Judgement of Eagan

Jason's house
Tasted Thursday, October 19, 2023 by galewskj with 108 views

Introduction

The host lives in Eagan and is not good at naming events, but he's very good at opening numerous amazing and desirable bottles, as well as creating a menu around the wines that would make Julia Child drool.

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

  • NV Jacques Selosse Substance 92 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    Rich and umami, tangy, a dusty funk, oxidative. This was fun to drink but I don't understand the ravenous fans.

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  • NV Jacques Selosse V.O. Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 93 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    Very different from the Substance that we tried alongside it. The oxidative note remains, but this had fresh dough, baking spice and a slightly more traditional champagne profile. 92-93.

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Flight 2 (2 Notes)

  • 2013 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard 96 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Very similar to a bottle a year ago, just a touch subdued this time around. Maybe because it was paired with a 2010 Bonneau du Martray Corton Charlemagne. This really was fantastic in a full-bodied california chardonnay well. Unctuous mouthfeel, spicy complexity and enough lime/acid to keep it balanced.

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  • 2010 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne 94 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

    Matchstick, gun flint, bright orange citrus and a supple creaminess. This was bested by a 2013 Marcassin, in my opinion, but that is very much a personal taste decision.

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Flight 3 (2 Notes)

  • 1993 Château Mouton Rothschild 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Quite frankly, this initially had a downright poopy funk on it that was kind of revolting. Thankfully, that did blow off, although it took its sweet time in doing so. Peppery, rustic and a bit rough on the palate. There's also a bit of a hollow center in the palate. Beyond that, a glorious traditional well-aged bordeaux with cedar, forest floor and black cherry.

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  • 1996 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    Slow O'd a bit. Violets, slight menthol, cedar and gorgeous. With time in the glass, it comes out of balance, making me question how long to hold my last bottle (although this bottle wasn't mine).

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Flight 4 (2 Notes)

  • 1993 Château Haut-Brion 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Slow O'd, drank a small glass over 1.5 hours. Scorched earth, tar, tobacco and leather. This was so tertiary and also there was still a lot of power in it. It has that "I'm trying too hard" vibe that Haut Brion always gives me.

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  • 1997 Joseph Phelps Insignia 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    30 minute decant, drank a small glass over about 1.5 hours. Gushy purpley fruit, baking spice, kind of big (at least next to 1993 Haut Brion, although that wasn't shy either) and slightly modern in style, but these age very well and I think this has at least 5 years before it starts to fall off.

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Flight 5 (2 Notes)

  • 2008 Château La Violette

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    Here is an interesting example of perspective. We drank a 2012 La Violette by itself a few months ago, and it was off the hook. Tonight, after a line-up of older wines, the youth and the largeness of this wine bothered me. So primary, so much fruit. Anyway, fresh fruit, needs more character. At least it was smoother and not as large as the 2012 Blankiet served next to it. I'm not scoring this, and my point is it was such a rough transition from previous wines that I am incapable of making that leap, but my gut enjoyment level would not exceed 90 tonight.

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  • 2012 Blankiet Estate Rive Droite

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    This was paired up against 2008 La Violette, and I will say the same thing that I did for this wine. The transition from older traditional wines (Bordeaux and Napa) to this was an extremely rough transition and I was incapable of it. This one was even bigger than the 2008 La Violette, super heavy, extacted and a ton of berries. BUT, I scored this 95 about 5 months ago when it wasn't after a bunch of aged Bordeaux. So I don't blame the wine, I blame myself, and I have to think about how to group wines at tastings. I'm not scoring this, and if I did, it would not be pretty. I am told that it was quite delicious the next day.

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Flight 6 (1 Note)

  • 1976 Château d'Yquem

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    A very small glass at the end of a tasting. Maybe my palate was shot, but this seemed old and tired. Petrol, lacquer, almost no sweetness left.

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