Cuban Dinner at Emilio's Home

My wife and I spent a long weekend in Florida and were invited to dinner by Emilio and his wife at their home. The last time we visited them, my wife expressed an interest in learning some Cuban cooking secrets from Emilio's wife and she obliged this time around. We arrived early and our wives spent the first hour or two in the kitchen while Emilio and I enjoyed some wines. Jcocktosten, MiamiAtty and their wives/girlfirends joined us for dinner. I don't think I can recall the names of the foods but we started with some Cuban ground beef in a filo cup as an appetizer. Main course was a chicken and rice dish in a tomato sauce with a side of fried plantains. mango cheese cake and brownies with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Hopefully, emilio can provide the names of the dishes. Everything was delicious and the company was wonderful. Good to see old friends and to meet MiamiAtty and his girlfriend for the first time. here are my notes on the wines.

• 2003 Lamiable Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Les Meslaines Brut 90 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Took this to Emilio's house and drank it while our wives were cooking dinner. 90 points.

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• 1999 Dr. Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese 91 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Emilio opened this wine. Yellowish color. Plenty of fruit. Very good depth with notes of pear and apricot. Thought this wine was still going strong. 90-91 points.

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• 2001 Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 91 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  I brought this bottle to dinner in Florida. First time I have had it. WA gave it a 93. This had a round texture with solid acidity. Starting to come into it's own. Notes of green apple and white fruit. 91 points.

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• 2001 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese * 94 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  An Emilio bottle. Probably my favorite wine of the night. Firm acidity. Straw color. This wine was filled with minerals and liquid stone notes. Wonderfully deep fruit with a little saltiness to it. 93-94 points.

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• 2007 Selbach-Oster Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese 92 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Another Emilio wine. This wine was all about future expectations. So youthful, fresh and vibrant at the present time. It had a spicy nose. Ripe fruit with some anise and white fruit. Powerful acidity and a little spritz. Lots of room for improvement here. 92-93+ points.

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• 1998 Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Cherryblock Sonoma Valley 83 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  MiamiAtty brought this bottle. 13% alcohol. 1998 was a below average vintage and this bottle showed. It was over the hill with musty red fruit. Still drinkable and it had some character to it but had clearly seen better days. 83 points.

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• 2003 Finca Villacreces Ribera del Duero Flawed

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  Brought by Jcocktosten and his wife. Corked.

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• 2001 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor 90 Points

  Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto

  I think MiamiAtty brought this bottle. Third time I have had this wine but not since 2005. Dark red color. Very round texture with approachable tannins. Creamy cherry and black fruit notes. Drinking well. Made in a much more elegant style when compared to the Colome Riserva. 90-91 points.

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• 2003 Bodega Colomé Malbec Reserva 93 Points

  Argentina, Valles Calchaquíes, Salta, Calchaquies

  I brought this down to drink at dinner with the Florida group knowing Emilio's fondness for South American wines. We decanted this for a few hours before we drank it. I liked this just as much if not better than the last time I had it. The wine is a blend of 79% Malbec and 21% Cabernet Sauvignon with the grapes coming from one of the highest altitude vineyards in the world. Black red color. A huge behemoth of a wine made in an ultra new world style. This wine was filled with black pepper, exotic spices, blackberry, cassis and some salty nuances. It did not seem out of balance to me. 92-93 points.

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• 2001 Château Rieussec 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Third time I have had this wine. Emilio opened it with dessert after a quick chill down. Similar notes as before. Rich and super concentrated with superb balance. 94-95 points.

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VM