SL staff friday night- non-american reds
casa de aaron, NYC
Tasted Friday, January 9, 2009 by poptart_nyc with 660 views
Introduction
We all provided a bottle that could be purchased at the store that most of us had not experienced. It was unlikely that the bottles we chose would be offered at a staff tasting. Great choices representing many styles and regions.
Flight 1 (9 Notes)
Closing
Good discussion, mostly in agreement on WOTN.
2004 Château Smith Haut Lafitte 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
a young rebel with a beautiful earthiness, body, direct-yet complex. fruit not over extracted. well made, like the wine made itself. i'm a convert to this label. rated 1st. seemed to be close to WOTN.
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2005 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert 89 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage
young, yet showing so much more sophistication and complexity than my past experience. before- the syrah note was vampiric, and unintegrated. this had silky body, spicy richness, good fruit, and a prettiness i never experienced before. great value. wine 2/10.
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1995 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 88 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
too aged and oxidized american oak for much of the group. savory, light, bright, not quite pretty, but yummy. was a bonus bottle found on the counter of the kitchen. i think i was it's biggest advocate. late in the night after a lot of palate coaters. 4/10.
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2005 Bodegas Alejandro Fernández Ribera del Duero Tinto Pesquera 87 Points
Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
really full and tannic yet still pretty. its youth hints of a good run but no crazy longevity. i expected this to be quality in a newish style and it delivered.
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2005 Clos Apalta 89 Points
Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley, Apalta
rated 5/10 of our tasting. actually group average 2-3/10. my notes were of density and richness. certainly has stuffing. a nice bitter coffee finish. i like the plummy notes. would love to see it in 10 yrs. who's buying? one of 2 wines decanted this night.
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2000 Cavallotto Barolo Bricco Boschis 87 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
we agreed this was peaking. good tar, ripe dark fruit. well integrated and enjoyable. by no means overwhelming. nebbiolo is about the only grape i find worthy in italy.
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2006 Mt. Difficulty Pinot Noir Central Otago 87 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
pretty, well balanced wine with some character- a crowd pleaser. came after the terrible latour pinot noir
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2001 Château Léoville Poyferré 84 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien
struck me as a new world drinkers bordeaux. lots of fruit, not much complexity, no development in bottle. showed poorly against the other wines, rated 8 out of 10.
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2005 Morgante Nero d'Avola Sicilia Don Antonio 86 Points
Italy, Sicily, Sicilia
i think this may need some age. tarragon, olive, smoke and stewed black fruit. a bit dry in the finish. great complexity though, and a good serious expression of nero. disclaimer- italy is rarely my choice. 9/10
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