Charleston V - the wooden anniversary

Charleston, SC (various locations)
Tasted Wednesday, November 6, 2019 - Sunday, November 10, 2019 by MC2 Wines with 556 views

Introduction

We're back.... the fifth year of the Charleston

Flight 1 - Impromtu dinner at FIG (2 Notes)

I ended up arriving a bit earlier to town than expected so joined some friends who were enjoying the appetizer section of the FIG menu. Food is always great and a fun wine list. Great way to start the weekend right.

  • 2014 Emidio Pepe Trebbiano d'Abruzzo

    Italy, Abruzzi, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo

    (11/6/2019)

    This was very enjoyable. Lots of acid and brightness and easy to drink. Almost felt a touch crunchy in style. Went very well with a seafood crudo.

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  • 2018 Méthode Sauvage Cabernet Franc Tierra Extraña

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    (11/6/2019)

    This was for the wine geek in me. It's a cab franc in a loire style but with some extra spritz. A wine that is 100% made to be consumed with food, but has a certain versatility there where it was fine with a bolognese and also with a cornbread with persimmon seeds. Interesting. Not at the same level as some of the others I'm sure we're enjoying this weekend, but also not at the same price point.

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Flight 2 - Lunch @ Poogan's Porch (4 Notes)

This restaurant did a day up at James Beard house in NYC and it was awesome so we were excited to try the actual restaurant. I would say a bit more hit or miss, but the company and wine was lovely.

  • 2013 Rudi Wiest Riesling

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    (11/7/2019)

    Not 100% my wine. It's a bit fuller bodied, slightly lower acidity than what I was hoping for. And much more on the sweet side which can be ok, but with the heavier texture here came across as almost a bit cloying.

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  • NV Philipponnat Champagne Réserve Rosée

    France, Champagne

    (11/7/2019)

    Fuller bodied champagne as well that has some more texture to it. It has a hint of a sour red fruit style. Very quaffable and a nice official start to our Charleston offline weekend.

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  • NV R. & L. Legras Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    (11/7/2019)

    In the reasonably priced/this could be house bubbles kindof category this is one of my favorites. It's lean and zippy and apple and just a slight background of sweet toast. I find it very enjoyable and one of the best values in champagne.

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  • 2013 Château des Tours Côtes du Rhône Blanc

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

    (11/7/2019)

    Continues to be a wine that I quite enjoy. Drank this on the heels of two champagnes and as a result it came across as a bit more full bodied. White fleshy fruit. Reminded me more of a standard white rhone which isn't a bad thing as that's one of my favorite categories. All enjoyable.

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Flight 3 - Burg Thursday (16 Notes)

The tradition continues. I think this is probably the best burg Thursday we've ever had at one of these events. People really brought it. There were a bunch of serious contenders. For me WOTN was prob the Roumier which I thought I might like but had hoped I wouldn't like as much as I did. Lots of other good ones though including the '61 Faiveley and the '69 Remoissenet.

  • 2006 Dom Pérignon Champagne

    France, Champagne

    (11/7/2019)

    Just the last little bit from the bottle so small note. I always feel bad drinking young Dom given I know what Dom with age can be. This is still very tight. Just a hint of the toast. It's a nice champagne, but at this stage the premium feels a bit high.

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  • 2011 Bouchard Père et Fils Chambertin-Clos de Bèze

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru

    (11/7/2019)

    From a magnum. Very much what I think of when I think of good burgundy. It's light and bright and higher acid which comes across almost with a touch of spritz. There's a certain brambly to the flavor. It's a nice well made wine but for the price I'd want something really great. Perhaps with some more time - one of my takeaways from the line-up tonight was age really adds a lot to a Burgundy.

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  • 2013 Domaine Leflaive Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru

    (11/7/2019)

    Generally I leave the nice white burgs for others because it's not really my style, but I got talked into trying just a touch of this one. It is indeed a very well made wine. There's balance here. There's that nice lightness. There's none of the chard flavor that I particularly dislike. There's nothing that completely grabs me either. It's like a fine piece of artwork that is just in a different style to my taste.

