Wines to Accompany a Very Grand Barbecue

We have been taking full advantage of the wonderful facilities and food at this revered locale since California finally reopened, and last night's "Grand Barbecue" raised the bar yet again. Culinary highlights include the julienned brussel sprout salad, grilled lobster tails and the smoked brisket of beef. The white wines stood up well to the late afternoon heat, and by the time we tucked into the buffet, the temperature was perfect for the reds.

• 2018 The Hilt Chardonnay Bentrock

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Came off as extremely young, with piercing acidity outpunching shy citrus and orchard fruit notes. I would wait several more years. No score as a result.

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• 2015 Maison Leroy Auxey-Duresses Blanc 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Auxey-Duresses

  In the 18 months or so since I last tasted this, its youthfulness has diminished exactly as hoped for, leaving a stunningly precise and beautifully balanced wine, with the reductive notes giving way seamlessly to crisp orchard fruit, some lemon and fine stony minerality. Lengthy, expansive finish. Now my aim is to hold on my last bottle off for another eighteen months and report back.

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• 2015 Domaine Buisson-Battault Meursault 1er Cru Gouttes d'Or 93 Points

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

  Almost three years since I last tasted this. Whereas that bottle was almost painfully young, the wine now presents itself beautifully, with ample apple and sweet lemon notes kept in check by a welcome thread of acidity. No rush, though i will be moving my others up in the rotation for sure.

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• 2018 Domaine Denis Mortet Gevrey-Chambertin Mes Cinq Terroirs

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin

  A surprise bring from a gracious guest, but this was painfully young, and i am reticent to score it. The color was astonishingly dark, more so than I have ever seen with a Pinot -- emphasis on the "Noir" I suppose -- and the fruit was compressed to the point of barely being detectable, leaving an unexpectedly rustic texture and offering little else, i am afraid. This didn't come off as flawed, so I am chalking it up to a period of deep slumber.

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• 2004 Argiolas Turriga Isola dei Nuraghi IGT 93 Points

  Italy, Sardinia, Isola dei Nuraghi IGT

  A favorite bottling which rarely disappoints, and this one was no exception. Youthful and compact, with notes of mocha, a mélange of blue, red and black fruit, some pencil lead and mild herbs. Well-integrated oak and just a touch of VA, which I like and provides the wine with some energy to balance out its extraction and power.

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• 2012 Alvaro Palacios Priorat L'Ermita 95 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  From a magnum. Such an expressive wine, still primary, and above all precisely defined, with loads of cassis, some blueberry, orange peel, licorice and muted floral notes, with just a hint of smoke. I have almost half left and look forward to revisiting tonight.
  
  Updating for day two if of interest: still going very strong, with the fruit even more pronounced, and a bit of camphor has emerged as well

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With such wonderful food, wines, and most importantly, friends, this night could not fail to please.