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Heritage Blind Tasting in Vegas

Jean-Georges Restaurant, Aria Hotel Las Vegas

Tasted December 2, 2017 by peternelson with 621 views

Introduction

First flight was the blind tasting. Then we tasted all the wines that everyone brought, including some brought from Heritage Auction

Flight 1 - Blind Flight (8 notes)

White
2011 Domaine Michel Niellon Chevalier-Montrachet France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
92 points
Round, lots of fine oak showing, a bit of baby fat, Burgundy "melon" notes with a little reduction or straw basket, but also a touch of cream, a touch of tropical fruits, slightly elevated alcohol, good acidity, this is showing like a killer Cali Chard, which I though it was! But the balance was good, too comlex, and alcohol a bit low for that. Total opposite of the Drouhin Batard '08! Heritage Blind Tasting in Vegas--Blind line-up.
Red
1998 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Richebourg Grand Cru
93 points
Very pale cloudy ruby with orange hints; firm sweet earth notes, soft, good chalky tannins, cherry skin with a little tangy berry notes but quite dry and earthy at the same time. Perfume started drifting out of the glass after 20 minutes. Like Paul S. said: "it was very impressive without being particularly alluring." Guessed '99 Rouseau Chambertin. So cool to have this in a blind line up. I thought I was guessing way beyond a reasonable choice for this. Heritage Blind Tasting in Vegas--Blind line-up.
Red
1996 Domaine G. Roumier / Christophe Roumier Bonnes Mares France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
92 points
I thought this was good, but it seemed just a bit too bright and acidic compared to the '98 DRC. I had no idea it was older! Function of the vintage I suppose. This had cranberry, cherry notes, forest floor, pine and anise touches. I wrote "very pretty, somewhat subtle". Guessed '05 Chevillon Les Cailles. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting line-up.
Red
2007 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto Toscana IGT Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
94 points
Pretty amazing. Opaque purple-red; very aromatic with anise, cassis, blackberry, smoke, mienrals, gravel, licorice, soft cigar tobacco notes. Quite structured, but with just a little plummy softness and "red" smoke. Smooth and soft with excellent backbone. Guessed Troplong-Mondot '03. I think first time I've had this. I am impressed! Heritage Auction Blind Tasting line-up.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
1986 Château Mouton Rothschild France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
92 points
Moderate purple-ruby; notes of earth, barnyard, brett, black fruits, and berries, stwed fruits and prunes, band aid and licorice with gravel minerality. Almost thought this was an old CdP but it was too dry, too structured and too dark, but guessed 2000 St. Ducru-Beaucaillou. Glad I did! I liked this but really very bretty. Good brett, but bretty! Heritage Auction Blind Tasting line-up.
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2000 Château L'Evangile France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
92 points
Dark purple-ruby hues; I got a whiff of alcohol aff the bat, showing quite ripe with red berry fruits, ripe cranberry and cherry, pruple grape candy, a hint of dried herbs, dry, gravelly minerals, dried berries at the same time. Still pretty ripe, very full body, pretty high alcohol, and a hint of V.A., I was confused with this. Don't know why but I guessed '04 Brunello Riserva. Didn't think this was that impressive but well made for sure. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting line-up.
Red
1993 Colgin Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb USA, California, Napa Valley
94 points
Dark ruby, low staining in the glass; rightaway got notes of mint, eucalyptus, with red cassis, smoke, tobacco, some subtle oak notes, some ripe fruits in the core, and just a very nice balance, vibrancy, pure fruits, complexity and tastiness that I usually don't find in Cali cab. Stellar. And still very fresh and in a good spot. Guessed '01 Heitz Martha's. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting line-up.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2008 Sine Qua Non Syrah B 20 USA, California, Central Coast
90 points
Opaque purple, huge over the top blueberry, blackberry, fresh jammy purple notes, bitter overextracted finish, boatloads of oak, sweet entry, full body, high alcohol. No, I didn't care for it. Don't know why I guessed Saxum James Berry '10, which I'm sure would have been a zillion times better/or at least more balanced. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting line-up.

Flight 2 (21 notes)

