I brought this tonight with modest expectations that were clearly exceeded. Powerful stone fruit with outstanding concentration, despite being several years past its absolute peak. Still so much weight and good spice, holding on firmly with enough structure. So easy to enjoy, even if not as much as it might have been ten years ago.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Saint-Aubin 1er Cru
Fun and ripe apple and pear. Forward and charming with good+ weight and length, moderate complexity. Good breadth makes this so tasty and easy to enjoy right now.
I am not familiar with this producer, even while a big fan of the vineyard. Ripe black fruit with some red cherry. Bright freshness for its age, good heft in the middle, but then slightly short on its finish.
Fresh and dried red cherry with leather and thyme, finishing with a hint of sherry vinegar and earth. Good weight and length. Very charming old school character and textures.
Very rich and ultra ripe black fruit. Incredibly modern style makes the varietal somewhat non-descript. Tasty enough, but getting tired already from a great vintage, and not really my style of wine.
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Maturing black cherry with good+ weight but I find the ripeness too pronounced and losing charm as the fruit softens. I can understand others enjoying this very ripe style of wine more than I will.
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Black currant and berry with olive tapenade and black pepper. Very ripe, but this easily manages to retain its balance and brightness. Not exactly my style of wine, but well made and enjoyable. This should drink well for another decade.
Producer I didn't know before, and was impressed. Apple and pear with lemongrass, candied ginger and toasted brioche. Good weight and length. Impressive wine for what I'm told is its <$50 price.
Bracingly bone dry with lemon throughout. Extremely "extra brut" to me, which I found enjoyable while also a little painful. I understand how others enjoy this more.
2002 Kistler Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
I brought this tonight with modest expectations that were clearly exceeded. Powerful stone fruit with outstanding concentration, despite being several years past its absolute peak. Still so much weight and good spice, holding on firmly with enough structure. So easy to enjoy, even if not as much as it might have been ten years ago.
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2007 Kistler Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard Flawed
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain
Drinkable, but clearly very tired.
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2012 Francois Carillon Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Blanc 89 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Saint-Aubin 1er Cru
Fun and ripe apple and pear. Forward and charming with good+ weight and length, moderate complexity. Good breadth makes this so tasty and easy to enjoy right now.
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2006 Hirsch Vineyards Chardonnay 85 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Enjoyable but clearly long-in-the-tooth today, despite good density.
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2006 B Kosuge Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard 87 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
I am not familiar with this producer, even while a big fan of the vineyard. Ripe black fruit with some red cherry. Bright freshness for its age, good heft in the middle, but then slightly short on its finish.
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1996 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
Black currant, cassis and roasted meat with very sweet and charming tannins. Good+ weight and length, with good complexity.
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2001 Fiddlehead Cellars Pinot Noir Seven Twenty Eight Fiddlestix Vineyard 86 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
Mature red fruit with slightly fresher/ sweeter spice. Still holding its own.
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2003 Pax Syrah The Terraces Alder Springs Vineyard Flawed
USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
Corked.
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1988 Simi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Alexander Valley 86 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
From 3L, decanted in advance. Black currant and cherry with some cigarbox notes. Fun and enjoyable, even if nothing particularly complex.
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1991 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 87 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Pleasant enough black fruit with oak-based spice, showing so much vanilla and chocolate.
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2001 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 91 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Sweet and savory black cherry with some kirsch and braised meat. This is almost jammy, but not quite, with good+ weight and a bright (enough) finish.
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2000 Bodega Numanthia Toro Numanthia Flawed
Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
Bottle was well stored since release, but wine was so tired and oxidized.
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2000 Château Bellisle Mondotte Flawed
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Corked.
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2001 Faustino Rioja I Gran Reserva 89 Points
Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
Fresh and dried red cherry with leather and thyme, finishing with a hint of sherry vinegar and earth. Good weight and length. Very charming old school character and textures.
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2004 Bodegas El Nido Jumilla Clio
Spain, Murcia, Jumilla
Very rich and ultra ripe black fruit. Incredibly modern style makes the varietal somewhat non-descript. Tasty enough, but getting tired already from a great vintage, and not really my style of wine.
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2002 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm 87 Points
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Maturing black cherry with good+ weight but I find the ripeness too pronounced and losing charm as the fruit softens. I can understand others enjoying this very ripe style of wine more than I will.
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2006 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Black currant and berry with olive tapenade and black pepper. Very ripe, but this easily manages to retain its balance and brightness. Not exactly my style of wine, but well made and enjoyable. This should drink well for another decade.
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NV André Clouet Champagne Grande Réserve Brut
France, Champagne
From magnum at least 5 years after release. Ripe apple and berry notes throughout. Fleshy character with rounded textures. Good weight, good now.
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NV Michel Turgy Champagne Grand Cru Réserve Selection Brut Blanc de Blancs 90 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Producer I didn't know before, and was impressed. Apple and pear with lemongrass, candied ginger and toasted brioche. Good weight and length. Impressive wine for what I'm told is its <$50 price.
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NV Agrapart Champagne Grand Cru Terroirs Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Bracingly bone dry with lemon throughout. Extremely "extra brut" to me, which I found enjoyable while also a little painful. I understand how others enjoy this more.
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