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  • 1996 Egly-Ouriet Champagne Grand Cru Brut Millésimé

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    (11/7/2019)

    Got a big auction lot of these and my impression is that the wine should have aged better given the year. This version at least is a wine where you need to like old champagne and the flavors associated with that to enjoy it. Good news is that I do. So more of a darkened caramel. Maybe a slightly unripe white fruit. It somehow works.

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  • 2010 Domaine Ponsot Corton Cuvée du Bourdon

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru

    (11/7/2019)

    My first impression was almost a touch medicinal. With some time that blew off a bit more and then it was black currant and darker fruits and more of a dried fruit character. Very light and clearly well made. Could use more years.

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  • 1988 Faiveley Corton-Clos des Cortons Faiveley

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru

    (11/7/2019)

    This was a funny one in the line-up, but I liked it. Much more green and a bit of barnyard and herbal notes and all of that. This evolved some through the night and I found the difference in it a bit refreshing.

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  • 2007 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Bonnes Mares

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru

    (11/7/2019)

    First impression was more briney than some of the other ones have been. Lots of earth. A lot more body than I expected. Bits of red fruits which came out more and more through drinking it.

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  • 1998 Domaine G. Roumier / Christophe Roumier Bonnes Mares

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru

    (11/7/2019)

    Such a pity. The few times I've had this producer it's helped me understand why they always say 'all roads lead to Burgundy'. This is the first one that we've actually purchased. I was hoping that the other bottles would have been a fluke, but as it turns out I do really like this wine. It's light and delicate and red fruits and just a hint of floral. The true definition of a 'pretty' wine. Many years left, but at least had gotten out of the baby level and had some of the balance that age creates. Only got better through the night.

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  • 1969 Remoissenet Père et Fils Morey St. Denis Les Charmes

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey St. Denis

    (11/7/2019)

    This was another favorite of mine in the line-up which is interesting because it was more in the earthy and birch branch and all of that style. Reminded me a lot of licking bark. The thing that I found compelling though was the balance and structure. Just very well put together. In a great spot with the age.

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  • 1999 Domaine du Clos de Tart Clos de Tart

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de Tart Grand Cru

    (11/7/2019)

    Winter dark plum and spices. Very light and soft. Very enjoyable.

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  • 2001 Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St. Jacques Vieille Vigne

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru

    (11/7/2019)

    This is much more bright fruits and that acid that's so intense it comes across almost a touch spritzy which happens to be a style that I enjoy. Lots of ripe, sun kissed raspberry. It's very bright. I think also much too young really at this point. Would love to see with another 10-20 years.

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  • 2006 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Richebourg Grand Cru

    (11/7/2019)

    Even as a non Burg drinker I feel like every time I have DRC you can see why it's become the cult that it has. Even if I don't believe the pricing makes any sense, I do think the way the wine has such a preciseness of flavor is quite nice. Black raspberry and spring time.

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  • 1966 Thomas Bassot Griotte-Chambertin

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru

    (11/7/2019)

    For many this was the WOTN and I can see that. It's the earthy more secondary style of burgundy. More than any of the other wines this one seemed to be feeling its age. More butter caramel and leather and all of that. With some time more spices and that secondary incantation I liked a lot more than the original style of the wine.

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  • 1961 Joseph Drouhin Romanée St. Vivant

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Romanée St. Vivant Grand Cru

    (11/7/2019)

    Another favorite of mine from the tasting. This seemed to split people. There is almost a super sweetness to it. Dried fruits, but the kind with that sugary covering so that they are closer to candy than fruit. Some found that over the top. For me it was quite enjoyable when combined with the real lightness of the Pinot and the nice acid. Aged Pinot that still has fruit and good acid is something I could get into.

