Important Update From the Founder

9th Annual Holiday Dinner and Cellar Raid

Naperville, IL

Tasted December 14, 2019 by bablues with 390 views

Introduction

9th Annual Christmas Dinner and cellar raid. The theme was Cabernet Franc from around the world. Cab Franc is traditionally a wine that drinks better young, however most of the wines were 10+ years old and for the most part, they surprised me on how well they held up.

After the flight, we had an opportunity to open some very interesting wines, most notably a 1958 Barolo, 2010 Next of Kyn and some other amazing wines. While normally I don't provide tasting notes, I do provide a reasonable score based on memory. the good news is that this year, there wasn't any wines that I failed to recall drinking like I did last year. Phew..

Flight 1 - Opening Wines (7 notes)

Wines that were opened as friends arrived prior to tasting flight and cellar raid

White

2009 Weingut Josef Leitz Rüdesheimer Drachenstein Riesling Dragonstone Germany, Rheingau

90 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Very nice Riesling that I haven't had in a number of years. Held up well

Comment

White

2007 Weingut Brandl Riesling Zöbinger Heiligenstein Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal

91 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Much different than when I last opened in 2011. Light, crisp and delicious

1 person found this helpful Comment

White

2013 Kosta Browne Chardonnay One Sixteen USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

92 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Nice as always. Softer than previous vintages, but still a lot going on

Comment

Red

2013 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

91 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Last of my Sonoma Coasts KB's. This was a great start to the evening

1 person found this helpful Comment

Red

2010 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Las Alturas Vineyard USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

91 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Crowd pleaser. Held up well to 13 KB Sonoma Coast

1 person found this helpful Comment

White

2016 Alban Vineyards Viognier Alban Estate Vineyard USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

93 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Stellar wine. Wasn't planning on opening this as I want to spend some time, but folks were looking for a white that was chilled and this fit the bill. Only had a small taste, but that was enough to see what this was packing.

1 person found this helpful Comment

Red

2008 Bodegas El Nido Jumilla Clio Spain, Murcia, Jumilla

92 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Only got a small taste as this was the last bottle before the Cab Franc flight and was busy preparing. Always a hit with a large crowd

Comment

Flight 2 - Wine flight - Cabernet Franc from around the world (8 notes)

Red

2003 Marc Brédif Chinon France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon

90 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. First of the Cab Franc's and wanted to start with a Chinon so people can see where it is most prominent. Very light on it's feet and the fruit was fading a bit, but still very elegant.

Comment

Red

2009 Flora Springs Cabernet Franc USA, California, Napa Valley

88 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. I haven't had one of these in years and I was never really impressed with them. Majority of the guests liked this a lot, although I didn't think it was all that interesting

Comment

Red

1998 Lang & Reed Cabernet Franc Premier Etage USA, California, Napa Valley

91 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. I liked this a lot. Perhaps not textbook Cab Franc, but a nice wine nonetheless. Light and balanced even for 20+ years

Comment

Red

2000 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma

91 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Excellent showing for this. Def past it's prime but still a nice wine and had a bit more minerality than the others

Comment

Red

2006 Revolver Wine Company Cabernet Franc The Fury USA, California, Napa Valley

93 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. The last of 6 bottles that I've been following over the last nine years. This had always been one of my favorite Cab Fran's but the last bottle seemed like it was over the hill. Must have been bottle variation as this one was spot on. Majority of guests thought this was the best of the Cab Franc's

Comment

Red

2008 Owen Roe Cabernet Franc Rosa Mystica USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

92 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. This was up there with the Revolver (the Fury), although most preferred the former. It's been 9 years since I had this asn I'd say it is just as good today as it was then

Comment

Red

2005 Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

92 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. I was expecting this to be the top of the heap of the Cab Franc's, and although it was still very good, the Owen Roe and Revolver was just a bit better.

Comment

Red

2005 Les Quatre Terroirs Chinon France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon

89 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Ended the flight with another Chinon. This was very light and past it's prime but still a good representation of Chinon.

Comment

Flight 3 - Cellar Raid (17 notes)

As is custom, after dinner and the wine flight each guest goes into the cellar and chooses a wine. Very few are off limits, and this year was no exception. Each year we keep pushing the boundaries of legendary wines. Probably a little more diverse this year in getting to regions that we normally don't get to

Red

1958 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Riserva Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

91 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Very interesting experience. Pulled the cork with a Ah So and still had issues. Decanted through a cheese cloth let sit for some time. Very light in the glass. Nose was a little funky and the palate was all strawberries. Considerable acidity remains and a decent mouthfeel. I liked it a lot although some didn't. Worth the price in my opinion.

