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Dinner at Browntrout
Browntrout - Chicago, IL
Tasted September 18, 2014 by tooch with 496 views
Introduction
With Seth in town, the bat signal went out a couple of folks gathered to open an eclectic mix of wine.
Flight 1 (13 notes)
White
2000 Henri Boillot Chevalier-Montrachet
94 points
Last sip was the best. Tons of layered citrus, mineral and flinty notes. At first this was plump and Seth put it well by saying, "reminds me of a Batard", and I agreed. The air seemed to crystalize the wine...gave it focus and precision. Gorgeous stuff. Boillot FTW!
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Comment
White - Sparkling
N.V. Ulysse Collin Champagne Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Les Pierrières
93 points
This was Lot 09, disgorged 7/3/2013, and was seriously impressive. Tons of focus, energy and cut. It had a searing minerality to it that complimented the lemons, pears, and fresh apple notes. I think I drank more of this at dinner than any other wine.
Red
2011 Domaine de la Pépière Vin de Pays de Loire-Atlantique Cuvée Granit
91 points
Tons of primary red fruit, lush floral notes, and dirt. Lean and mean, this was delish and a pleasure to try. I've drank so many of Ollivier's white wines, and this was my first time drinking his red. It's what you'd expect from him.
Red
2011 Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Irancy
73 points
Super green on the nose. Green beans, peas...think green stuff, that's what this smelled like. The palate had a bit more going on. Bits of red berries and some floral notes, but the greenness still came through. Was not very enjoyable.
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Comments (1)
Red
1998 Domaine de Vallouit Hermitage Cuvée Spéciale Les Greffières
flawed
Nose was beautiful...smokey meats, dark fruits, earth, just gorgeous. The palate was off though. Probably heat damaged.
Red
1991 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia
93 points
Tons of the dusty Lopez nose of leather, dried florals, some tobacco, and earth. Palate had a really sweet, dense red fruit tone to it...some mushroomy notes, and florals. Lots to love here, and plenty of life ahead of it!
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Red
1995 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate
91 points
Nice nose of mint, soil, dark berries, and violets. Montelena has always been a favorite of mine, and I liked this one a lot. The palate was layered, complex and still youthful with some blackberries, charcoal, eucalyptus, and violets. Not sure this will get much better, but it's got a long way to go.
Red
1989 Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses
92 points
I love with that tastes and smells of dirt, and Raffault's wine usually deliver in spades. No exception here. Smells like what you'd think a farmer's hands would smell like and it felt really authentic and real to me. The palate had the classic cabernet franc notes of tobacco, red fruits, and pepper. Just yummy and rustic.
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Comment
Red
2010 Vietti Barolo Castiglione
92 points
Potential in a glass. Super young even after a couple hours in the decanter. Loved the florals, dustiness, and dark fruit. Super tight as you'd expect, but the material is top rate. Definitely a buy.
Red
2011 Gramercy Cellars Syrah Lagniappe
88 points
Lots of blackberries and blueberries. Gramercy has a lot of rustic notes buried in there too, and I'm just waiting for the chance to try one that's a bit older. There's a lot of promise here...definitely wait.
Red
2001 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Côte-Rôtie Les Embruns
90 points
Needed a lot of time. Lots of dense black fruit, smoke, and some meaty notes. The palate was firm at first, with about 90 minutes of air some of the meaty and spicy notes began to develop a bit. Overall, I found myself thinking more about this wine's potential than what I was tasting on this night. There's a lot to like here and I think patience will be rewarded.
White - Off-dry
2001 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese
91 points
Delicious and zesty. Lemon and lime tones with a touch of sulphur and petrol. Palate had good length and depth of flavor. Loved the floral notes.
White - Off-dry
1990 Müller-Catoir Mußbacher Eselshaut Riesling Auslese
97 points
One of the finer rieslings I've had. The aromatics were just off the charts...lychee, petrol, apple, petrichor, pears, and slate. So so good. The palate was just in the perfect place. Perfectly sweet, lots of acidity, and just endless layers of florals made this hard to put down. Easily the WOTN.