Rosé - Sparkling
2005 Perrier-Jouët Champagne Brut Rosé Belle Epoque France, Champagne
92 points
This was a bit subdued, a bit of stewed strawberry, slight earthy component, nice balance, good minerality, but for some reason it wasn't exciting to me, probably because I was having so much fun at this dinner I wasn't paying attention. This edition had a led light on the bottom lighting up the floral design. Thanks Puay! Heritage Blind Tasting in Vegas
White - Sparkling
2005 Launois Pere et Fils Champagne Grand Cru Special Club Blanc de Blancs France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
90 points
Nice but bubbles dropped off sort of quick which I've noticed with lots of Special Club bottlings. Richer, seemed pinot heavy (even though a BdB!) touch oxidative or age showing not in a bad way.
White
2008 Joseph Drouhin Bâtard-Montrachet France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru
94 points
Stellar wine--amazing earthy notes, dark pit fruits, minerals, silky with great structure. Kicked '11 Niellon Chevalier's butt. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting--dinner wines.
White
2011 Sine Qua Non The Moment USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
91 points
Actually not half bad--Chard and no wonder: 57% Roussanne, 19% Petit Manseng, 17% Chardonnay and 7% Viognier that spent 16 months in a combination of concrete, new and used barrels, and stainless steel. I was wondering where the oak was! Pretty creamy, not oaky, with a bit of lift, really cool. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
1982 Château Mouton Rothschild France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
94 points
Really good, classic Mouton with exotic notes, soy, still some subtle mixed berries, earth, pipe tobacco, aged notes showing, supple, medium body. Really cool to taste this but wedged in between so many other great wines; no notes. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
1 person found this helpful Comment
White
2004 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru
93 points
Super good Chablis and in a great spot now. Kept pouring this to balance out all of the other heavy hitters at this tasting. Classic, good depth and concentration, nice verve, barely showing much age, I like. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
1996 Domaine Leroy Nuits St. Georges France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges
94 points
Amazing wine, and just village level? You gotta be kidding me. Perfumed, stewed strawberry, cherry skin, exotic notes, just a hint of funk, touch of anise, soft in the mouth, but good soft tannins, going really strong now. So cool. Maybe only thing lacking is a bit of structure? Wonder where they sourced the grapes. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
Red
1989 Château La Conseillante France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
90 points
Showing a bit too much age for my liking--dried leaves, tootsie roll, wet soil, a just a bit lighter than I would expect. Looks like bottle storage may have been the culprit here. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
Red
2001 Domaine Michel Gaunoux Pommard 1er Cru Les Grands Épenots France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard 1er Cru
90 points
This seemed a little lack-luster to me. Low aromatics, kind of average palate--quite earthy, seems like the fruit disappeared. I've really liked other wines of his, but the last few i've had have been disappointing. Also this was wedged between some other very stellar wines. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
Red
1978 Château Léoville Las Cases France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
92 points
Showing very well for its age. Don't have notes on this. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
Red
2007 Sine Qua Non Syrah Dangerous Birds USA, California, Central Coast
88 points
Huge, oaky, hot, gooey, jammy, not my style. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
Red
2004 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
94 points
Incredible Brunello, savory with dried herbs, still some small red fruits with herbs and amaro and a hint of smoke and varnish and dried rose petals, etc. etc. Palate was just as exciting--smooth entry with perfect chalky grippy tannins, balanced on a high wire, fantastic depth and concentration without being heavy or overbearing or oaky. Long. Beautiful. Has a long life ahead of it too. Look at the other notes and you'll see what I'm talking about. Don't pass this one up.
Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2010 Domaine Perrot-Minot Charmes-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru
94 points
Wow--stunning wine. The hits just don't stop tonight. Beautiful pure red fruits, perfume, gevrey spice notes, little bit of pine forest. Excellent depth, minerals, balance, finish. Oak started showing up a little about 30 minutes in but should integrate very well in 5-10 years. Very young wine on the table but did not mind at all. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
Red
2003 Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Clos des Porrets St. Georges France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru
90 points
I remember this being pretty good, a bit soft on the entry, maybe even fading a little with diminished structure. No notes. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
Red
2000 Château Giscours France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
92 points
Youthful still with plenty of black fruit, structure, black earth, dark leather. I like Giscours. No notes. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2004 Domaine G. Roumier / Christophe Roumier Morey St. Denis 1er Cru Clos de La Bussière France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey St. Denis 1er Cru
90 points
Very good for a 2004. Good fruit, some dried herb notes, then a little hint of stem showed up but not distracting. Good acidity, medium body, red berries, slight showing of age. No notes. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
Red
2013 Dominio Pingus Ribera del Duero Flor de Pingus Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
89 points
Really nice, full bodied, Cali-Cab like flavors and body, but oh so oaky. Someone mentioned 300%? Not sure but the oak is overwhelming. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
Red
2008 Château Mouton Rothschild France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
93 points
So good, very young, great cab character, classic Mouton style with a little exuberance and exotic notes, not s blockbuster but very good. No notes. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
Red
2012 Coche-Dury Meursault Rouge France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault
89 points
Good wine but not quite on par with the whites. a little tangy cranberry, tart raspberry notes, medium body, somewhat acidic, but decent. Hard to judge as this was pulled out very late in the evening after lots of heavy hitting red wines. Didn't know CD made a red! No notes. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
White - Sweet/Dessert
1983 Château Guiraud France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
93 points
Medium dark gold color; great nose on this, caramelized notes, baked apricot, pie drippings with old pineapple, petrol, bunch of stuff but I didn't take notes. Very good structure, not flabby, a bit of lift in there, complex, nicely balanced. This is how I like my Sauternes! Old with complexity and balance! So nice. 93-94. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
3 people found this helpful Comment
Red - Fortified
1960 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage Portugal, Douro, Porto
92 points
This was very pale ruby color--almost like a light Burgundy; slight condied cherry notes, a little rose floral bouquet, slight hint of anise, white raisin. Slick on the palate, in good shape, a bit thinner than I would expect even for 1960. Really lovely, however, and an amazing way to top off an incredible wine tasting night. Heritage Auction Blind Tasting Vegas--dinner wines.
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