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Plum Market Spring Wine Extravaganza

Chicago, IL

Tasted May 16, 2019 by acyso with 316 views

Flight 1 (56 notes)

White - Sparkling
N.V. J. Lassalle Champagne Premier Cru Préférence Brut France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru
90 points
Slightly sweet, but very approachable, open, and tasty. A touch creamy, but drinks very nicely.
Rosé
2017 Domaine de Terrebrune Bandol Rosé France, Provence, Bandol
88 points
Moderately density on the palate, with a fruity, watermelon-inflected flavour. Juicy palate, but a mild bitterness on the finish.
1 person found this helpful Comment
White
2016 Vignai da Duline Malvasia Chioma Integrale Venezia Giulia IGT Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia IGT
88 points
There are a lot of these Italian whites that seem to just fly under the radar -- this is a fairly nice one. Distinct honey and floral aromas, with that same kind of sweetness on the palate, but a slightly waxy texture and acidity to cut it.
White
2015 Domaine Robert-Denogent Pouilly-Vinzelles Les Longeays France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Pouilly-Vinzelles
88 points
The nose shows a lot more funk than I would expect, but the palate is clearly chardonnay, if a little more spicy and herbal than I am used to, though the steely acidity is there.
White
2016 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc La Crau France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
88 points
Definitely a very clean wine, but a little headier and waxier than I generally like my whites. For the region, a little more acidity than i would expect.
Red
2016 François Lumpp Givry 1er Cru A Vigne Rouge France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Givry 1er Cru
88 points
Fairly generous earth and mushroom on the nose. Quite rustic, but nice red fruit to help with those more backwards elements.
Red
2017 Domaine Diochon Moulin-à-Vent Vieilles Vignes France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Moulin-à-Vent
90 points
Never liked gamay, but this one I can get behind. None of the sucralose, but some crunchy red fruit, and a heap of backwards tannins. Very good.
Red
2011 Domaine Hauvette Les Baux-de-Provence Cuvée Cornaline France, Provence, Les Baux-de-Provence
88 points
Fair bit of brett on the nose, but the palate is a lot cleaner. The fruit is ripe and sweet, with a touch of herbs. Shows a touch hotter than I'd like.
White - Sparkling
2015 Ruppert-Leroy Pinot Noir Champagne Brut Nature Les Cognaux France, Champagne
88 points
Surprisingly mushroomy -- far more so than I would expect on such a relatively young champagne. Comes off a little unbalanced; the fruit a bit too tart and the acidity too high.
White
2017 Paul Thomas Sancerre Chavignol Les Comtesses France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre
85 points
Slight bit of pineapple candy on the nose. The palate a bit thin, with lots of green herbaceousness. High acidity.
White
2016 Domaine Laroche Chablis 1er Cru Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
88 points
Somewhat non-Chablis-like, lacking a lot of the mineral cut and acidity. The chardonnay character is here, but shows a little more pineapple and tropical than I'm accustomed to in Chablis.
White
2013 Stony Hill Chardonnay USA, California, Napa Valley
88 points
An odd blend of earthy funk and honey; the fruit is ripe, but there's acidity to balance it. Doesn't seem as clean as I like.
Red
2014 Evening Land Vineyards Pinot Noir La Source Seven Springs Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
88 points
Sweet, slightly candied red fruit on the nose and palate; good acidity on the palate, but also some unpleasant astringent elements alongside the tannins on the back end.
Red
2012 Château Arnauld France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc
90 points
Very cool expression of a Bordeaux blend. A touch of graphite and lead pencil, with a leathery note and some black fruit. Classically styled and quite nice.
Red
2016 Pian Delle Vigne (Antinori) Rosso di Montalcino Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino
85 points
Herbal, with a mild balsamic note, along with some red fruit. There's some bitterness on the finish that detracts from this.
Red
2014 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder
90 points
Very classically-styled Napa. Low oak, with dusty fruit and fairly generous fruit. Very true to type; not overdone -- enough acidity to help with the fruit here.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Rosé - Sparkling
2014 Enrico Serafino Alta Langa Oudeis Rosé Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Alta Langa
88 points
Fairly pleasant bubbly with a touch of breadiness at first, and finishing with a little bit of that tar and tannin thing. Touch of sweetness as well.
