The day before the big Zind Humbrecht dinner

Several of the people coming to our big ZH dinner came in early to partake in some food and wine the night before. With the whites we had appetizers of assorted cheeses, olives, smoked salmon with goat cheese and more. For dinner with the reds we were treated to Barb's fabulous beef bourgigogne and celery root mashed potatos. Dessert wines were with the mango macadamia nut creation Barb arrived with. Yummy!

• 2003 Gangloff/Alban Viognier Conversation 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  An interesting wine. Evidently, Yves Gangloff lost his Condrieu crop in '03. His friend John Alban offered to sell him some Viognier grapes that the 2 would vinify and bottle together. Light yellow in color, this was very viscous and aromatic. I liked this better than most Viogniers. 50+12+12+8+8 = 90

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• 1997 Qupé Roussanne Alban Estate Vineyard 85 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  Dark yellow with a smoky nose and Rousanne typical aromas. Medium bodied and a medium length finish, this wine wasn't bad but didn't excite me. 50+11+10+7+7 = 85

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• 2003 Isenhower Cellars Snapdragon Viognier/Roussanne

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Light yellow with a bubblegum fruity nose. Unfortunately, quite warm when I got to it so tough to judge fairly.

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• 1990 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 88 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  A disappointment for me as I expected this to be really great. Steve said it opened up nicely after a few hours but I never had the chance to go back and re-taste it. Bright gold in color with lemons and good concentration, but very tight. 50+12+11+7.5+7.5 = 88

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• 1988 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux 90 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

  Light yellow, this wine drinks younger than it's 17 years would suggest. Stones, minerals, lemons and honey with a long finish. Very nice. 50+12+12+8+8 = 90

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• 1976 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 97 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  AP #14-77. Medium gold in color, this was an absolutely gorgeous wine in all ways. Spearmint, tea, honey, green apples, minerals and great acidity. A long honey filled finish. Lots of life left on this one. Stunning! 50+14+14+9.5+9.5 = 97

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• 1986 Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve des Célestins 97 Points

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

  Bright ruby in color this was a wow wine and the red that everything was talking about all weekend. Perfectly ready right now, this was filled with cherry liqueur. Very glyceral and beautifully integrated, this was a real treat and a perfect match with the beef bourgigogne. Stunning! 50+14+14+9.5+9.5 = 97

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• 1992 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Turque

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Crimson in color with cigar, beef and lots of funk/barnyard. Others liked it but it just was not a style I enjoy.

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• 1998 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Purple in color. Rich and concentrated with a little heat. Never would have guessed '98 on this very enjoyable wine. 50+12+12+8+8 = 90

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• 1997 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 89 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Decanted about 2 hours and dark crimson in the glass, this was still very tight when I got to it, and nowhere near a bottle we had last New Year's Eve. Good depth and concentration was evident underneath but this seemed closed for business at the moment. 50+12+12+7.5+7.5 = 89

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• 1999 Greenock Creek Shiraz Creek Block 90 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  A last minute addition when Chris said he had never tried a Greenock Creek wine. Dark purple with explosive blackberry and blueberry aromas/flavors. Velvety textured, this wine was ultra full bodied. No visible signs of heavy oak. 50+12+12+8+8 = 90

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• 2002 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard 85 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Dark purple with chocolate, blackberries, some oak and gritty tannins. A little hot and in need of time. 50+11+10+7+7 = 85

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• 1991 Müller-Catoir Haardter Herzog Riesling Eiswein 93 Points

  Germany, Pfalz

  AP #17-92. Much more expressive of a variety of aromas/flavors than a bottle about 6 weeks ago that was intense and delicious but all honey and lemons. Medium gold in the glass, this had beautiful Riesling fruit and a great streak of acidity. Very long on the finish. Nicely matched with the mango macadamia nut dessert. 50+13+13+8.5+8.5 = 93

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Whether by part of my plan to make sure I didn't over do it Friday night, knowing what Saturday had in store for us, or if by accident, I missed several wines that were opened and I would have liked to try including a Pride Cab Franc, Chehalem Pinot Noir and Pax Syrah.