An evening at Citrin in Santa Monica

A beautiful summer evening on the patio at Citrin in Santa Monica, organized by visitors from the Bay Area. Great group, discussion and new friendships were made.

• NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée 93 Points

  France, Champagne

  We did not have the exact disgorgement date, but it was between 2004-2011. Gold color, tiny bubbles. Nutty aromas, with apricots and stone fruit. Balanced on the palate with great acidity, with slight caramel notes on the very long finish. Delicious.

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Santa Barbara Spot Prawn - Zucchini, Chanterelles, Almonds, Lobster White Peach Nage

• 2007 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne 94 Points

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

  Light yellow with hints of gold. Lemon peel, cream, slight stone fruit, honeysuckle and a touch of oak. Opulent and balanced on the palate, with a zesty finale on the finish. This is a beautiful wine that showed extremely well.

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• 2010 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne 95 Points

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

  Medium yellow color. The nose is Chablis-like, with lemon, green apple and crushed rocks. Crisp, tart and saline on the palate, with great structure and balance. Long finish. This opened nicely after a little bit of air in the glass. This is still very young. My WOTN.

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• 1990 Château-Grillet (Neyret-Gachet) Château-Grillet 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Château-Grillet

  Gold color. White flower, gasoline, stone fruit, roasted nuts on the nose. Oily and intense on the palate, with however a slightly hollow feel on the mid plate. Extremely long finish. This opened greatly with air, which makes me think it should be decanted prior to serving. Still a fun wine to have and quite the unicorn these days.

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Lamb Sugo - Pappardelle Pasta, Currants, Pine nuts, Pecorino, Toasted Bread Crumbs

• 1982 Château Cos d'Estournel Flawed

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe

  Corked unfortunately.

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• 1985 Château La Conseillante 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Garnet color. The nose is quite complex, with bell pepper, sour cherries, dried red berries, cigar box and lead pencil. This is tense and balanced on the palate, with a great structure and precision. Long finish. A great bottle.

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• 1995 Château Cos d'Estournel 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe

  Ruby color with garnet rim. This is still very tight, but with air reveals slight green notes, dried herbs, blackcurrant, red cherries. Balanced on the palate, with a medium+ body. Long finish. I think this needs to be decanted for a bit before enjoying at this stage.

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• 1981 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Merlot 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This one was served blind in a Bordeaux flight just for fun. This bottle is coming straight from the Stag's Leap library, so it is in great condition and from an impeccable provenance. Lively garnet color. The nose explodes with red fruit, red berries and licorice. Opulent on the palate, full body and long finish. It totally held its own in this flight and quite fun to drink. Very nice surprise.

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Wolfe Ranch Quail - Caramelized Napa Cabbage, Porcini, Glazed Potato

• 2000 Château Rayas Côtes du Rhône Château de Fonsalette Cuvée Syrah 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  Deep ruby color. Licorice, red cherries, spice box and pepper on the nose. Full body ending in a long finish. Good showing.

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• 2006 Domaine Bertheau (Pierre et François) Bonnes Mares 93 Points

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

  Ruby color with slight garnet. The nose is quite rustic, with red cherries, dark berries, herbs, underbrush and spice. The plate is tense and coiled, with an iron/blood finish in addition to the flavors above. This is quite complex on the palate, but needs a few years to unfold.

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Selection of Fine Cheese

• 1963 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage 94 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Garnet color. On the nose, aromas of red fruits/berries, plum and almonds. Full body, with the fruit complemented by dry herbal tones and hints of holiday spice, if this is a thing. Finish goes on forever. Fantastic showing for this wine.

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• 1990 Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Moelleux 92 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

  Light amber color. Nose of dried stone fruits and white flowers. Medium sweet on the palate, very fresh and precise, with distinct herbal character. Slight caramel on the very long finish. Very good.

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• 2006 Château Rieussec 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Deep amber color. The nose is quite opulent, with honey, apricot, tropical fruit and caramel. Quite intense of the palate, with the acidity slightly out of balance with the sweetness, which made me think that it was from a very ripe year like 2003. Long finish.

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