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An Outstanding Array of High-End Wines at a Charity Dinner
Fairmont Miramar, Santa Monica
Tasted October 14, 2015 by JonnyG with 632 views
Introduction
A welcome "up-sell" component of this annual charity dinner to benefit LA Team Mentoring, whereby sponsors contribute some revered bottles to event VIPs. I skipped the whites, though they were impressive as well.
Flight 1 (11 notes)
Red
2011 Bevan Cellars The Curmudgeon
92 points
Only briefly decanted. Needed more air, so as presented showed a bit too much of its herbal aspects, at the expense of the fruit. Savory and floral, not as lush as expected. I have a few of these laying down and look forward to trying them on a more leisurely basis.
Red
1996 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba
96 points
Stunning nose of perfumed black fruit, rose petals, menthol and marzipan. Still all primary on the palate: fresh, pure, but very, very tight, backward, dry and restrained. Firm tannins. Do not revisit for at least 5 years, but what potential!
Red
2000 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
91 points
Somewhat shy and unexpressive, with none of the telltale blueberry notes. Muted fruit and spice. Fine tannins.
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Red
2012 Saxum James Berry Vineyard
92 points
Tight and textured, with a prominent sweet spice note standing out amongst the balanced flavors. Let rest for 3+ years to allow some nuances to emerge.
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Red
1996 Château Margaux
96 points
From a double magnum, decanted for 2 hours. This was all silk and rich fruit, along with the early appearance of some secondary, earthy notes of mushroom and cedar. Chewy and refined at the same time. Soft tannins. Impressive structure and a nice finish. 20+ years ahead.
Red
1998 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia
94 points
Voluptuous, rich and drinking at peak, with loads of berry, currant, floral and mineral components, sweet, firm tannins and no noticeable oak. The most feminine Ornellaia I've had.
Red
2009 Fortunate Son Cabernet Sauvignon
94 points
Lush, pure and decadent, with layer after layer of dark, ripe fruit on the seamless palate. Silky tannins. Round, warming finish.
Red
2010 Ovid Red Wine
95 points
A stunning expression of Bordeaux varietals in Napa. Notable extraction, with loads of dense, rich red fruit, soy, herbs and smoke. Great complexity and structure and ample acidity, harmonious and balanced.
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Red
2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia
93 points
From a double magnum, with no decant. Ripe nose with notable floral components and a touch of earthiness. A bit shy in the glass, with restrained red fruit and a backwardness. Would have benefited from air, no doubt. Great texture. More floral notes emerge in the long, layered finish. Should take on complexity with more age.
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Red
1990 Dalla Valle Maya
97 points
Gentle, elegant and gracious, with sweet black currants, some cherry, green and white pepper and earthy notes, all balanced by the acidity. Ripe, fine-grained tannins. Superb.
Red
2009 Revana Cabernet Sauvignon
91 points
Big and layered with notable oak alongside extracted flavors of plum, mocha and sweet spice. Long finish. A bit over the top for my taste.
Closing
A worthy cause, made even better by the great part of the event. The Maya still haunts me, but I am biased as that was my contribution.