Frog, ZH, Bouchard, Krug, Sauzet, Fargues

E. 4th street
Tasted Monday, January 25, 2016 by Loren Sonkin with 252 views

Introduction

One of the great things about wine Boards is meeting new people. This has happened many times over the last almost 20 years. Last Saturday, my wife and I met another couple whom we met on thru the Wine Boards. Dave and Patty met us at a favorite place in downtown Cleveland. We e-mailed a bit and decided rather than a wine theme, we would bring a variety of wines. It was a fun evening and the first of what i hope will be many dinners with them.

Flight 1 (7 Notes)

All of the wines were on the tables. This is the general progression we went as we ate dinner but we did revisit along the way too.

NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée 94 Points

France, Champagne

What can you say. Its a classic. Sadly, my last bottle in the cellar and I don't know that I will be paying the current tariff for more. The nose is very clean. No oxidation. Pear, slight toast, slight smoke and lots of minerality. On the palate, there is a slight red fruit note, then that gets replaced by minerals and citrus. Great acidity. Lively wine. Going back later in the night, it had rounded out a bit but still had great cut. Finish goes on forever. Very food friendly.

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2007 Etienne Sauzet Chevalier-Montrachet

France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru

I am not going to score this one. It appeared to be a proper bottle. No sign of pre-mox. No sign of tca. Yet, it was just hard as nails. Golden in color. The nose has some nice lemons and minerals. A bit of lime too. Also some oak, but it needs a lot of coaxing. On the palate, it has nice acidity. The texture is good, but where is the flavor. The finish brings out some nice lemon/acidity. We gave it a couple of hours or more and it really never budged. Usually even low level TCA comes out by then. It was enjoyable but given what it should have, could have been, it left us wanting. I suppose shut down is an optimistic way of looking at it as there were no obvious flaws.

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2002 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Brand 94 Points

France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

This bottle was singing. Deep golden in color. It had been opened about an hour before consuming and was right there. The nose has a very, very slight diesel note. Lots of minerality. Some saline/sea air. Also some slight lime peel. On the palate, this is unctuous, and slightly sweet. Well within reason to work with food. Great acidity. It was tremendous with my Vindaloo Cauliflower. Balanced. Long finish. Seemed to improve all night long. No hurry, but not sure it will get better from here. A long life ahead though.

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2002 Bouchard Père et Fils Clos Vougeot 91 Points

France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

Again, I feel a bit let down by Burgundy. This is very good, but given the vintage and age, I would have hoped for a bit more. Ruby in color with some purple. The nose has nice cherries, slight vanilla. Clean, no funk. On the palate, strawberries and lighter cherries. An underlying charred earth notes. Good balance, but seems a bit listless. I bought this in France and carried it back. A victim of high expectations.

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2009 SonkinCellars Persona

USA, California

I won't score this and obviously am biased. I believe this is now entering its peak period. No hurry and a decade or so left IMO. The nose is really great. Competes with any Syrah on the nose. Dark cherries, black raspberries, black pepper and slight earthiness. A step back on the palate which is reasonable. It has a lot of red fruit showing and some purple fruit. Really nice streak of acidity works well at the table. Nice finish. I know I am biased, and of course, this was made for my tastes, but I do try to be objective. We didn't make much, but if you own one, I would certainly open a bottle soon.

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2013 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog 97 Points

USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

Dave mentioned that he could bring a Cayuse and I (half jokingly) said, I would love to try the Frog. I had only had it once. It turned out Dave was finally getting some allocated after years on the list and he offered to bring one to try. Wow. Thanks! Purple in color. This was pop and pour and was just fascinating to watch as this changed and morphed. I would recommend a lot of air, or better 7 more years in the cellar, but I have to admit, watching this wine change was very geeky. The nose has lots of boysenberries, some dark cherries. With air a streak of black olives emerges. A faint whiff of burnt rubber goes in and out. There is also this odd streak of celery. Stronger in my glass than my wife's, but present. Not good or bad, just unusual. It is better on the palate than the nose (and that was great). Very deep. Wonderful texture. Despite being a wall of fruit and tannin, it unwinds in the glass and has great balance and complexity. Great acidity as it works with and does not dominate the food. Long finish. Obviously needs time but a great treat.

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2001 Château de Fargues 94 Points

France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

Pop and pour, this probably should have been opened as it got better with air. Golden in color. The nose is honeyed with nice orange peel and slight ginger. On the palate, this is viscous and sweet but not overtly. Somewhat complex. A great wine, but I had again, hoped for slightly better considering the vintage. I know that's greedy. It was outstanding and delicious. Probably everything I thought it was on release.

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