Labels 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Another chance at this wine, again at a tasting party. I'm scoring it one point less, probably because I didn't get to spend as much time with it. Quite flashy, red, black, blue fruit with vanilla and blueberry being the strongest flavor. This is definitely full-flavored and full-bodied. It is slightly sweet.

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• 2010 Saxum Broken Stones 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Consumed a glass of this at a tasting party. The bottle was decanted for about 7 hours. I did not get a lot out of this beyond pepper and firm tannin. The gentlemen who brought the bottle agreed and said it reminded him of Petit Verdot. I believe that is an accurate description for this bottle. It was clearly a well-made wine, just maybe it was in a shut-down state. I've had this wine before in earlier vintages and it has been wonderful.

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• 2007 Delas Frères Hermitage Les Bessards 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  A 3 hour decant, brought this to a tasting and consumed a good-sized glass. This wine is big. I believe it is also modern in style. I tasted it alongside the 2007 SQN Labels and 2010 Saxum Broken Stones. I believe it was in the same category and probably was the winner tonight. Deep, dark, rich. I would like to see how this ages. I hope it calms down and gains some balance. Hedonistic right now.

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• 2000 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 94 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Consumed a good-sized glass from a magnum at a tasting. This is a great Pegau. Funky, not overly so. Great fruit, great earth, tar, forest floor, minerals. A real treat.

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• 1999 Château Léoville Barton 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  I got a small pour of this from a magnum at a tasting party. This is a well-integrated Bordeaux, not that flashy, good quality.

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• 2009 Château Rieussec 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  This was definitely younger, but good complexity. On the sweet side. This drank well today and I believe it will be a wow wine in 15 years.

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