41st Birthday Wimps - Finally Friday table

First post-lockdown Wimps - "Novis Initiis"

• 2009 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Coeur de Cuvée 91 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Overriding impression was of youthfulness. Yeasty, sharp, some custard; improved with warmth. Balanced and has good concentration, but a few more years to smooth out and increase complexity will likely mean I enjoy my other bottle more than this one.

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• 2016 Castello della Sala (Antinori) Umbria Cervaro della Sala 91 Points

  Italy, Umbria

  Oak is obvious, but attractive. Scents of herbs, grass and white flowers. Nicely rounded, but has more acidity than a Cali Chardonnay of similar scale.

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• 2012 Ballot-Millot & Fils Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrières 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru

  Not showing a lot today - almost a bit dilute. Tasty citrus notes and some chew on the finish. Nose blossomed after around 45 minutes - blackcurrant leaf and lime, recalling a Riesling GG. In a dumb phase?

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• 2014 Hubert Lamy Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Clos de la Chateniere Blanc Vieilles Vignes 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Saint-Aubin 1er Cru

  Reductive, gamey nose made a nice contrast to the other wines in the flight. Sharp and precise on the palate, and intense and spicy on the finish. Good wine, but Lamy's early-picking style is more impressive than delicious to my palate.

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• 1991 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia 91 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Loved the tobacco scents, but a little bit too much volatile acidity for my taste. Quite dry, and good with the food.

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• 1994 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Viña Real Gran Reserva 93 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Really hit the spot, especially with the BBQ flavours of the food. Nose full of good things like spice, game and forest floor; spicy and punchy on the palate. Lovely long savoury finish.

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• 2005 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon Moss Wood Vineyard 91 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  Lovely - primary but deep and yummy. Tar, menthol, chocolate, some greenness. So silky compared to the Italian and Spanish reds we also drank today. Very Cabernet and has upside.

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• 1997 Tenuta Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Quite mature, gamey and open. Lovely nose but lean on the palate: spicy and rather dark, with coffee and black fruit crumble.

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• 1997 Castello dei Rampolla Sammarco Toscana IGT 89 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Soft and quite straightforward. Juicy and enjoyable, but not exciting.

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• 2008 Isole e Olena Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Vin Santo del Chianti Classico

  From two half bottles. Really lovely - intense and figgy but not too sweet. Hints of a sherry-like nuttiness. Much better balance than the 2009 Fontodi Vin Santo I had recently.

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No absolutely killer wines, although I did enjoy the CVNE and the Isola e Olena very much... but a lovely afternoon all the same