First Growths, etc @ Howard's

Old Greenwich, CT
Tasted Saturday, October 24, 2009 by mdefreitas with 674 views

Introduction

Howard C., Doug K., Jim & Marie B., Mike J., Rick F.

Flight 1 - WHITES (4 Notes)

  • 2007 Alban Vineyards Viognier 94 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    I can't believe I'm giving a domestic Viognier such a rave review, but this was amazing. Fresh and crsip. Lovely lemons and orange peel flavors, combined with (not too overpowering) floral scents. Wonderfully pungent. A bit of a powdery, crushed mineral sensation as well. Very well balanced.

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  • 2007 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Lemons, cream and a bit of honey, but this was lively and energetic, with crisp acids. Some slight vanilla and oak notes, but this will surely integrate with time.

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  • 2002 DuMOL Chardonnay Isobel 88 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Green Valley of Russian River Valley

    Vanilla creme nose. Some drying wood flavors. A bit flat on the finish. A bit too mature... this might be getting a bit long in the tooth.

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  • 1971 Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach Steinberger Riesling Spätlese 85 Points

    Germany, Rheingau

    Dark golden yellow. Honied on the palate, yet this seemed somewhat flat. Some gritty minerals on the finish. Slightly oxidized. I suspect this is past peak.

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Flight 2 - REDS (4 Notes)

  • 2004 Robert Foley Claret 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Very ripe, with blackberry, oak, vanilla and sweet cherry. Up-front and forward, perhaps a bit lacking in structure. While I can appreciate the quality of the fruit, this is just not too my personal tastes.

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  • 1997 Abreu Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Lovely wine that combines the fruit of the new world with the complexity and minerality of the old world. Cedar, cassis, earth... firm and fine-grained tannins counterbalance the deep (but not over-ripe) fruit. Gorgeous.

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  • 2003 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

    Lovely wine that shows the classic purity of fruit that this bottling so often displays. While this seems to be more accessable than other vinatges, it is fine, balanced and well delineated. The blue fruits are concentrated yet not overwhelming. Very good length.

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  • 1987 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Lovely, mature nose soars with bottle aged scents. Minerally and stern on the palate. The fruit is there, but I wonder about the copious structure. A bit drying on the palate, but this was wonderful with food.

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Flight 3 - FIRST GROWTHS AND GRAND CRUS (3 Notes)

  • 1991 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Chambertin-Clos de Bèze 91 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru

    Given the lofty reputation of this wine, it was a disappointment. Primary, high-toned cherry fruit and some sous bois. Grippy on the finish, but the mid-palate seemed a bit thin and watery for a Grand Cru. Nice wine, but nothing out of the ordinary... showed more like a good village level wine. A sample held for the next day showed the same.

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  • 1970 Château Mouton Rothschild 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Fully mature, maybe on its decline, but it is absolutely drinking well. Loads of secondary and tertiary flavors, leather, earth, cedar and truffles. Still holding a beam of cassis. Slightly milky mouthfeel. The silky tannins are completely resolved.

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  • 1999 Château Haut-Brion 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Consistent with my previous note... silky and accessable. Classic Graves flavors of rocks, earth, cassis and tobacco. Elegant and mild for a first growth. In a real nice spot for drinking... although no real rush.

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