The Night I Gave Out My First Perfect Score(s)

Santa Monica, CA
Tasted Sunday, April 7, 2019 by JonnyG with 377 views

Introduction

While I had high hopes for this eagerly anticipated gathering with three great friends, I didn't expect to give out my first-ever 100-point score, let alone encountering two bottles I deemed perfect.

Flight 1 - The Rhone Flight (2 Notes)

  • 1990 Les Cailloux (Lucien et André Brunel) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Centenaire 100 Points

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

    My first perfect score (little did I know that I would give a second 100-point score later this same evening!). I cannot imagine any way to improve on what this beauty delivered. It sang from the moment opened, and did not seem to need the decant it got. Irresistible aromas of flowers, kirsch, mint, fennel, lavender and other Provencal spices. On the palate, muted strawberry, fig, plum and spice notes blended perfectly with a smoky earthiness and depth of flavor that I found irresistible. Can a wine be both weighty and weightless at the same time?

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  • 1989 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 96 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    Another amazing, fresh and gorgeous bottle from a case I have been working through for a few years now. Dark cherry flavor profile, alongside smoke, game, bacon, herbs and mineral notes. Fine acidity. Excellent weight and complexity.

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Flight 2 - Two 1964 Bordeaux (2 Notes)

  • 1964 Château Montrose 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    A stunning performance, far exceeding expectations. Candied red fruit accented by a bit of orange oil. Very precise, almost seamless. The palate is medium-bodied, somewhat feminine (by which I tend to mean somewhat floral and nuanced rather than dense and powerful), but still intense in flavor and texture, with lovely balance. Some chemical notes (iodine?) on the finish did distract a bit.

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  • 1964 Château Ausone 100 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Sheer class. Only my second 100-point score (with the first being given earlier this same evening!), as I cannot imagine any way to improve on this extraordinary performance. Benefited from a 2-hour decant. No sediment. Fresh, energetic, complex and powerful. I would have been fully satisfied just to smell this wine. Hypnotic nose of red and black fruit, balsam and black olives. A weighty wine on the palate, with a stunning and complex array of additional flavors that complement the pure, clean fruit: wood smoke, forest floor, chalk, sweet orange peel, even some tea, along with mineral notes. Long, concentrated finish, with amazing grip.

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Flight 3 - A Beautiful 1963 Port (1 Note)

  • 1963 Quinta do Noval Porto Vintage 93 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    My first Quinta do Noval, a birthyear indulgence that showed beautifully. Fresh and vibrant, with dried red fruit, a touch tart, along with mild spice some tea notes. I don't see the drinking window closing anytime soon. A touch too acidic on the finish. I have two bottles of the Nacional from 1963, but this "normale" did not disappoint.

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Closing

I feel very confident in my scoring, no regrets, and hope I find more well-merited 100 pointers in time, should I be so lucky.

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