Rosé
2018 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Rosé USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
83 points
Very smoky (to a fault), with a finish that is really bitter; not something I'm looking for in a rose.
White
2016 Nanclares y Prieto Albariño Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
88 points
Very clear note of bosc pairs on the nose here. The palate has just that slight bit of oiliness that is nicely cut with the acidity.
White
2015 Wayfarer Chardonnay Wayfarer Vineyard USA, California, Sonoma County, Fort Ross - Seaview
85 points
Saline on the nose, with some riper fruit. The palate is large-scaled, with some of the salinity as well, but then there's some unpleasant oakiness on the back end. It's not overdone, but it's enough for me to find it distracting.
Red
2016 Bethel Heights Pinot Noir Æolian Estate USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
85 points
Lots of strawberry on the nose; the fruit is very cheerful and bright, but the palate seems to be smothered by bitter oak.
Red
2006 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Bosconia Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
flawed
Slightly corked.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2017 Douloufakis Liatiko Amphora Greece, Crete
80 points
Watermelon on the nose. Definitely some natty things going on with the nose and palate here; the finish is brutally tannic. Weird stuff; not my cup of tea.
Red
2016 Hudson Vineyards Phoenix USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
70 points
Jammy fruit on the nose and palate; the oak here obliterates everything else but that intense fruit. Finishes incredibly bitter.
White - Sparkling
2012 Jansz Wine Company Vintage Cuvée Australia, Tasmania
88 points
A little more tart than your typical champagne (even the low-dosage versions). Bright and fresh, but this could use a little more oomph on the palate.
Rosé
2018 Frog's Leap La Grenouille Rouganté USA, California
83 points
Watery and thin. Alcoholic water? Seems kinda pointless.
White
2018 Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills
83 points
Has a Kabinett-like quality in its gummy fruit candy, but that sweetness is not a good look for sauvignon blanc.
White
2016 Xavier Monnot Meursault Le Limozin France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault
85 points
Not as fat as some other 2016 white Burgs I've had; in fact it's on the thin and weedy side with too much acidity. A slightly smoky nose as well.
Red
2015 Ceretto Barbaresco Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
85 points
Interesting salinity on the nose to go with the red fruit. The palate is fairly approachable; relatively light, but finishes with some bitterness on the back end.
Red
2013 El Enemigo Gran Enemigo Argentina, Mendoza
80 points
Lots of green pepper flavours here, with quite a bit of astringency as well. Extremely bitter on the back end. Seems very heady and high-alcohol as well, but there isn't any actual body to the fruit. Unbalanced.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2016 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley USA, California, Napa Valley
70 points
Par for the course. Awful stuff; plummy nose (so at least it's true to the grape) and a heap of bitter tannin.
Red
2016 Henschke Henry's Seven Australia, South Australia, Barossa
83 points
Wanted to like this more given the producer, but just too big and heady, with lots of black fruit and a bit of eucalyptus. Finishes bitter and alcoholic.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Marc Hébrart Champagne Premier Cru Cuvée de Réserve Brut France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru
88 points
A slight hint of mushroom but also fairly herbal. Acidity seems to be a bit pronounced.
Rosé
2018 Robert Sinskey Vineyards Vin Gris of Pinot Noir USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
88 points
Some spicy stuff going on here, with a little bit of lychee that reminds me of gewürztraminer. Fairly fruity on the palate with some nice acidity. Easy drinking.
White
2015 Peter Michael Sauvignon Blanc L'Apres-Midi USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley
85 points
Less of the unpleasant green things going on here, but you trade that in for some oiliness and herbal qualities. Not sure where the happy middle is with this grape, but this is a touch far on the richer style.
White
2017 Plumpjack Chardonnay Reserve USA, California, Napa Valley
83 points
Oak is too prominent here, but at least it doesn't leave bitter tannins on the back end. Heavy-handed and clumsy, not much elegance in this wine.
Red
2017 Domaine des Terres Dorées (Jean-Paul Brun) Côte de Brouilly France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Côte de Brouilly
80 points
Typical candied red fruit from gamay on the nose and palate, but the finish is bitter and clipped.
