Cabotte Fourball - 24/06/24

Top small dinner, the first of this sequence I've been able to attend. Sorry the host had to pull out with a heavy cold. My first visit to Cabotte and thought it excellent.

• 2002 Delamotte Champagne Blanc de Blancs Millésimé 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  Bready, yeasty, limey with some torn croissant too. With air some hints of macadamia emerge. Palate has some charming slatey minerality and is fresh youthful and chalky. Just so poised. If served blind I would have thought a 2012. Great start to the evening.

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• 2012 Kumeu River Chardonnay Hunting Hill 94 Points

  New Zealand, North Island, Auckland, Kumeu

  Lime oil, some cotton wool and later hints of passion fruit. Very refined with hints of blanched almonds and some flintiness. After some time a little lemon posset creaminess. Some honeysuckle emerges and just a hint of pine nut. Palate is very well balanced and more-ish just so classy. At the end of the evening there is more than a hint of nata with a touch of charred custard and some sweet pastry notes. Very serious wine and would love to try again as this is for the long haul.

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• 1981 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Viña Real Reserva 93 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Smoky plum fruit, tobacco and well polished mahogany dresser. Some soil tones too. Classic mature Rioja in a lovely place. With air nose develops some hot coals and grenadine. Palate is rich and spiced with a lovely savouriness to it. With air a selection of subtle aromas come and go amongst them blackcurrant leaf, peanut skin, some dill pickle vinegar some conkers and some some fully ripe strawberries. A cool fruited core remains. Final sip has a suggestion of lingonberry jam. Very food friendly and complex. Love it.

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• 1982 Château Duhart-Milon 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Nose has the classic blackcurrant leaf I've found in previous bottle of this with some marron glacé and a little venison carpaccio gaminess. Bell pepper also to the fore with some Oolong tea and faint suggestions of Mintoe and caramel. The summer greenhouse pungency remains to the last sip with just a drop or two of blood orange juice and bay. Nicely mature and understated.

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A cracking set of wines and nice to be able to enjoy the larger pours our compact and bijou gathering allowed for thanks to my co-diners for their wines and company and to Gareth for organising.