Casual Dinner w/Friends

R&R invited us and R&D over for a casual Sunday night dinner with great wines. Many thanks to R&R and R&D for turning a casual supper into a grand evening with a tremendous lineup.

R made two variations of bruschetta, with most ingredients straight from the garden.

• 2005 Pierre Moncuit Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Nicole Moncuit Vieille Vigne 92 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  No formal note. Courtesy of our hosts, this was my first experience with this cuvee that I can recall. Bright with citrus and orchard fruit with just a little something earthy underneath. Fine bead; precise.

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A fresh summer salad course; light and a perfect plate before the main.

• 2014 Peter Michael Chardonnay Point Rouge 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

  No formal note. Courtesy of R&D. Pale youthful straw yellow color with coconut and vanilla tones. Orchard fruit underneath. Rich texture; lengthy finish.

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With perfect medium-rare filets and roasted potatoes.

• 2001 Sloan 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  No formal note. Popped and poured during dinner with friends. Deep crimson core but beginning to show some age at the meniscus. Black currant and plum with a rustic undertone, this is immediately appealing. Has some tannin to integrate but shows abundant ripe dark fruit on the palate as well. Lengthy finish.

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• 2012 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon Monsieur Étain 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  No formal note. Courtesy of our hosts, this had been opened and allowed to breathe in bottle before our arrival. Deep crimson color. Vanilla, red plum, dust, black raspberry and spice notes. Full-bodied. Plum, chocolate, blue fruit and currant flavors. Silky texture. Long finish. 94-95 pts.

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• 2014 Peter Michael Les Pavots 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

  No formal note. Courtesy of R&D, popped and poured. Dark color with plum and black fruit, something a little spicy and woody as well. Chocolate and black fruit on the palate. Shows a little bit of a rustic quality that I would not have expected. Nice length and balance; excellent.

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• 2008 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  No formal note. Courtesy of our hosts, opened some time before dinner and allowed to breathe in bottle. In two words- hot damn. This is something special. Not as big as I anticipated this would be, this was more elegant. Lovely perfune of violets, cassis, currant, black cherry liqueur and bitter chocolate. Silky tannins; wonderful mouthfeel. Red and black fruit, herbs, soft spice and chocolate. Balanced; long finish. Liquid velvet texture. Wow.

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With a rich cheesecake and blueberries.

• 2001 Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Brought along the remaining third of the bottle. No formal note. Nice stone fruit; rich texture. Marmalade and pineapple flavors. Very good.

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• 2006 Sine Qua Non Marsanne Mr. K The Straw Man 95 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

  No formal note. Light maple color. Notes of apricot and stone fruit on the nose and palate. Balanced, with good underlying acidity. Long finish. Drinking very well.

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