Luis' "Bring a very good bottle" event

11 of us gathered at Tilia for an eclectic and fun mix of wines.

• NV Bérêche et Fils Champagne Brut Réserve 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  Crisp green apple and high minerality.

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• 2004 Müller-Catoir Haardter Herrenletten Riesling Spätlese 92 Points

  Germany, Pfalz

  This riesling is in the zone. There is petrol on the nose along with stone fruit, the palate is round. There is more sweetness than I associate with a spatlese. Lychee and citrus. For me, this could use more acidity and less sweetness. But it is an outstanding riesling.

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• 2014 Heydon Estate Chardonnay The Willow Single Vineyard 89 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  I found this to be a decent if uninspiring chardonnay. This was more acidic and less fruit-forward than I would expect from Australia.

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• 2016 Rhys Alesia Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains 89 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  This is consistent with the Rhys style, elegant, understated, low oak treatment. I believe this will improve for the next 5 years. While this wine is not flashy, it is completely my style, and I'm glad I went deep on the 2014 Anderson Valley chardonnay.

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• 2013 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series 93 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  Consistent with previous notes. THis is the best Australian chardonnay I know of. The oak is considerable, and there is ample acidity and fruit. This is full-bodied.

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• 2005 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 92 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  This was supposed to be the BF BF. Nonetheless, this was a wonderfully complex and well-aged Oregon pinot. This was harmonious and didn't have the deep earth and spice that I've found in Beaux Freres.

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• 2001 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot Vintner Select Mountain Top Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  This seemed to be all about the fruit. Fairly large in style although the fruit is crisp and it seems balanced. There was a touch of earth, but mostly cherry, blackberry, cassis, and some minerality.

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• 2001 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine du Caillou Les Quartz 94 Points

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

  This label continues to deliver above its pay grade. Several 2000's of this have been spectacular, and this was just as good. Great aged Chateauneuf character.

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• 2005 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 89 Points

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

  I can sense and taste the underlying complexity, but it so youthful now and dominated by anise. Hold.

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• 2010 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 92 Points

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

  I found this to be as good as any young Pegau that I've had, and no better. I think this bottle had a touch more brett. Overall, this is distinctly Pegau and a real treat.

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• 2005 Château Calon-Ségur 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

  This was only slow o'd for a couple hours. :( Regardless, this is definitely traditional Bordeaux. Riuch and ripe, followed by cigar box, underbrush and forest floor. This relaxed some in the glass, but it really needed a 2+ hour decant or 5-10 years.

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• 2008 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Red to black fruits, with berries dominating. The profile is leaner than most Napa reds. There is nice acidity.

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• 2003 Château Branaire-Ducru 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  This wine did not stand out that much compared to the 2005 Calon Segur and 2008 Anderson's Eloge. Compared to those 2, this was nondescript. There was some graphite and red fruit. It seemed easy drinking

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• 2009 Saxum Broken Stones 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Decanted 1.5 hours and served fairly cold on purpose. I think the wine was better cold, because this is a monster wine and it is not that balanced. It is hard not to be impressed by the fruit, chocolate and earth on the nose and palate. Hate to say it, but the nose leaps out of the glass. I didn't find this jammy, just heavy. The lack of acid or any balancing flavor is apparent. I find it humorous that this is called Broken Stones and lacks minerality. I'll just have to say "Different strokes" and I can understand if others are impressed by its richness.

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• 2005 Shafer Relentless 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Poured alongside the 2009 Saxum Broken Stones, this was the more balanced of the two. This also had more pure fruit. This is very modern and tasty in a fruit-forward way.

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