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  • 1981 Château d'Yquem

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    (11/7/2019)

    Birth year d'Yquem! It doesn't get any better than that (actually it does as the '86 is a slightly better vintage than this one). Still, a real treat to get to try. Very fresh with orange peel and honey and lovely light sweetness. Biggest difference between the two vintages to me was the finish. This was a bit quicker, but still lovely.

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  • 1986 Château d'Yquem

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    (11/7/2019)

    I believe this is one of the more underrated vintages of D'Yquem. And it seems to be in a wonderful spot right now. Here there is a bit more of a mouthful than the '81. It's very round and lovely. But also with that racy acidity that keeps it light and pretty. The best part is the finish. Just goes on and on. I can still taste it the next day.

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Flight 4 - Bonus Bottles: Friday Afternoon (4 Notes)

Unfortunately work interfered a bit with the trip so I missed the lunch but did catch up with folks for

Flight 5 - Bubbles and Fried Shrimp/Oysters (5 Notes)

Flight 6 - Flannery Beef Cookout (11 Notes)

  • 2000 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

    Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

    (11/8/2019)

    This was nice and tasty. Get a lot of saddle leather. Perhaps still a touch on the young side, but drinking well.

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  • 2006 Antinori Solaia

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    (11/8/2019)

    Still some oak. Lots of darker fruits. This is more in the early and primary stages. Give it some more time. Interesting because the '06 Sassicaia we had a few years ago seemed much more developed than this one.

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  • 2004 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia

    Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

    (11/8/2019)

    Officially this was opened during the bonus bottles in the afternoon but I didn't end up trying it then. After bottle had been open for a few hours it was really nice. Great back fruits. Lots of fig. A bit less oak than the Solaia which was nice. It's much too young, but there's some great potential here.

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  • 2003 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Le Coste

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    (11/8/2019)

    One of the wines I was most looking forward to this weekend. I've not had many of these but the few I have tried I've always found to be quite elegant and restrained. This was in a similar vein. Lots of black cherry, very fresh, a certain 'prettiness' to the wine that I can appreciate. Very enjoyable.

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  • 2005 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (11/8/2019)

    Hello the Frog that first got me hooked on Frog. This is quite young and powerful. One might call it a bit of a beast. All black fruits and meaty. It's a more intense wine than I sometimes like, but I still find it quite enjoyable. Hedonistic for sure.

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  • 2010 Dominus Estate

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (11/8/2019)

    Of all of the younger vintage wines that we had this night this was one of my favorites. There's a nice restraint to it (at least compared to other new world). Very well set-up. Lots of plum notes. Fruit is not overripe but more moderate. This is going to be great, just needs more time to integrate.

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  • 2000 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    (11/8/2019)

    Didn't take very detailed notes on this wine but I remember quite liking it. From a magnum. It's not quite as balanced as the L'Ermite is for me. Usually a bit darker and more brooding. But very tasty.

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  • 2010 Next of Kyn No~4 Cumulus Vineyard

    USA, California, Central Coast

    (11/8/2019)

    We brought this wine and I'll admit I struggled with it. Have more bottles and I'm hoping that age will bring it down a bit from the current rocket fuel point. We opened it the night before and decanted for most of the day before rebottling. Which I do think muted it a little bit, but it was still very intense. Lots of darker fruits and lots of spice. Needed the steak to help balance.

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  • 2010 TOR Cabernet Sauvignon

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (11/8/2019)

    Another baby wine which was just a bit intense for me. Lots of fruit. Higher alcohol. It's not shy.

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  • 2013 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon "Old Sparky" Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    (11/8/2019)

    And the third in a row of young and big and intense Cali. Again a bit higher alc, lots of fruit, very intense. Preferred some of the more restrained wines this day.

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  • 2007 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Turque

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    (11/8/2019)

    Opened and decanted and I tried to wait till a bit later to get to this so it had some time to come together. Oak was more integrated than I expected having experienced some other young LaLa's in the past. It's bacon and black fruits and great acid. Still on the young side, but an enjoyable wine to drink.

