Some wines poured blind

Maison Cafe in Dana Point, CA
Tasted Thursday, October 10, 2019 by Frank Murray III with 197 views

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

  • 2014 Marie Courtin Champagne Eloquence Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut

    France, Champagne

    Disgorged 04/2018. This bottle showed a little leaner than the past bottles, especially when it was colder, but as it warmed, the flavor really shines through. Stony, citrusy lemon peel, green apple. Have about an ounce left of the wine, which at this point should be still...will try and post a final impression.

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  • 2014 Famille Moussé Champagne Special Club Extra Brut Rosé de Saignée Les Bouts de la Ville

    France, Champagne

    Disgorged 02/2018, 2 g/l dosage, 100% Meunier. Been many months since I opened one of these. It took last night's bottle some time to uncoil, and it started off initially with some odd aromas, which a few guys at the table called out. It finally evolved, showing blood orange and strawberry, and a good base of pure fruit. A few guys at the table really dug this wine, as did I. But man, these SC bottles are like a weapon, so heavy and awkward--I hate these things.

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Flight 2 (2 Notes)

  • 2009 Copain Chardonnay Brosseau Vineyard

    USA, California, Central Coast, Chalone

    Poured blind last night. The bottle showed not as well as the bottle this past May. I found the wine last night to be on the creamier, honey-tinged side of things, with green banana, apple and some faint caramel. Probably best to drink these up now, as it's a decade old now and given the riper vintage that was 2009, it's probably at peak.

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  • 2009 Domaine Henri Boillot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Mouchère

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru

    Well, there goes the final bottle of white burg in my cellar. I poured this blind for the gang last night and it really stole the show at the table. Toasty in aroma and even into the palate, where it showed a chiseled, flinty, lemon and apple core. Even at 10 years old, and showing no signs of pox, this thing will probably go another decade. Great bottle.

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Flight 3 (2 Notes)

  • 2017 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Poured blind, alongside the 2017 RM Platt, which really outclassed it. My intention was to put these two wines blind and let the group react to them. Clearly the group, and me as well, thought the Ox was riper and softer than the more structured Platt. The Ox showed a mix of kiwi, and blue/red fruit. Nothing to retaste today and while I do think the average pinot noir drinker will dig the flashy sense of the Ox, it does not rise to the level of WOTY for me at this point, although the Platt continues to do that for me.

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  • 2017 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Platt Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Damn, this is a great wine. Poured blind, as part of a two bottle flight, with the other wine being the 2017 RM Occidental PN. The Platt really crushed it, although I was expecting a closer battle. The structure, tang, and slightly drying tannin really supports the red and touch of black fruit that is the Platt. At 13.1%, it drinks to that #, and really thrills me, impressing me to continue saying that I think it's one of the best RM PNs to date. The wine is going to age well and with two left, I'll check in on the next one in a few years. In sum, it ranks right up there with Rhys Alpine/Shoe and Kutch 'Staff as some of the best PN I have had all year.

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Flight 4 (2 Notes)

  • 2001 Lagier Meredith Syrah

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

    Poured blind next to the 2003, and in my view, the 2001 really clobbered the 2003. The balance and youth of the 2001, which is pushing close to 2 decades old now, was pretty amazing. Perfume, tar and dark raspberry. Finishes youthful, showing the cool structure and balance of a wine that I suspect will age another 5, maybe even 10 years. Should have bought more of these in 2017 when I found it on Winebid.

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  • 2003 Lagier Meredith Syrah

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

    Poured blind, alongside the 2001. Some at the table suggested the 2003 had some TCA showing, which I didn't agree with. I do think that the 2003 is showing some higher alcohol and ripeness, which is intruding into the aromatics. Found some brewed coffee in the aromatic, too. The 2003 just seems bigger to me, and doesn't have the lovely balance and youth of the 2001.

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