Back at the Kenwood with Luis and the team

Tasted Thursday, November 17, 2022 by galewskj with 161 views

Introduction

What a great lineup and great friends. The food was fantastic and the wines even better. The 2001 Yquem blew everything else away, but the 2001 Charvin was wine of the night if you exclude sauternes.

Flight 1 (1 Note)

Flight 2 (2 Notes)

  • 2015 Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills 90 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

    Less fresh than the 2016 Rivers Marie Thierot that it was paired with. More oak-influenced and less interesting, with a lot of spice on the palate. Overall a less forward California chardonnay that just hits 90 for me.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2016 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Very well received by the 8 of us. I heard someone mention that they'd drink more California chardonnay if they tasted like this. Complex and flavorful. Citrus on the nose, steely at cold temperatures and goes a bit sweet as it warms up.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 3 (1 Note)

Flight 4 (2 Notes)

  • 2001 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape 94 Points

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

    My previous three notes still apply. Olive tapenade, tar, graphy, smoky meats and red fruit. This is a great old school CDP. Not counting the 2001 Yquem, I believe this was unanimous wine of the night.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2007 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 92 Points

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

    Slight blueberry, a bit less tertiary than the 2001 Charvin and also more rugged. I think we're seeing the 2007 vintage in this. I don't know how this will evolve, but I'd guess it will be better in 5 years time.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 5 (2 Notes)

  • 2009 Clos Apalta 91 Points

    Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley, Apalta

    Due to logistics this was flighted with a 2004 Trotanoy and it was a real struggle to go between those wines. This seemed a bit green initially, with blueberry and toasted oak. The alcohol shows and the big fruit keeps it somewhat in check, but not entirely. This is an interesting "fun to try" kind of wine, but I wouldn't want to drink it every day, or even every year.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2004 Château Trotanoy 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    Decanted a couple hours at the table before drinking a small glass over an hour. This seemed very youthful and not quite ready for prime time. It remained a classy if understated bordeaux with violets, cherry, tobacco and cedar.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 6 (1 Note)

  • 2001 Château d'Yquem 99 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    The highest I've ever scored a wine, and both times now it is Yquem. This was as good (or day I say better?) than a 2009 that blew me away a couple years ago. The benchmark for sauternes with a featherweight palate and all the classic Sauternes descriptors - creme brulee, orange marmalade, baking spice, yellow melon. Stunning.

    Post a Comment / 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

×
×