Lunch with Neal Martin

Neal was in town for the Heart's Delight Wine Tasting & Auction. Paul N and I met up for lunch at The Henri. I've known Neal for a long time, going back to his TWA days. I last saw Neal two years ago in Beaune. It was nice to catch up.

• 2006 Claude Dugat Charmes-Chambertin 93 Points

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

  Medium expressive nose displaying concentrated ripe, chunky red fruit, raspberry preserve, strawberry jam, a hint of luxurious oak, charred steak, caramel, grilled cep, and a hint of sous bois, dark spices and earth. The oak presence is still quite noticeable. Excellent concentration, generous ripe red fruit, rich and chewy, medium acidity, earthy mineral, and a medium long ripe red fruit driven meaty finish. It remains quit youthful, not showing much sous bois. We all agree that it lacks clarity and transparency. Hopefully the oak expression will diminish with another ten years of cellaring.

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• 2021 Thibaud Boudignon Savennières Clos de la Hutte 94 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières

  Medium expressive nose displaying elegant white and yellow fruit, honeydew, candied lemon peel, white peach, white flowers, subtle white pepper, rainwater, and limestone. Very good concentration, nicely layered delicious pure white and yellow fruit, elegant yet energetic, beautifully detailed, bright acidity, fine mineral, and a long pure white and yellow fruit driven mineral finish with white flower and white pepper at the end. This is a beautifully balanced energetic wine.

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• 2012 Lamy-Caillat Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Romanée 94 Points

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

  Beautiful light golden color. Expressive nose displaying rich sweet yellow fruit, peach, light honey, butterscotch, pine needle, coriander seed, spicy spices and super mineral. This is incredibly mineral and super spicy. Excellent concentration, generous oily ripe yellow fruit, rich and opulent but also very precise and focused, bright acidity, unbelievably mineral, and a long rich ripe yellow fruit driven spicy finish. Despite being ripe and concentrated, this is one of the most mineral Chardonnays of my life.

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• 1972 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Bonnes Mares 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru

  Medium expressive tertiary nose displaying slightly dry red fruit, cherry, strawberry, dry cherry, mushroom, a hint of damp cellar, grilled meat, cinnamon and earth. Fully integrated palate, still showing generous red fruit, silky and fluid, medium acidity, earthy mineral, and a medium long slightly dry red fruit driven finish. This needs to be drunk up soon.

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