Important Update From the Founder
Read message >
Bonham's and Butterfield Pre-auction tasting
San Francisco
Tasted June 17, 2011 by aagrawal with 837 views
Introduction
This was an excellent tasting with may outstanding wines and a few disappointments (82 Las Cases...). The pours were very small, though I did try to go back and re-taste a few (like the Las Cases) that I was surprised by the first time around. Still, if I get to try these again, those notes will supersede these ones.
Flight 1 (4 notes)
White
2002 Chartron et Trébuchet Chevalier-Montrachet Clos des Chevaliers
88 points
Full, funky, hint of mint; palate is also full but low on flavor. 88-89
White
2007 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon
92 points
Creamy buttery nose, palate is clean, crisp, nice balance. Excellent, and very young! 92+
White
2008 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard
86 points
Lovely golden color, good balance and acidity, but lacks fruit on the palate. 86-87
White
1998 Kistler Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard
85 points
Lovely funky nose, intense; palate is oily, oaky and wood, very new world which isn't my style. 85-86
Flight 2 (6 notes)
Red
1961 Pierre Ponnelle Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru
90 points
Coffee, madeira on the nose; palate has some tart red fruit. Overall this was an intellectual experience and an enjoyable drink, but definitely aged too long. 90
Red
2006 Lucien Le Moine Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets
94 points
One of my favorite wines of the tasting. The most amazing intoxicating nose of a berry medley with strawberries, raspberries; palate was balanced, flavorful. This was extraordinarily young but I expect once the fruit integrates a bit more this will be a ridiculous wine. 94+
Red
2007 Domaine Robert Groffier Gevrey-Chambertin
83 points
Tough to evaluate right now, maybe a bit closed? Just OK, don't get too much today.
Red
2007 Domaine Robert Groffier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers
88 points
Cheesy nose, structured, well integrated fruit. Interesting. Room for development, but difficult to tell whether that will be up or down. 88+
Red
2004 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard
91 points
Fruit, structured, lots of red currant on the nose; great balanced palate, love the style. 91+
Red
2005 Roar Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands
90 points
Very new world in style, red fruits; palate decent, but lacks intensity. 90
Flight 3 (5 notes)
Red
1961 Château L'Arrosée
80 points
Brown color, woody palate, absolutely no fruit. Over the hill, but not spoiled.
Red
1982 Château Léoville Las Cases
90 points
I only got a few sips of this wine, but I was very disappointed. Still quite a dark red; nose shows a lovely dusty quality to it; palate shows good tart cherries, integrated tannins, very balanced, but overall not the exceptional experience I was hoping for. I'm hoping to try it again someday with more than a tasting serving.
Red
2000 Château Charmail
89 points
Nice fruit, complexity on nose; palate still young and showing integrated fruit. The fruit may not outlast the structure, so I'll plan to drink these within the next 5 years even if the tannins don't fully resolve.
Red
2003 Château Poujeaux
88 points
Nice balanced complex nose, young palate that is hard to evaluate. 88+
Flight 4 (6 notes)
Red
1981 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace
88 points
Intoxicating nose, dusty red fruits; palate lacks a bit of fruit and is a little drying on the finish. Still shows hints of greatness, but maybe it's over the hill a bit? 88-89
Red
1995 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace
85 points
Lacks nose, supple red fruit on the palate. Not as good as the 1981 at this tasting. 85
Red
1998 Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County
90 points
Green veggies on the nose, palate is balanced, very good overall. 90
Red
2001 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate
89 points
Structured, red fruit, very good but a bit simpler than I as hoping. 89
Red
2001 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard
90 points
Syrah-like, very warm, red fruit, spicy palate with some cinnamon, too young and a bit too structured right now. Lacks some of the crispness and freshness that I enjoy in cabs. 90
Red
2005 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor
87 points
A bit hot, still fresh, good balance but no complexity. 87-88
Flight 5 (4 notes)
Red
1985 Henschke Shiraz Hill of Grace
80 points
Brown, bricking; woody nose without much fruit, not my style. 80
Red
Red
2005 Copain Syrah Harrison Clarke
85 points
Lovely nose and palate, but lacks a bit of acidity and freshness. 85-87
Red
2005 Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Côte Blonde
92 points
Dark purple color, complex fruit, dust, violets; very young with tannic palate, great acid. Will improve. 92+
Flight 6 (2 notes)
Red - Fortified
1985 Dow Porto Vintage
91 points
Bit sweeter than the 85 Warre's, lacks intensity of the nose, but very good palate and overall profile. Goes very well with harder cheeses.
Red - Fortified
1985 Warre Porto Vintage
92 points
Caramel, strawberry nose, moderate length finish. Lacks intensity of the best ports, but very enjoyable.
Closing
Overall, some excellent burgundy whites, two excellent red burgundies, a handful of outstanding cabs, and lovely ports to finish.