A Casual Back Porch Get-Together
Los Olivos, CA
Tasted Wednesday, November 11, 2020 by JonnyG with 80 views
Introduction
When an elaborate dinner was unexpectedly postponed a few hours before the event, a handful of we would-be attendees gathered for a themeless and thoroughly enjoyable wine and pizza evening.
NV Paul Bara Champagne Grand Cru Brut Réserve 91 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Disgorged 5/19. I really enjoyed this, with robust citrus and brioche notes complemented by the healthy dosage level. Not the most complex or elegant, but pretty much everything I look for from a non-vintage sparkling refresher.
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1998 Domaine Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Ruchottes 92 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru
Well past peak, though slightly fresher than the other bottle I bought at the same time, and consumed a few months back. The signature spearmint was more prominent this time, along with saline and green apple notes, but the acid was largely gone. Highly enjoyable nonetheless.
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2003 Miura Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard 85 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Somewhat bland and undistinguished, perhaps due to age though I cannot be sure. The nose was enticing, with some smoke and spice that set up unfulfilled expectations, as the wine was flabby on the palate, to the point where it was hard for me to identify the variety.
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1978 Château Léoville Barton 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Handily outperformed expectations, with beautiful aromatics displaying the proper tertiary notes of leather, earth and berries. Smooth and silky mouthfeel. Plenty of gentle blue and red fruit, some leather and a touch of barnyard. The tannins were not only fully resolved, but missing, leaving the wine a bit understructured.
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2001 Kongsgaard Syrah Hudson Vineyard 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
A somewhat controversial wine amongst the four of us. I really liked it. Polished black fruit, high-toned, violets, with a touch of VA providing lift. Additional floral and herbal notes, some spice and bitter chocolate. After a few hours, an appealing meatiness emerged. I think the style threw the others as they brought their own expectations to the table. While the wine was extracted, it was also quite restrained IMO.
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1998 Jim Barry Shiraz The McRae Wood 94 Points
Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
Spot-on for both the vintage and the region, with a power black fruit profile accented by roasted herbs and some mintiness. Gentle tannins, fully resolved. Good length.
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2017 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Réserve
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Not rated as I found this way to young to discern where it is heading. The wine was fleshy and somewhat monolithic. Being served in the company of a series of mature and gentler wines didn't help. I recall ripe red berries, baker's spice and sweet tannins, but that's about it.
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2001 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin 96 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Stunningly good. Fresh and ripe, with intense minerality, juicy, spiced black cherries and plums, and some orange peel notes. Great purity here too.
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