My Birthday Party with 53 Petrus, 53 Margaux, 53 Mouton, 78 Three Palms.

I tasted with 3 Wine Groups in those days. Several of the members were leaving California for new jobs so we decided to hold my Birthday Party on two nights to accommodate everyone. Each of us brought the oldest bottle in our cellars, some members brought multiple bottles, and some brought cash and wine to trade so they could attend. I was the sole judge and it took 4 months to get everyone to agree and limit attendance to 8 each night.

The wines speak for themselves.

• NV Gosset Champagne Brut 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  Great Taste, at peak, great mousse, beautiful toasty taste with a hint of yeast, long, soft, smooth finish.

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• 1976 Hanzell Chardonnay 83 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  Great golden color, brilliant yellow, in the glass, lots of fruit, touch oxidized but 15 years old, madeira like.

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• 1981 Grgich Hills Chardonnay 80 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Lighter, golden, straw yellow color, lighter than the Hanzell Chardonnay tonight, lots of subtle honey, light/medium body, well balanced, nice honey taste.

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• 1953 Pétrus 100 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Thank you, Jim, for providing the Petrus. Rich, elegant, sophisticated nose and taste, nice, elegant and rich on the palate, finish, and aftertaste.

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• 1978 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Three Palms Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Opened slowly with hints of mushroom, mouth drying, rich fruit on the nose and palate, intense, rich, velvet taste, 2 years to peak, lovely.

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• 1953 Château Margaux 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Soft, flowery nose, beautiful, frich fruit on the palate, shows acid on the palate and simple finish.

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• 1967 Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva Villa Antinori 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Rich coffee and liqueur nose with cedar, rich, thick, intense coffee taste, at peak, complex flavors, amazing at 24 years of age.

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• 1953 Château Mouton Rothschild 83 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Cardboard on the nose, slightly hot-served room temperature, intense, silky fruit, slightly thin on fruit due to bret(?), great perfume on the long finish.

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• 1962 Château Suduiraut 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Nice, oily, rich nose, tasty fruit, opened slowly, finished strong.

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Great Wines tasted tonight. 3 members liked the Duckhorn Three Palms the best.