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Flight 7 - Lunch @ Husk (4 Notes)

One is meant to get the burger so we got the burger. It was indeed very tasty in that way that appeals to my more child-like brain which loves ooey-gooey cheese and all of that. Went with their recommendation (requirement) of medium well and I"m pretty sure the way to improve upon it is medium, but otherwise a good spot.

  • NV Ulysse Collin Champagne Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut Les Maillons

    France, Champagne

    (11/9/2019)

    Off the wine list at Husk in Charleston. This is always a good champagne. You get a bit of the more spice/herbal style that Pinot brings. It's very lean and crisp. At times I wonder if just a touch more dosage could help it, but I do really enjoy it.

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  • 1996 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    (11/9/2019)

    One of the better versions of this wine that I've had. Usually these are quite oxidized which I think makes them very interesting, but not always truly delicious. This was very fresh and soft. Reminded me of popcorn with maybe just a touch of honey on it. Drinking well.

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  • 1990 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée

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

    (11/9/2019)

    Drinking just incredibly well. You never know with the old versions of this wine, but everything was firing on all cylinders in this case. Lots of sweet and dark black fruits. A bit of spice. Less of the barnyard and brett which I can like, but which tends to make the wine seems older or at least not super young and vibrant. Here all of the vibrancy expected of a '90. Excellent.

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  • 1993 Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    (11/9/2019)

    Opened and decanted and it needed that. The initial impression was a touch musty, but that quickly moved into more unripe plum notes mixed with some very fine tannins. In a nice drinking window right now, but didn't get the impression it's going anywhere soon. Certain elegance to the style which I liked.

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Flight 8 - Bonus Bottles: Saturday Afternoon (4 Notes)

Always fun to spend an afternoon tasting through. The Eperosa was particularly nice to me. That was a great find when we were there earlier in the year.

  • 1996 Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Fleuron

    France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

    (11/9/2019)

    This bottle was showing a bit more age than the previous one. Lots more caramelized and toasty notes. Still quite enjoyable for my tastes though so I was happy to have it.

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  • 2005 Eperosa Synthesis

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    (11/9/2019)

    This was drinking incredibly well. It's a different style than most Aussie wine from '05 (i.e. it's not meant to be big or extracted or any of that). It's old world style with new world wine making. I found myself going back for seconds and thirds. Very nice. Has many more years left so will let the other bottle rest for a bit. At the price point incredibly hard to beat.

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  • 1999 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Cornas Domaine de Saint Pierre

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

    (11/9/2019)

    Didn't take detailed note on this one. I remember it being just fine. Didn't stand out particularly either way. It's an standard cornas which is a style I enjoy. 100% syrah. A bit more burly. But with the age in a good drinking window. Totally fine.

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  • 2013 A.J. Adam Hofberg Riesling Kabinett

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    (11/9/2019)

    This type of weekend really appreciates a good riesling or similar to break up the routine and this wine was def up for the job. Light and sweet and easy and quite enjoyable. I have of late found myself more sensitive to petrol in Riesling, but none of that here.

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Flight 9 - Dinner @ Circa 1886 (13 Notes)

There was some D'Yquem at the end of the night but I actually wasn't having a super sweet tooth at the time so I ended up skipping those. Lots of great wines, but always Grange :-).

  • 1996 Duval-Leroy Champagne Femme de Champagne

    France, Champagne

    (11/9/2019)

    Lots of brioche and tart and nuts and fairly fresh with just a background hint of pear. Drinking very nicely. Nuts prob most dominant flavor, but I like that.

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  • 2004 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut

    France, Champagne

    (11/9/2019)

    It's hard to argue with Krug which continues to be one of my most favorite champagnes and I do find '04 slightly more accessible young although to my we still opened this too early. Very pretty and fresh and bright. A bit less of the brioche I usually get with this maker. Still enjoyable.

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  • 2010 Domaine Ponsot Morey St. Denis 1er Cru Clos des Monts Luisants Vieilles Vignes

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey St. Denis 1er Cru

    (11/9/2019)

    You know you have a good friend when as a burgundy person they pick the aligote grape since you don't like chard. This was very well structured. Also very fresh. An enjoyable white wine. Didn't realize any of the good producers used the Aligote but something to keep an eye on.

