NSMFOW June '09--Thirtheeth Anniversary Dinner

The Grapevine, Salem, MA
Tasted Thursday, June 25, 2009 by cgrimes with 1,152 views

Introduction

Our 169th meeting was a celebration of friendship, fine wines, and another fabulous meal a la Kate. This was a black-tie event with 17 of 18 present. Each of us brought a bottle from our cellars, and the event was non-blind. As you can see below, the wines were spectacular and as usual the cuisine was stellar. As the night passed we each brought up a story about memorable tastings with the group as well as some of our fondest wine memories. My wife and I, being the newest members of the group, thoroughly enjoyed hearing about past tastings along with some of the legendary characters who have come and gone.

Flight 1 - Aperitif (1 Note)

Flight 2 - Whites (6 Notes)

Served with crab cakes and chipotle aioli with a fresh arugala salad.

The second course spanned the later whites and the early reds. It was essentially a pesto made from fresh greens and basil with penne and shrimp--delicious.

  • 1999 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Herrenweg de Turckheim 90 Points

    France, Alsace

    Deep golden color. Rich nose of apricots, pear, and minerals. Slight spritz on the tongue. Similar on the palate with a floral character as well and a hint of lychee. Dense flavors with nice flintiness and acidity. Great wine with a nice future. Brought by Louis & Debbie.

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  • 2007 Monastero Suore Cistercensi Lazio Coenobium 90 Points

    Italy, Latium, Lazio

    Light yellow color. Nose of peaches and flowers. Similar palate with minerals and nice acidity. Very fresh and vibrant. Paired poorly with the Zind Humbrecht but so good it held its own. One of the most interesting wines of the night. Thanks Bev.

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  • 2000 de Ladoucette Pouilly-Fumé Baron de L 89 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé

    Light yellow color. Nose apples, citrus, hay. Similar palate with some oak. Good minerality and acidity. Balanced and refreshing with good body. Brought by Marc & Heidi.

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  • 2002 Domaine Francois et Antoine Jobard Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrières 94 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru

    Light yellow color. Nose of white fruits and citrus with a slight nuttiness. Wonderful palate of apples, pears, lemon, minerals, hazelnuts. Impeccable balance and one of the best wines of the night. Brought by Al and Anita.

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  • 1981 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 92 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Color of a carmelized sugar syrup. Nose of almonds and white fruits. Palate very fresh, mildy sherried, with nice fruit peaking out from the nuttiness. Nice minerality. Great acidity. My second experience with an aged white rioja. stevetimko brought one to the Seattle Cellarpalooza last year, and I was completely unprepared for the experience, and therefore did not appreciate it fully. This is a truly lovely wine. Would be nice with paella. Brought by Al and Anita.

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  • 2005 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 90 Points

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

    Medium yellow color. Nose of white fruits, honey, some lychee. Dense palate of apples, lychee, some anise with terrific acidity which brought everything into balance. Love this wine. Brought by Bert & Barbara.

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Flight 3 - Reds (8 Notes)

Served with seared beef tenderloin, garlic mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus with a red wine reduction.

  • 1975 Château Latour Grand Vin 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Dark ruby color with no real evidence of bricking. Nose of some barnyard funk, cassis, pencil lead. Palate of cassis, blackberry, mushrooms, earth, some cedar. Still has gripping tannins. Remarkable youthfulness. Brought by Bert & Barbara.

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  • 1982 Château Cos d'Estournel 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    Dark ruby color. Classic nose of blackberry, cassis, pencil lead, some cedar and funk. Similar with less earthiness and more vibrance compared to the Latour. Still some tannins but soft and velvety. Superb balance. Very elegant and perfectly mature. 2 bottles were brought by Rich and Paula so we had generous pours.

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  • 1983 Château Mouton-Baronne-Philippe en hommage à Pauline 88 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Ruby color. Nose of cassis, pencils and barnyard. Palate of cassis, some cherry, wet stones. Higher acidity and lighter body than the other Bordeaux tonight. There was some discussion as to the origin of this chateau. Apparently it became (or was swallowed up by) Chateau Armailhac in 1989. Brought by Cheryl.

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  • 1990 Château Angélus 97 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Purple almost opaque. Powerful nose of briary fruit, cassis, pencil shavings, smoke. The palate was a knockout of fruit, minerals, earth, tar with a big tannic finish. This wine was a monster compared to the other BDX tried and yet it was perfectly balanced and even somewhat elegant. Without a doubt, this was one of the best wines I have ever tasted. Tied as WOTN. Bought on release for an amazing $38. Brought by Marc & Heidi.

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  • 1997 Château Léoville Las Cases 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    Decanted for 3 hours. Ruby color. The nose was nearly perfect, cassis, pencil shavings, stones, even a floral component. Palate was similar but lighter in body than the nose would suggest. Nice tannins that mellowed with decanting. Still, it was balanced and elegant. Brought by Craig & Margaret.

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  • 1996 Martinelli Zinfandel Jackass Hill 93 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Similar to my previous note. 18% Alcohol. Ruby color. Nose of cherry, plum, raspberry, some leather. Dense fruit but smooth with some pepper and heat but not overpowering. Given all of the components, I was amazed by the balance of this wine. Brought by Louis & Debbie.

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  • 1992 Penfolds Grange 92 Points

    Australia, South Australia

    Color inky purple opaque. Very fruity nose with some smoke. Palate was incredibly youthful and dense with blackberry and plum, tar, licorice, some spice. Massive, gripping tannins. This was a beast and should last forever. Brought by Bruce & Linda.

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  • 1997 Abreu Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Dark purple opaque. Nose of briary fruits, mint, smoke. Similar palate with almost a sweetness compared to all the BDX. Nice integrated tannins. Very smooth and dense. Brought by Julien.

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Flight 4 - Dessert (1 Note)

Chocolate and Grand Marnier crepe.

  • 1996 Château d'Yquem 98 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    Color light brown sugar. Beautiful nose and palate of tropical fruits, marmalade, creme brulee, spices that all seemed to swirl around at the same time with incredible density. It was so good it was almost overwhelming. Beautiful acidity to balance. This seems in a good place between some of the secondary characteristics while still possessing some of its youthful sweetness. My first D'Yquem. Brought by Craig & Margaret.

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Closing

Our next meeting will be in August as we'll unfortunately miss the July Riesling tasting.

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