A fun gathering at L'Auberge Chez Francois

Five of us got together at L'Auberge Chez Francois. We had a nice outdoor table under a gazebo. As usual, the dishes were solid and delicious.

Both Roses drank beautifully.

• 1990 Ruinart Champagne Dom Ruinart Brut Rosé 96 Points

  France, Champagne

  En magnum, perfectly mature yet energetic vinous nose displaying sweet subtle red and yellow fruit, raspberry water, a hint of raspberry jam, a hint of kumquat, sous bois, light caramel, smoke, rose, sweet spices and mineral. Excellent concentration, finely layered subtle red and yellow fruit, generous fine mousse, very precise and detailed, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, and a seamless long sweet raspberry fruit driven finish with a hint of smoke and sous bois at the end. Drinking beautifully.

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• 2004 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année Rosé 97 Points

  France, Champagne

  The fist time trying it from my batch. Absolutely gorgeous nose displaying subtle refreshing pale red fruit, raspberry, pink grapefruit, smoked salmon, candied rose petal, light caramel and crushed rocks. Perfectly harmonious sophisticated palate, finely layered pale red fruit, very fine generous mousse, fresh, polished and detail, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, and a long subtle pale red fruit driven finish with limestone and rose at the end. So darn tasty aspect reminds me the style of Cedric Bouchard.

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• 2014 Morlet Family Vineyards La Proportion Dorée 94 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Consistent with the previous bottles. Expressive nose displaying very ripe yellow fruit, apricot, lychee, yellow kiwi, honey, crème brulee, a hint of oak/butterscotch and sweet spices. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of opulent ripe yellow fruit, rich, dense and warm, bright acidity, low mineral, and a long opulent yellow fruit driving finish with a hint of caramel at the end. There is a hint of heat. This is an opulent very ripe Bordeaux blend, very new world.

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• 2012 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Expressive nose displaying intense blue and black fruit, crème de cassis, blueberry concentrate, ink, licorice, caramel, Cab dust, caramel, oak and crushed rocks. Exceptional concentration, layers upon layers of intense black fruit, unctuous and rich yet also silky, bright acidity, strong mineral and a long intense black fruit driven finish with Cab dust at the end. This is a quintessential cult cab, drinking nicely but no need to hurry.

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The resemblance was uncanny.

• 1989 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 99 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Perfectly mature nose displaying perfectly ripe intense black fruit, blackberry concentrated, black cherry, licorice, tapenade, garrigue, tobacco, dark caramel, charred rare steak and earth. Exceptional concentration, layers upon layers of explosive black fruit, rich, opulent and dense, yet also silky and sensual, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, and the never ending finish that resonates with garrigue and tapenade. There is undeliverable richness, intensity and opulence without compromising balance and harmony.

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• 2007 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 97 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Expressive nose displaying intense youthful black fruit, crushed blackberry, blackberry liqueur, lavender, tapenade, grilled fat, white pepper, a hint of garrigue, perfume crushed rocks. Exceptional concentration, layers upon layers of perfectly ripe black fruit, rich and deeply tone but also precise and polished, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, mostly masked tannins and a seamless long youthful black fruit driven finish with black pepper and lavender at the end. Both ’89 and ’07 display incredible concentration. The resemblance is uncanny. This is starting to show the tertiary notes but can easily improve for a couple more decades. Drinking beautifully in a youthful way.

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• 2005 Château d'Yquem 97 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  This has reached the youthful peak. Expressive nose displaying intense yellow fruit, apricot preserve, pineapple, crème brulee, candied ginger, saffron, sweet spices and earth. Exceptional concentration, layers upon layers of opulent yellow fruit, unctuous and concentrated yet precise and airy, perfect amount of acidity and mineral and the never ending finish. Although very youthful, it is perfectly delicious.

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As usual, a great time was had by all.