Dinner with Friends

Chris and Renee's
Tasted Sunday, February 7, 2016 by Loren Sonkin with 419 views

Introduction

Friends of Jane and I, moved over to the other side of town. This was their first dinner party in the new home. Too much food, too much wine and just the right amount of great friendship. Not much has changed since their old home. We sampled all the wines with a vast array of Mediterranean styled appetizers. Than sat down to a great dinner revisiting the reds.

Flight 1 (11 Notes)

NV L. Aubry Fils Champagne Premier Cru Brut 88 Points

France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

Deep golden in color. The nose has nice green apple with a bit of smoke. Also a fair amount of oxidation. I did not get the disgorged date). This was a Premier Cru bottle. Despite that, it still drank well on the palate. Fresh and baked apples. Smoke. Good cut. Nice finish. Worked well with Mediterranean apps.

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1990 André Beaufort Champagne Brut Millésimé 92 Points

France, Champagne

My second time trying this wine, I thought this bottle a step up. Michael brought it, left over from his anniversary party. Light golden in color. The nose is nice with lots of minerality. A slight Vernor's note with ginger. Nice mousse. Just a hint of oxidation. On the palate, very nice minerality. This bottle seemed a bit fresher than the prior bottle. At least I didn't notice any oxidation this time. Very food friendly.

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2010 Bedrock Wine Co. Cuvée Karatas 92 Points

USA, California, Sonoma County

Blown away by this. Had it once a few years ago and I thought it over the hill. This bottle was fresh and lively. The nose has peaches, floral notes and great minerality. Wonderful texture. Big. Fresh on the palate. Lots of peaches with a slight bitter pit (in a good way). Nice balance. Food friendly. IIRC, this is a Bordeaux blend. Way above my expectations.

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2013 Carlisle The Derivative White 91 Points

USA, California, Sonoma County

55% Sonoma Valley Semillon, Monte Rosso Vineyard
16% Sonoma Valley Muscadelle, Pagani Ranch
16% Russian River Valley Colombard and Muscadelle, Mancini Ranch
13% Russian River Valley Palomino and Muscadelle, Saitone Ranch
An interesting white blend. Light yellow/gold in color. The nose has lemons, some fig and a bit of soap. On the palate, medium bodied. It is a round wine but enough acidity to carry the food. Lemony flavors. Not as mineral driven as I remembered a prior vintage but quite nice. Good finish.

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1994 Merryvale Profile 93 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley

Great showing and for many the WOTN. This seems to be just at peak and no sign for this bottle of being old or past peak. Purple/ruby in color and shimmering bright. The nose is gorgeous. Complex and deep. Cassis, cigar tobacco, slight clean barn notes, dark cherries and a slight roasted herb note. Full bodied. Nice texture. Not quite at that level on the palate, but still outstanding. Cassis, dark cherries, some tobacco notes. I would have expected a tad more layering but this was more a constant swirl of flavors. delicious. Worked great at the dinner table. Impressive showing.

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1992 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 95 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley

For me the WOTN. Others maybe not although everyone liked it. Just love the wine. Purple in color, slightly flat. The nose is great. Cassis, saddle leather, a bit of roasted/jammy red fruit but not over blown. Lovely succulent texture. On the palate, complex layers of fruit; cassis and dark cherries along with leather and warm moist earth. Great balance. long finish. Awesome with my food. Just a wow for me. Made me stop and take notice. 24 years from vintage is a very good if not vintage of the century. Awesome showing.

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2009 Clarendon Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Brookman 92 Points

Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, Clarendon

Much different from the other reds on the table. Younger and Australian. Purple in color. The nose is slightly rasiny. Kirsch and some roasted herbs. On the palate, I think it is much better. Cassis, some black pepper, licorice. Medium firm tannins. Juicy acidity. Nice finish. With all the old wines on the table, this had a certain freshness that was welcome. A little went a long way for me. My wife loved it though.

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2000 Château Pontet-Canet 92 Points

France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

Opened 10 hours before dinner. Decanted for sediment about an hour before we consumed it. Needs a bit more time but all that air got it close. Purple in color. The nose has a nice Bordeaux funk on it. Also cassis and some cigar. On the palate, great texture. It has a tight complexity as it unwound in the glass. Ripe but not real rip fruit (as compared to the post 2005 PC vintages IMO). Its getting there, but I would still wait on this for a few more years at least. Potential to improve a point or two.

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1997 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve 94 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley

Bought on release at Sam's Club back in the day. After buying I tasted other bottles and found them over oaked, so this went to the back of the line. At almost 20, it was time to check it out. Seems to be in a great space now. Opened about 10 hours before dinner. Decanted for sediment on hour prior. Ruby/purple in color. The nose has an initial stink that blew off after an hour or so. Cassis, tobacco, some dried wood, some forest floor and slight barnyard. On the palate, great texture. Wonderful complexity. Layers of fruit and earth. Still a voluptuous texture but good cut. The oak remnants are mostly on the nose and texture. Worked great with dinner. Nice finish.

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2000 Château Ferrand Lartigue 91 Points

France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

Michael had brought this which he bought on release. Another B2K taking forever to come around. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has cherries, dark cherries and brown tobacco. On the palate, this is young but there is a nice complexity. Firm tannins. It unwinds a bit in the glass. Still could use some time or air. This was pop and pour. Still, quite delicious tonight.

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1992 Graham Porto Vintage Malvedos 90 Points

Portugal, Douro, Porto

A nice finish to the evening. Ruby/purple in color. The nose has nice cherries and a slight raisin note. Smooth on the palate. No heat. Very slightly sweet. A lovely finish to a great dinner.

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