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  • 1973 Domaine Huet Vouvray Demi-Sec Perlant

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

    (11/9/2019)

    One of the epiphanies of the weekend for me. Why in the world are we not buying more old Vouvray? This was truly delicious and if you had gone blind there's no way you're guessing 46 year old wine. All bright and citrus and tasty and great acid and one of the wines that I went back to later in the night since it was just so compelling.

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  • 1999 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc De L'Orée

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    (11/9/2019)

    Has traditionally been a wine that I enjoy even though Michael and I disagree on Marsanne vs. Roussanne. Still, I appreciate the hardiness of this style. Lots of more fleshy fruit. Rounder notes. White rose petals. Drinking well.

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  • 2006 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Pignan Reserve

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

    (11/9/2019)

    This producer continues to be a personal favorite and it's hard to argue with his single vineyard effort in the Pignan. Lots of herbal and red fruits. Potpourri. Very pretty and fresh. This has a long life ahead of it.

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  • 1998 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

    (11/9/2019)

    It's just mean to have the comparison point be a Rayas (which is not in the same price category either). While that is all Grenache and elegance and daintiness this is the more brooding side of the mouvedre showing through. Lots of darker fruits. Good age. Tasty, but I found my attention drawn away as they were in the same flight.

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  • 2000 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    (11/9/2019)

    The end of this dinner was just nuts and so this one didn't quite jump out in that crowd. And yet I remember thinking quite nice. From Magnum. It was more of the youthful intensity that for me I prefer to see restrained with a bit more age. But certainly a very nice bottle of wine.

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  • 1989 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    (11/9/2019)

    More in my wheelhouse with the extra years over the 2000. This again though was a touch overshadowed by some of those late night monsters (also because Cab I like, but Syrah is a true love).

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  • 1995 Château Lafite Rothschild

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    (11/9/2019)

    From a magnum. This got opened and decanted maybe a few hours before serving. I've always found Lafite is one of those wines that it's almost impossible to find in the drinking window. To me it always comes across as a bit tighter and too young compared to the other first growths. This experience was similar. There is a good body to the wine and lots of dark fruit and a fair amount of tannin that coats the mouth. I think it will be very special, but more time.

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  • 1999 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Mouline

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    (11/9/2019)

    Complete treat to get to try this. It's still a big and intense wine. Also went into a decanter a few hours before serving it, but what it really wants is more years. Oak is more integrated than some of the younger LaLa's I've had. Very bold and powerful. Would love to see it soften into some of that floral violet elegance with some time. Right now it's all black fruits and spice.

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  • 1998 Penfolds Grange

    Australia, South Australia

    (11/9/2019)

    Hello my lovely. By this point in the night I was pretty tired and over the hill and still Grange just stands out. Yes, too young. Will be better with some more years. However for many this was WOTN and I'm no exception to that rule. This was awesome. It's everything under the sun in one bottle and just straight up delicious.

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  • 1998 Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie La Landonne

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    (11/9/2019)

    Our second contribution to the night and a wine that I always really enjoy. It's more restrained than it's brethren (a '99 Mouline and '98 Grange) on this night. For me this was more about structure and perhaps a touch of elegance but while I love this producer, it's not Grange.

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Flight 10 - Sunday Blind Tasting (12 Notes)

I'm always pretty crap at these type of things although I did get the one Nebbiolo and the one Bordeaux. Then again, I also thought a cab was a syrah so wouldn't give myself too much credit....

  • NV Hugues Godmé Champagne Grand Cru Brut Rosé

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    (11/10/2019)

    Something lovely about starting a day with bubbles and given how intense the previous few days were I was pretty excited to have these. So was this the best champagne I've ever had? Nope, but it was one of those experiences where it was especially delicious. Very bright and fresh. Tasty. A good start to the day.