Red
2016 Comando G La Bruja de Rozas Spain, Madrid, Vinos de Madrid
83 points
Fairly savory wine, with a touch of dirt on the nose and palate. This is large-scaled and lacking in elegance, despite the fruit seeming to be more on the red side, and the acidity slightly higher than expected.
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2010 Chateau Musar Lebanon, Bekaa Valley
93 points
Slightly volatile nose, with some ripe black fruit as well. Good overall density on the palate; the funky animale qualities do seem to show up here. Can definitely pick up some spice from the Rhone grapes.
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2015 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa Valley USA, California, Napa Valley
83 points
Modern style of Napa cab, not overdone, by hardly interesting either. Can definitely taste the oak here, both in the bitter finish and a bit of vanilla. Veering very closely to the milkshake category.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Laherte Frères Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature France, Champagne
88 points
Some green apple flavours. Overall too tart and lean. Needs a bit more body to go with all the acidity.
Rosé - Sparkling
2016 Davis Family Vineyards Rosé de Noir Dutton Ranch USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
85 points
Sweet, with some gummy candy-like flavours going on here. Reminds me a bit of Pop Rocks. Really expensive ones.
White
2017 Château Sainte Marie Madlys France, Bordeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers
83 points
Too sauvignon blanc heavy is my guess. There's that odd gummy bear smell on the nose, but the palate overall is unpleasantly green.
White
2017 i Clivi Ribolla Gialla Italy, Delle Venezie
83 points
Really dislike the somewhat stinky aromas on the nose here. Smells a bit like a fart; the palate is more pleasant with a good bit of acidity but otherwise nondescript.
Red
2016 Melville Syrah Estate USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
85 points
Shows some classic syrah smells, though of the more ripe persuasion. Palate is a bit of a let-down; there's a cigarette ash quality that's not too pleasant, and the fruit comes off sweeter than it ought to.
Red
2016 Dominio Pingus Ribera del Duero Flor de Pingus Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
85 points
Fairly hard to decipher; just a big wall of closed down black fruit and tannin. One of the few wines tonight where it was clear age would improve it.
Red
2015 Domaine Bois de Boursan Châteauneuf-du-Pape France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
83 points
I like the slightly feral elements on the nose alongside a red-fruited if slightly funky profile, but the bitterness on the finish is a little too much for the rest of the good things in this wine to overcome.
Red
2017 Rombauer Vineyards Zinfandel California USA, California
60 points
Jammy without any redeeming acidity (or structure, for that matter). Hard to drink, even in an ironic way.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Gonet-Médeville Champagne Premier Cru Brut Blanc de Noirs France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru
90 points
Touch of peach on the palate here, which is fairly interesting. Comes off a little tart on the palate, but overall a pretty pleasant and approachable wine.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Rosé
2018 Domaine Charles Audoin Marsannay Rosé France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Marsannay Rosé
88 points
Touch of florals on the nose here, with a slightly candied quality to it. Juicy, and fairly drinkable.
Red
2015 Caves Coopératives de Donnas Donnas Italy, Valle d'Aosta, Donnas
85 points
Nice strawberry tones here, but overall the body is too thin to hold up to the relatively high tannins. Fairly juicy and simple, but this would be a little more pleasant with fewer tannins (not possible, I know).
Red
2016 Lingua Franca Pinot Noir The Plow USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
88 points
Hint of mushroom on the nose. The fruit here is ripe and juicy; on the overripe side of ripe for sure. Touch of sweetness as well.
Red
2016 Jacques Lemenicier Cornas France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas
90 points
Fairly classic in style, with a rustic disposition and some black fruit. The vintage's acidity peeks through on the back end, and the fruit profile turns a little more red as well.
White
2017 Rall White South Africa, Coastal Region
90 points
Slight hint of smoke on the nose. The palate is a little herbal and green, but overall has a nice balance of density and acidity.
Red
2016 Vuurberg Reserve South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
85 points
A bit of volatility in the form of balsamic on the nose. The palate is quite bitter, and the alcohol pokes out as well.
Red
2015 Richard Kershaw Wines Syrah Clonal Selection Elgin South Africa, Cape South Coast, Elgin
85 points
There's a bit of Sharpie marker on the nose here. High-toned, with some strawberry as well, but the palate here is bitter and a little disjoint.
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