Rene Geoffroy, Huet, Bosquet du Pape Chante Merle, Girard, Saxum

Last night, my wife and I entertained friends at our home. They liked wine, but were not wine geeks. It was an enjoyable night of good food, wine and conversation.

With spiced almonds, deviled eggs, and garlic stuffed olives:

• NV Geoffroy Champagne Premier Cru Brut 90 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  I have seen all sorts of notes for this wine. This bottle was purchased a few years ago. It really showed well. Golden color, lots of tiny bubbles. Creamy with a bit of earthiness. Slightly toasty with lemons. Nice acidity. Very nice.

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With Butternut Squash, Pear and Ginger Soup:

• 2004 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu 90 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

  Light golden on color. A nose of honey, oranges, a bit of caramel. Great acidity. Leaner than most recent vintages, but not in a bad way. Great complexity. Went great with the soup.

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With Levantine Pilaf and Cranberry compote:

• 2000 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Chante Le Merle Vieilles Vignes 92 Points

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

  This bottle was absolutely peaking. Popped and poured. Ruby color with a fair amount of sediment. The nose is slightly earthy with prunes, a hint of smoke, black raspberries and some cherries. Layered on the palate. Complex and well balanced. Just a bit of spiceness. No hurry but no reason to wait.

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With assorted cheese course:

• 1999 Girard Winery Red Wine 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Decanted for a couple of hours. Purple/ruby in color. The nose is very nice; earthy, cassis, slight tobacco notes. Layered on the palate. Not a blockbuster and no hurry, but drinking quite well.

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With Chocolate Souffle

• 2006 Saxum Broken Stones 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Purple in color. This came out of the bottle a bit pruney. With about 20 minutes of air, it improved showing black raspberries, grilled meats and pepper. On the palate, this is nice, but as Saxum's go, a bit weaker than all of my most recent experiences. Not bad, just seemed tight and not as giving. I would hold these at this point or decant.

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