New Years Eve for 4 @ my house

Closeing out 2009 with neighbors (no driving) Fun time, good cheer, great food, fine wine, good jazz.

Served with assorted cheese.

• 1999 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Popped and poured, this bottle was singing, red fruits, mint and pencil shavingsin the nose, with the latter becoming more prominat after 3hrs it took to consume. Claret like on the palate with elegant red fruits, vanilla and cedar." Very berry" Very smooth long sweet finish. Certainly in it's drinking window, however based on this bottle plenty of life left. A great way to end the year!

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Served with crusted rack of lamb, roasted potatoes and glazed carrots. Aussie shiraz go great with lamb, this one was no exception.

• 2005 Two Hands Shiraz Max's Garden 92 Points

  Australia, Victoria, Central Victoria, Heathcote

  Decanted for 3hrs, expressive nose of dark fruit, chocolate, tar and just al ittle alcohol in the nose. Jammy and rich, with concentrated blackberry, pepper, chocolate and oak "no heat" on the palate. Very smooth, moderate long finsh, room to grow, but very good now. 92+

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Served with creme burlee.

• NV Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  This bottle was singing as the ball dropped on times square. Fresh and lively, the way I like my champagne.

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• 1979 Bodegas Toro Albalá Don PX Gran Reserva 90 Points

  Spain, Andalucía, Montilla-Moriles

  Thick, intense, rich, concentrated, chocolate covered raisin's, some sweetness, like fortified syrup. Took my palate a few sips to get use to the intensity of this wine, then it started to sing in the new year. However one glass was about all I could take, this early in 2010.

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Happy New Year to all! "Salud"