Comment

Red

1996 Mauro Sebaste Barolo Prapò Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

92 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Most others preferred this to the 1958. I thought it was elegant and still had some punch to it as well. I love the 96 Barolo's

Comment

Red

2010 Next of Kyn No~4 Cumulus Vineyard USA, California, Central Coast

98 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. My second experience with the NoK. Last year I had the #3 (2009) and it was the best wine that I ever tasted. This was right up there, but not quite the perfection in my mouth as last year. Guests were flipping out of the pure elegance and power that you get with these wines

Comment

Red

2006 Patrick Lesec Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Bargeton France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

94 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Probably one of the biggest surprises of the night. Drinking along side some serious wines, this one at a tenth of the price was shining through and providing sheer joy. I loved it

Comment

Red

2007 TOR Cuvée Susan USA, California, Napa Valley

92 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Last had this in 2015 and this was just as good as then. Great value when considering the wines it was up against.

Comment

Red

2015 Saxum G2 Vineyard USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles Willow Creek District

99 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. This was most guests wine of the night and for me it is hard not to give it the WOTN. Beauty, elegance, balance, flavor all wrapped up in mouthfeel that is like silk. Could be my favorite Saxum to date

3 people found this helpful Comment

Red

2005 Château Lascombes France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

95 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Sad to see this one go as it my last and would have loved to try this on it's 20th birthday. However, someone grabbed this as their choice, and it seemed like a great time to try. Just as good as in 2016, although perhaps a bit more balanced

5 people found this helpful Comment

Red

2014 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Galitzine Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

99 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. First of 5 the Galitzine and happy to have the opportunity check in on it. Had the 14 QC Cabernet last year and though that was amazing, this was right there. I was going back and forth on whether this was the WOTN for me, but ultimately the Saxum G2 got the nod

2 people found this helpful Comment

Red

2005 Pierre Gaillard Côte-Rôtie Cuvée Unique Côte Rozier France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

93 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Finally a Northern Rhone to try along with the Rhone Rangers. I have always loved this wine and it shows what a reasonably priced Cote Rotie is all about.

Comment

Red

2006 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon USA, California, Napa Valley

94 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Big, dark and powerful. The Napa fans loved this one

2 people found this helpful Comment

Red

2003 Andrew Will Champoux Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills

95 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. My fav of all the Andrew Will wines. The fruit that is bursting out is wonderful and it doesn't seem to ever fade. This is my eighth bottled of the 03 that I have opened and still have two left. Pound for pound (and dollar for dollar), one of the best wines of the universe

Comment

Red

2008 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon USA, California, Napa Valley

91 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Crowd pleaser as usual. Not as interesting as they once were to me, but you can not deny the consistency year after year.

Comment

Red

2008 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon USA, California, Napa Valley

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes.. #2 of the Caymus for the evening

Comment

Red

2012 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

95 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. I love opening the HP's with guests who may not be familiar with the style of these wines. It is truly a love it or hate it wine. I have found that with more time, the funkiness blows off quicker and you get to the core of what these wines are about. these are savory wines that make you really think about what it is you are tasting.

1 person found this helpful Comment

Red

2006 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

94 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. One of the guests who was new to Barolo, stated that they didn't feel they liked the varietal based on the 1958 and 1996 that we trid. I explained that they wouldn't be the norm and suggested the Cicala for us to try. Beautiful wine that shows what a young Barolo is like (although is 13 years really young). Needless to say, he is a now a fan of Barolo

1 person found this helpful Comment

Red

2006 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Larkmead Vineyard USA, California, Napa Valley

96 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Similar to notes written in 2015. Very vegetal and explosive black fruits

Comment

Red

2005 Bodegas y Viñedos San Roman Toro Viña San Román Spain, Castilla y León, Toro

92 points

Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. It has been quite some time wince I opened a San Roman. Would never have guessed this was 14 years old. Still how the power and finesse from it's youth. This was the last bottle of the night and our palates were tired, but this was a nice finish

Comment

Closing

A definite record in number of bottles as we hit 32 this year. I don't think we had more than 25/26 in the past. Epic night...

9th Annual Holiday Dinner and Cellar Raid

Naperville, IL

Introduction

Flight 1 - Opening Wines (7 notes)

Flight 2 - Wine flight - Cabernet Franc from around the world (8 notes)

Flight 3 - Cellar Raid (17 notes)

Closing

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