Lori B 40th dinner!

Celebrating the upcoming 40th of a wonderful woman. Braised lamb shank with red wine and mushrooms along with mashed potatoes and haritcots verts amandine. A fabulous dinner and evening!

• 2004 Ruinart Champagne Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs

  France, Champagne

  This was absolutely delicious; the nose was fabulous with pastry dough, orange blossom, lemon peel, hints of spice; baked apple; the texture and depth on the palate was excellent. Felt like it was in its prime but still has plenty of time. Ruinart always seems to deliver

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• 1985 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia Flawed

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  This was sadly corked; seemed to have nice acidity and underlying material; hope my other bottle works out

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• 1985 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  This was really delicious; the color was still almost shockingly dark with a hint of purple; the nose had classic MV eucalyptus along with lots of plum, blackberry, black cherry, some tobacco and damp earth; the intensity of fruit on the palate was quite impressive for its age. Excellent. Fill was bottom neck, cork was saturated 1/2 way up.

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• 1985 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This was better than expected; the nose showed a bit more advanced next to the Martha's Vineyard; cigar box, dried cherry, forest floor, dried flowers; the palate is certainly still good, but definitely in a lighter style; still has nice acidity. Very tasty, not as good as the MV, but better than the '86 Spottswoode which I have had a few times.

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• 1985 Château Troplong Mondot

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  This impressed me, I had fairly low expectations, and it over delivered. Cork was saturated most of the way up; the nose however was lovely with baked plum, cherry blossom, tobacco, a hint of mint and pepper; the palate had lovely fruit and depth and the balance was quite good. My new found enjoyment of the right bank continues!

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• 1985 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  This was really good; Cork was saturated 2/3 up; the nose started a bit musty, but quickly opened up to show dried red berry fruits, garrigue, tobacco, a hint of smoke, a hint of game meat; the palate had great acidity, still had some structure, but mostly resolved; the depth was solid and it showed elegant somewhat Burgundian in style; a beautiful old Chateauneuf. This was from Rare Wine Co; not sure where they sourced it

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• 1975 Bodegas Riojanas Rioja Viña Albina Gran Reserva

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  Shared by a friend at a dinner; this was quite good; nice red fruit on the nose with tart cherry, tobacco, some spice and floral notes. Still has fruit on the palate with good acidity, resolved tannins. Felt quite elegant and yet still delivered nice intensity. Made up for the corked LdH!

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I had an 85 Rieussec for dessert but we never made it!