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  • 1997 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (11/10/2019)

    Wine #1 in our blind. This was all fresh and fruity. Darker berries. A bit of sweetness. This came across as quite young. The balance in the wine seems to come from the tannin though which balances the fruit reasonably well. Drinking nicely. It's definitely new world fruit, but it has a more old world style to it.

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  • 1984 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

    (11/10/2019)

    Wine #2 in our blind. Darker texture to this wine. Very well balanced. Still has a reasonable amount of tannin. Some fruit. The finish is a bit quicker than I expected, but it's an enjoyable wine nonetheless.

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  • 1979 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    (11/10/2019)

    Wine #3 in our blind. This was my favorite of the group. Darker red fruits. Hints of barnyard. To be honest I didn't pick this as an old world. The fruit is quite compelling. A nice depth to it. It's very balanced though. Reminds me of old world style and new world fruit. Interesting to see it was '79. In a perfect spot right now.

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  • 1964 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Riserva

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    (11/10/2019)

    Wine #4 in our blind. Also the 'give me' because this was clearly nebbiolo with age. Tea colored and tea leaves (those old school teas that are not the silly earl gray or whatever but more in the style of an oolong or similar). Sea grass. To be honest this felt a bit tired right now, but I couldn't tell if that was lacking a decant (amazing how they seem to wake up with air) or if it's true that this was getting along or if just a bottle variation.

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  • 1992 Ridge Monte Bello

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    (11/10/2019)

    Wine #5 in our blind. I didn't get this one at all. To me it was more savory and almost meaty. Dark fruits. Very young. Hint of the animal notes. I don't normally associate that with Ridge but perhaps there is some in the Monte Bello? I was expecting a Syrah but was surprised to find the cab. Also a favorite of mine though in the group.

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  • 1989 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    (11/10/2019)

    Wine #6 in our blind. Lots more floral than in the other wines. A bit of violet and lavender. Some darker fruits. With time in the glass it seemed to lighten and then it was cranberry and red fruits. A nice tartness to it. I enjoyed it.

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  • 1966 Château Palmer

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    (11/10/2019)

    Wine #7 in the tasting. Another one that was a bit easier to identify as it's such a distinctive style. Well aged. Leather, cigar, library notes. It's like pulling a musty book out but in the best way. Very tasty. One of the original wines that got me to realize I needed to reconsider Bordeaux.

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  • 1995 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    (11/10/2019)

    Wine #8 in our blind. This just didn't taste like Chave to me and even after I knew it was and went back I still wasn't getting it. This was tons of red fruits. Some spice. No meat or more animal style. I was sure it was a cab. Goes to show I am not good at blind. As with all Chave, it was a good wine for me. Prob somewhat mid-way in terms of wines I liked in the line-up although I liked all the wines.

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  • 1995 Pahlmeyer Merlot

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (11/10/2019)

    Wine #9 in our blind. Perhaps because I knew we had this wine in here I knew this was it. There's that great raspberry and red fruits and plushy and also pretty and just very tasty. Came across as quite young actually. This has many years left. Should really be stocking up on more of these, but they're not so easy to find.

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  • 1997 Dominus Estate

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (11/10/2019)

    Non-blind. Just awesome. This has been a strong producer throughout. Fun to try next to the 2010 and see that they really have maintained their style throughout. This is still on the young side and built for some real age. I get coffee grinds and darker fruits and cigar and a lovely smokiness to it. Very enjoyable.

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  • 1999 Henschke Abbotts Prayer

    Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Lenswood

    (11/10/2019)

    These old Henschkes are just great and this was no different. This is more of the table level of wine so the fact that it went 20 years is quite good although I think there was an opportunity for more. Not getting better I don't think at this stage though. More fruit. Lots of red and dark ones. Very well structured. An enjoyable wine and amazing for the price point.

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Closing

Always a fun time. Lots of new friends. This was an epic weekend. Need some days to detox from all of the wine and food. Really amazing though and many thanks to the hosts for making it happen.

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