George Kautzman's Round Robin Dinner

231 Ellsworth Restaurant, San Mateo, California
Tasted Thursday, June 19, 2008 by rjonwine@gmail.com with 1,103 views

Introduction

We went into this thinking George was going to pour a number of his famously old California Chards, Pinots and Cabs, which he has collected since he was, for awhile, in the wine business back in the 70s. He poured all but the Champagne blind, with hints that suggested California varietals, but many of us kept guessing French. Halfway through, the ruse became untenable, and George revealed the true theme--that he was pouring virtually all of his small collection of French wines.

Mark, George and Signe
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Flight 1 - Champagne starter (1 Note)

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  • 1988 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année 93 Points

    France, Champagne

    From magnum - medium golden color; mature tart peach nose with depth; tasty, tart peach palate with laser focus, bright acidity, minerality and chalk; medium-plus finish

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Flight 2 - First White Flight (2 Notes)

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  • 2005 E. Guigal Condrieu 89 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu

    Bright golden yellow color; vanilla, honeysuckle and floral nose; nice, creamy textured, slightly honeyed, honeysuckle palate, but lacks depth; medium finish

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  • 1996 Didier Dagueneau Pur Sang 52 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé

    Medium golden yellow color; "rotting shellfish," rotten garbage, lychee nose; faulty, cabbage water, tart citrus and grapefruit palate; short cliff finish

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Flight 3 - Second White Flight (2 Notes)

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Flight 4 - Sauternes and Foie Gras 3 Ways (1 Note)

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  • 1983 Château Rieussec 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    Medium orange color with red lights and clear meniscus; sweet orange, caramel nose; ripe orange, blood orange, marmalade palate with caramel edges and good acidity; long finish

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Flight 5 - Burgundy (1 Note)

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  • 1985 Domaine Dujac Clos Saint-Denis 93 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru

    Medium brick red color with clear meniscus; soy sauce, mature cherry, chaptalized nose; spicy, tart cherry, tart red fruit palate with a sense of stems; medium-plus finish 93+ pts.

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Flight 6 - CdP (1 Note)

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Flight 7 - Bordeaux Flight (2 Notes)

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  • 1982 Château Gruaud Larose 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

    Dark red violet color; tobacco, leather nose; tasty, tart red fruit and leaf tobacco nose; tart cherry, black fruit and mineral palate; medium-plus finish

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  • 1982 Château Canon 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

    Black red violet color; tart plum, herbal nose; tart plum, black fruit palate with slight herbal note, good acidity and structure; medium-plus finish

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Flight 8 - Rhone Flight (2 Notes)

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  • 1982 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 97 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Dark brick red color; bacon fat and roasted fruit nose; tasty, lovely, complex, structured, roasted fruit, lamb jus, tart dried cherry palate with a touch of white pepper; long finish 97+ pts.

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  • 2000 Les Vins de Vienne Sotanum 89 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Collines Rhodaniennes

    Very dark red violet color; beef and mushroom gravy nose; tart red fruit, green bean and leather nose; medium-plus finish

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Flight 9 - Sweet Flight (2 Notes)

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