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Friday Night Brown Bagger
Eagle Brook Country Club
Tasted February 19, 2021 by AllRed with 92 views
Introduction
The Friday group gathered for the regular tasting. We were able to utilize one of the private rooms at the country club which provided our small group of eight with plenty of space. Thanks to all for a very lively and fun evening.
Flight 1 - Champagne starter (1 note)
When hosting we always plan on having a nonblind Champagne starter. This was quite tasty and a nice way to kick off the evening as we settled in and caught up.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Déhu Père & Fils Champagne Cuvée La Rue des Noyers Extra Brut
92 points
2015 base disgorged July 2018. Lovely ripe orchard fruit and berry notes. Fine bead. Rich fruit; excellent.
Flight 2 - Warm ups (2 notes)
Served double blind to the group.
White
2014 Bouchard Père et Fils Meursault Les Clous
89 points
Pale color. Light color with apple and mineral notes which follow through on the palate. Good balancing acidity. 89-90 pts.
White
2016 Domaine Monier Roussanne Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes
A bit darker in color than expected, with a subtle varnishy note in the bouquet. Soft on the palate with melon and orchard fruit tones.
Flight 3 - Reds (4 notes)
Red
2016 Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon Le Pich
Double blind. Dark color with notes of blackberry, black cherry and perfume with a liqueur-like sweetness. Firm, youthful tannins. Flavors of blackberry liqueur, raspberry and chocolate. Drying, chalky tannins. The tannins and blackberry qualities had me thinking petite sirah here. Not off to a good start. (R&D)
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Comment
Red
2011 Aston Pinot Noir Estate
91 points
Double blind. Light ruby red color, shows perhaps a bit of age. Cherry and rhubarb dominate, with red plum and earthy undertones. Cherry and rhubarb fruit on the palate. Finishes with good length. Guessed Sonoma pinot. Drink now. 91-92 pts. (R&R)
Red
2015 Bodegas Hornillos Ballesteros Ribera del Duero Mibal Joven
Double blind. Immediately appealing, this opens with a tar/asphalt note followed by black fruit and sandalwood. Abundant dark fruit on the palate supporting firm, chewy tannin. Excellent. (J&J)
Red
2018 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points
Double blind. Deep, opaque color. Aromas of violet liqueur, blue fruit, black fruit, pepper and vanilla. In a word- big. Loads of ripe, but not overdone, black fruit on the palate. In some ways this reminds me of an SQN in that the fruit is big and nicely ripe yet feels nicely balanced. Long finish; dark fruit and wood spices. 92+ pts. (R&R)
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Flight 4 - Reds (4 notes)
Red
2010 Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Enea
93 points
Blind, though I had a suspicion this was one of the Mugas. Opens with a perfumed flroal top note along with black fruit and spice. Full-bodied. Mixed red and black fruits on the palate. Very clean and pure, with really nice fruit. Excellent. 93+ pts.
This had been decanted for 3.5 hrs then rebottled and poured 5+ hrs later.
This had been decanted for 3.5 hrs then rebottled and poured 5+ hrs later.
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Comment
Red
2011 Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Enea
Blind. Dark color. Aromas of black fruit, perfume, earth and leather. On the full side of medium-bodied. Flavors of red fruit, iron and spice. Much more rustic than the 2010 that ended up preceding this.
This had been decanted for 3.5 hrs then rebottled and poured 5+ hrs later.
This had been decanted for 3.5 hrs then rebottled and poured 5+ hrs later.
1 person found this helpful
Comment
Red
2016 Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
Double blind. Opaque inky color. Notes of black currant, green tobacco, blue fruit, blackberry liqueur and perfume with just the slightest hint of alcoholic heat. Balanced. Firm, sweet tannins with black fruit liqueur, vanilla and chocolate tones. Guessed Napa cabernet. (R&D)
Red
2012 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points
Double blind. Tobacco, black fruit and floral elements. The palate follows the bouquet. Nicely balanced. Excellent. (J&J)
Flight 5 - Bonus wine (1 note)
A tradition in the Friday group, there's always one final bonus red to end the evening. I wanted to go in a different direction than I had for the main flights (the pair of Mugas), and this fit the bill nicely.
Red
1989 Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Sonoma Mountain
88 points
This had been gently double decanted off its sediment roughly 6 hours prior to being poured. A touch of vegetal/weedy brett with red fruit underneath. Hints of herb, tobacco and saddle leather. Nice, with some charm remaining, but clearly on the back end of peak as the fruit is fading. Drink 'em up.
Flight 6 - Dessert wines (2 notes)
White - Sweet/Dessert
1990 Château La Tour Blanche Sauternes
93 points
Double blind. Light golden color. Abundant stone fruit and honeyed marmalade qualities with balancing acidity. Lengthy finish. Absolutely delightful. Guessed Rieussec. 93-94 pts. (J&J)
White - Sweet/Dessert
2005 Chateau St. Jean Johannisberg Riesling Select Late Harvest Belle Terre Vineyard
flawed
A bit funky & odd- not a pristine sample.
Closing
See you in March!