Heidi's Group: Oh My!

This was the regular quarterly or so gathering of the Heidi's Group. We had a goup of 6 for tongiht's spectacular tasting (SS,CV,KB,LI,CS,DD) at St. Gen where they knocked it out of the park with classic French dishes to pair with a truly exceptional lineup of wines. This night was so inspirational, that the seed was planted to make this a monthly event. Seems like a no brainer after this. Thanks everyone for sharing such special wines.

• 2012 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 95 Points

  France, Champagne

  Light gold color. Drank a glass over an hour next to the '02 Dom P2. This was the third time having the '12 including at Taittinger last Fall. This continues to be in that vibrant and fresh mode with plenty of electricity and cut. I fully expect this to evolve even further over the next few years, but it is inspiring now and hard to keep one's hands off when given the opportunity to experience it. Tons of fresh air, tart apple, Anjou pear, toast, tart, great freshness and cut, very bright, green apple peel, very invigorating. 95+(+)pts.

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• 2002 Dom Pérignon Champagne P2 98 Points

  France, Champagne

  Light plus golden color. Drank a glass over an hour plus. My first experience with the '02 P2, but the regular '02 has been a long time favorite. So it was fun to finally get a chance to try this before my bottles arrive. Explosive and ultrafine bubbles and mousse, meet you from the start and signal the sublime elegance that is to come. Wow, simply beautiful and showing the class and complexity of the extended time on the lees. Caramel, flan, creamy and subtle, pastry crust, pear and mirabelle plum; long and contemplative, almond tart, fine lemon, brioche, toasty, stony minerality, texturally grand! This was a revelation tonight, though not so unexpected. I look forward to drinking this side by side with the '04 P2 and watch the stars align. Blissfully good.

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• 2014 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon 95 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru

  Light gold color. Drank a glass over 2 hours. This was right on point tonight. A spendid example of what I adore in classically made white burgundy. There is such a deft had at work here; measured, precise, and beautifully manicured. This is the picture of refinement and harmony, a masterful crystalline latticework of minerality, crisp and bright; Meyer lemon, nectarine, and tangerine fruit. This is ultra focused with tension and energy, cool lemon, subtle gunflint, tangerine panna cotta and a cool limestone finish. Great showing. 95+ to 96pts.

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• 2014 Paul Pernot et ses Fils Bâtard-Montrachet 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru

  Light medium gold color. Drank a glass over 2 hours. It's been about 3 years since we last had this. Tonight's bottle shows the evolution nicely as this takes on more weight and richness now. Dense, full bodied and round, juicy fruits, orange and more citrus, touches of pineapple, subtle lemon cream, honeyed, loads of oyster shell and ocean minerality. Clearly shows it grand cru power and class. Excellent, and maybe even better in it's brighter youth?

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• 2009 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Echezeaux 97 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru

  Medium dark red color with a 6mm transition. Slow-O for 4 hours. Drank a glass over 2 hours. This has a absolute wow nose. The nose is immensely aromatic with so much complexity and perfume to the spice and dried herbs; cool mint, dark cherry, orange peel, dried coriander, underbrush, with some medicinal herbal and mineral notes. The palate really takes hold over 20 minutes, opening up and showing the pristine red fruits with more subtle darker fruited nuances. Although I think it is the spice, herb and also the forest floor with that purity that really delineates this; though the caressing mouthfeel does as well. Bouyant minerals and depth with soft tannins that lifts the palate on a high toned lengthy finish. Gorgeous bottle, thanks Siggy. 97 to 97+pts.

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• 2010 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Ruchottes-Chambertin Clos des Ruchottes 96 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru

  Medium red color. Opened about 8am and recorked til dinner around 7pm. Drank a glass over 2 hours. This was another crazy good nose. Love the crushed flowers and perfume of cherry and strawberries - just gorgeous red berries here; excellent spice notes with more subtle orange peel and green twigs. The palate is medium bodied, pure and elegant, great tension with striking spices, soft texture and pretty red berries, juicy and so long. Classic Rousseau. What a tandem next to the '10 DRC Echezeaux.

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