My Perfect Birthday Party

Invited my favorite local winos to help me celebrate my birthday (and father's day for the Dad's in the group). Everyone brought a bottle worthy of sharing. I provided the Champagne and the birth year wine. (Was it '82 or '69??)

Consumed throughout the evening, although we did start with Cristal

• 2009 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut

  France, Champagne

  Same score as the day before (preview bday bottle). We went through a couple more of these and it really is a heavenly champagne. It was a great palate cleanser throughout the evening. So light and elegant but precise flavor. I could drink this every day.

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• 2009 Dom Pérignon Champagne Rosé 97 Points

  France, Champagne

  We had a theme for vintages ending in '9' Opened later in the evening and a few guests wouldn't even try because they 'don't like rose.' Wow were they missing out.
  Exceptional champagne, gorgeous red berry fruits, yeasty bready in a good way, so balanced-- acid, sweetness, mousse, and then a long finish.
  Can't compare to the Cristal, both were so good but apples and oranges (or in this case, berries vs lemons)

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• 2017 Domaine Laroche Chablis 1er Cru Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

  Brought by a friend who always brings white burgundy that makes me want to drink Chardonnay all day. This bottle was no exception. Creamy lemon, crisp green apples, mineral and chalk.

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• 1969 Château Latour Grand Vin 96 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  This was a shocker. Wine stained label, purchased from auction, very low expectations.
  Double decanted and served a few minutes later. Dark garnet in color, intense nose of leather and mature dark fruit. This bottle was everything that Bordeaux should be. I would buy more (if I could find it) but I know getting a bottle this good is a real gamble.

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• 1982 Château Léoville Las Cases 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  One of two 1982's and while this was very good, it was clear that this particular bottle was not the best example. Dark fruit, cassis, earth and leather, but flavors not as intene as one would expect for the producer or the vintage.

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• 2010 Chateâu La Becasse 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Drinking nicely for a 2010. Redder fruited and good acid.

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• 2012 Clos Beauregard 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Very pleasant Pomerol. I would put this in the ready now for daily drinking category.

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• 1982 Château Calon-Ségur 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe

  This was an excellent bottle. Probably the best C-S I have ever had. Intense flavors and aromas of dark fruits, spices, tobacco, long finish.

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• 2012 Château Montus Madiran Cuvée Prestige 92 Points

  France, Southwest France, Madiran

  Brought by a friend who grew up in this region and collects these wines in particular. Dark fruited and firm structure. This is an excellent wine, but for my palate needs 10 more years (score is for now and with no decant).

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• 2019 Sojourn Pinot Noir Ridgetop Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Not sure who opened this one--it was in the wines I put out for the non-winos. No disrespect to this wine, but it is always a crowd pleaser and great for the spouses who don't like the 'stinky older' wine.
  This is everything you would expect from an SV Sojourn PN. Drinks more like a cab with it's big fruit but has some nice Christmas spices that make it distinctive.

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• 2014 Domaine du Gros 'Noré Bandol 91 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  I am a sucker for Mouvedre, especially from Bandol. This was very tasty, dark fruited and big, will be better in 5 years.

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well, maybe tied with the Latour. Hard to say

• 2014 Next of Kyn No~8 Cumulus Vineyard 98 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Provided en magnum by a generous friend who also took the time to prep it by opeing the night before. It was absolutely perfect when we tried our first glass and remained perfect when I drank the last 4 oz (snuck into a glass bottle early on) several days later. The was delicious ripe fruit swirled with chocolate and it felt like you could just eat it. But at the same time not too heavy or syrupy. Just so balanced.
  This was my first NoK and drinking it made me even more excited that I made the list this year. Only wishing I had 'wished' for the magnums with my allocation. Next year for sure.

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Such a special birthday for me and some really special wines provided by generous friends. This might have to be repeated! Perhaps every time my bday falls on Father's Day. I always loved sharing that day with my father so it is a day for EXTRA celebration.