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Luis' "Bring a very good bottle" event
Tasted December 8, 2018 by galewskj with 245 views
Introduction
11 of us gathered at Tilia for an eclectic and fun mix of wines.
Flight 1 (5 notes)
White - Sparkling
White - Off-dry
2004 Müller-Catoir Haardter Herrenletten Riesling Spätlese
92 points
This riesling is in the zone. There is petrol on the nose along with stone fruit, the palate is round. There is more sweetness than I associate with a spatlese. Lychee and citrus. For me, this could use more acidity and less sweetness. But it is an outstanding riesling.
White
2014 Heydon Estate Chardonnay The Willow Single Vineyard
89 points
I found this to be a decent if uninspiring chardonnay. This was more acidic and less fruit-forward than I would expect from Australia.
White
2016 Rhys Alesia Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains
89 points
This is consistent with the Rhys style, elegant, understated, low oak treatment. I believe this will improve for the next 5 years. While this wine is not flashy, it is completely my style, and I'm glad I went deep on the 2014 Anderson Valley chardonnay.
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Comments (1)
White
2013 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series
93 points
Consistent with previous notes. THis is the best Australian chardonnay I know of. The oak is considerable, and there is ample acidity and fruit. This is full-bodied.
Flight 2 (10 notes)
Red
2005 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
92 points
This was supposed to be the BF BF. Nonetheless, this was a wonderfully complex and well-aged Oregon pinot. This was harmonious and didn't have the deep earth and spice that I've found in Beaux Freres.
Red
2001 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot Vintner Select Mountain Top Vineyard
91 points
This seemed to be all about the fruit. Fairly large in style although the fruit is crisp and it seems balanced. There was a touch of earth, but mostly cherry, blackberry, cassis, and some minerality.
Red
2001 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine du Caillou Les Quartz
94 points
This label continues to deliver above its pay grade. Several 2000's of this have been spectacular, and this was just as good. Great aged Chateauneuf character.
Red
2005 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape
89 points
I can sense and taste the underlying complexity, but it so youthful now and dominated by anise. Hold.
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Comment
Red
2010 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée
92 points
I found this to be as good as any young Pegau that I've had, and no better. I think this bottle had a touch more brett. Overall, this is distinctly Pegau and a real treat.
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Comment
Red
2005 Château Calon-Ségur
93 points
This was only slow o'd for a couple hours. :( Regardless, this is definitely traditional Bordeaux. Riuch and ripe, followed by cigar box, underbrush and forest floor. This relaxed some in the glass, but it really needed a 2+ hour decant or 5-10 years.
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Comment
Red
2008 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge
91 points
Red to black fruits, with berries dominating. The profile is leaner than most Napa reds. There is nice acidity.
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Comment
Red
2003 Château Branaire-Ducru
89 points
This wine did not stand out that much compared to the 2005 Calon Segur and 2008 Anderson's Eloge. Compared to those 2, this was nondescript. There was some graphite and red fruit. It seemed easy drinking
Red
2009 Saxum Broken Stones
90 points
Decanted 1.5 hours and served fairly cold on purpose. I think the wine was better cold, because this is a monster wine and it is not that balanced. It is hard not to be impressed by the fruit, chocolate and earth on the nose and palate. Hate to say it, but the nose leaps out of the glass. I didn't find this jammy, just heavy. The lack of acid or any balancing flavor is apparent. I find it humorous that this is called Broken Stones and lacks minerality. I'll just have to say "Different strokes" and I can understand if others are impressed by its richness.
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Comment
Red
2005 Shafer Relentless
91 points
Poured alongside the 2009 Saxum Broken Stones, this was the more balanced of the two. This also had more pure fruit. This is very modern and tasty in a fruit-forward way.