50th Birthday Dinner

Friends stopped by to help me celebrate my 50th. Fantastic cheese and charcuterie plate by Cheese and Chutney. Great food from Zoli's from their pizzas, bacon inflected brussel sprouts, chicken and eggplant parmesan. And of course, great friends and wine made for a great evening. Didn't really write notes so mostly impressions here.

• NV Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Cuvée Sainte Anne 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  Impressions. Bright lemon, lime, minerals. Nice middle road between linear razor focus and rich broadness. Liked this.

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• NV Perseval Farge Champagne Premier Cru Cuvée Jean-Baptiste 92 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Impressions. Opened for 1h before drinking. Rich apples, herbs, some nuts, and brioches. Great broad texture but with plenty of acid to keep the wine lively. Lovely.

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• 2008 Martin Müllen Trarbacher Hühnerberg Riesling Spätlese trocken 91 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Impressions. Opened for 1h. Tart apples, lemons, a hint of pineapple, electric minerals and acids, herbs, a bit of smokiness. Excellent weight and texture. Still tastes young and agree with others..this has a long life ahead.

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• 2014 Domaine Florent Garaudet Monthélie Sous le Cellier 90 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Monthélie

  Impressions. Opened for 1h. Concentrated apples, flowers, herbs and nice minerality. Had a broad mouthfeel that was kept lively by excellent acids. Very much enjoyed this.

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• 2014 Sandlands Chenin Blanc Napa Valley 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Impressions. Tart apples, citrus, herbs, and wet wool. Supported by excellent acids. Tasty and refreshing.

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• 1997 Renaissance Claret Prestige 93 Points

  USA, California, Sierra Foothills, North Yuba

  Impressions. Decanted for 3 hrs before serving then back into bottle. Beautiful. Crushed cherries, currants, old leather, beef broth, earth, herbs, and minerals. Elegant and lithe with crisp acids. Drinking beautifully now.

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• 2009 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Ama Estate 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Impressions. Decanted for about 1 h then back into bottles. Rich black fruits with good acids, mild amounts of baking spices, and some earth. Lovely texture with medium weight but still elegant. Richer than Scallop Shelf or Pomarium from other vintages that I've had but a beautiful wine nonetheless.

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• 2006 Bodegas Hermanos Peciña Rioja Señorío de P. Peciña Crianza 90 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja

  Impressions here. Magnum - opened 4 hrs before drinking. Still drinking really well. Dark berry fruit buoyed by nice acids, bitter chocolate, black coffee and a bit of earth. Drinking really well.

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• 2015 Domaine Romaneaux-Destezet (Hervé Souhaut) Syrah 89 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Ardèche

  Impressions. Opened 4 hrs before drinking. Initially, some reductive aromas that eventually blew off. Bright blackberries with a nice mineral and herb streak that runs right now the middle of the palate. Nice acids give the wine a cool character. Always enjoy this bottle.

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• 1996 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 94 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Brought by Meredith. Impressions. Decanted for about 30 min. Smoky grilled meats, dark berries, olives, bacon, herbs, earth. Nicely balanced. Excellent weight without being heavy. Complex and beautiful.

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• 1997 Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux 1ère Trie 20th Anniversary Release Le Haut-Lieu 95 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

  Impressions. Opened for 1 hr. Just stunning. Honeyed baked apples, orange zest, herbs, spices, a hint of wet wool and excellent minerality. Lively due to great acids - never heavy or cloying. Fantastic concentration with great balance. This still has a long life ahead.

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• 1991 Renaissance Sauvignon Blanc Estate Bottled Select Late Harvest 93 Points

  USA, California, Sierra Foothills, North Yuba

  Impressions. Sweet ripe apples, orange zest mixed with dark caramel, tea, herbs, and minerals. Excellent concentration of moderately sweet flavors on a bright, lithe frame. Lovely.

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