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4/19/22 Vinum55 Phoenix BYOB Tasting
Vinum55 Phoenix
Tasted April 19, 2022 by Michael Hung with 168 views
Introduction
This was a fun little tasting with wines all over the world between the guys (and gal) of Vinum55 Phoenix. No specific region, but simply a BYOB wine tasting. Tasted between 10 people, we had a mix of wine professionals and enthusiasts.
The lineup is as follows (in order of tasting):
1. 2018 Raoul Gautherin et Fils Chablis Grand Cru Grenouilles
2-4. Du Coeur Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (Black - Chehalem Mountains, White - Yamhill-Carlton, Red Wax - ??)
5. 2014 Domaine de la Vougeraie Charmes-Chambertin Les Mazoyeres
6. 2005 Sottimano Barbaresco Cottá
7. 2018 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT
8. 2004 Bollinger Champagne R.D. Extra Brut
9. 1988 Château Lynch-Bages
10. 2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
11. 2000 Château Latour Grand Vin
12. 2018 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
13. 2010 Vérité La Muse
14. NV Laherte Frères Champagne Rosé de Meunier Extra Brut
Overall Top 5 Favorites
1. 2000 Château Latour Grand Vin
2. 2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
3. 2014 Domaine de la Vougeraie Charmes-Chambertin Les Mazoyeres
4. 2018 Raoul Gautherin et Fils Chablis Grand Cru Grenouilles
5. 2004 Bollinger Champagne R.D. Extra Brut
My Personal Top 5 Favorites
1. 2000 Château Latour Grand Vin
2. 2014 Domaine de la Vougeraie Charmes-Chambertin Les Mazoyeres
3. 2018 Raoul Gautherin et Fils Chablis Grand Cru Grenouilles
4. 2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
5. 2005 Sottimano Barbaresco Cottá
The Latour was as expected, just brilliant winemaking from a brilliant year - it did not disappoint at all. The Smith Haut Lafitte was very surprising. A lot of us were surprised by the intensity and funk held in that bottle. I think the Sottimano Cotta was just in a better spot over the Flaccianello. As for the 1988 Lynch Bages, it was definitely an experience tasting that wine despite the TN - definitely one for the memory. We had 3 Oregon Pinot Noirs that I could not find. I will try to add those in if I can find those.
Flight 1 - Burgundy and Pinot Noir (2 notes)
Not included on Cellar Tracker are the Du Coeur Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs.
White
2018 Raoul Gautherin et Fils Chablis Grand Cru Grenouilles
94 points
Med intensity nose, med+ intensity palette, pear, apple, stone fruit.
Med+ acid, dry. Clean and pure fruit flavor, slight menthol med finish, some minerality. This was an amazing Chablis. Bright, but amazing balance. Not overpowered by the alcohol or acid and just sings beautifully on a PnP. Great bargain for what you are getting here. 94+ pt
Med+ acid, dry. Clean and pure fruit flavor, slight menthol med finish, some minerality. This was an amazing Chablis. Bright, but amazing balance. Not overpowered by the alcohol or acid and just sings beautifully on a PnP. Great bargain for what you are getting here. 94+ pt
Red
2014 Domaine de la Vougeraie Charmes-Chambertin Les Mazoyeres
95 points
Very sexy, smooth med tannin, great structure, good acid and impeccable balance, spectacular long length. Fruit flavor is pure with red fruit and berries, strawberry, raspberry, some earthy tertiary notes developing of forest floor and wet leaves.
This opens beautifully after a couple hours, with the fruit evolving into more complex notes of delicious ripe strawberry and red cherry compote. Mouthfeel even improves with some air. Best Pinot Noir of the four in the tasting. 94 pt initially, but opened up into 95-96pt
Despite being made in the year of the ladybugs, this burgundy was beautiful and would hold well. In a pretty good drinking spot right now, just give it some air to maximize its potential.
This opens beautifully after a couple hours, with the fruit evolving into more complex notes of delicious ripe strawberry and red cherry compote. Mouthfeel even improves with some air. Best Pinot Noir of the four in the tasting. 94 pt initially, but opened up into 95-96pt
Despite being made in the year of the ladybugs, this burgundy was beautiful and would hold well. In a pretty good drinking spot right now, just give it some air to maximize its potential.
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Flight 2 - Italian and Bollinger (3 notes)
Red
2005 Sottimano Barbaresco Cottá
92 points
[Decanted for 30 minutes before tasting]
Med+ intensity on nose and palette. Dried flowers, dried roses, dried red fruit of strawberry and cranberry. Still very tannic for being 2005, but showing great structure right now. Noticeable Brett and earthy notes of wet dirt, forest floor, wet leaves, but still holding a lot of fruit despite the age. Mark said it is not the cleanest wine (dirty fruit flavor) which is a stylistic winemaking choice. I thought this was really enjoyable and great to drink right now. Decanted for 30 min prior, I think this can still grow with a couple more years, but amazing right now.
Med+ intensity on nose and palette. Dried flowers, dried roses, dried red fruit of strawberry and cranberry. Still very tannic for being 2005, but showing great structure right now. Noticeable Brett and earthy notes of wet dirt, forest floor, wet leaves, but still holding a lot of fruit despite the age. Mark said it is not the cleanest wine (dirty fruit flavor) which is a stylistic winemaking choice. I thought this was really enjoyable and great to drink right now. Decanted for 30 min prior, I think this can still grow with a couple more years, but amazing right now.
Red
2018 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT
93 points
Med+ intensity nose of earth, some Brett, very pure ripe red fruit of cranberry, red cherry, and strawberry, oak notes of pine and baking spices. High firm tannin, high acid, intense fruity long finish. This is a pure expression of 100% Sangiovese. Still very young, dominated by the primary fruit notes. This would need more age to show more of its potential and the structure is clearly there for aging. I would hold for at least 3-5 years before trying again. 93++ pt
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White - Sparkling
2004 Bollinger Champagne R.D. Extra Brut
92 points
Med+ intensity of tangy crème fraiche, cultured butter, sweet apple, with some distinct sweet floral notes and toasted almonds. Quite a bit of tangy fruit on the palette, yellow peach, ripe nectarines, crème fraiche with apples. Oxidative notes of almond and marzipan. Med/Med+ acid, delicate mousse, dry, distinct long finish.
The others liked this more than me. It had a little too much tang that put me off, as it is not my typical preference in Champagne. However, this was very complex and does hold good balance, I cannot deny the craftsmanship in this bottle. I would say this is drinkable now, but can hold for longer. 92pt
The others liked this more than me. It had a little too much tang that put me off, as it is not my typical preference in Champagne. However, this was very complex and does hold good balance, I cannot deny the craftsmanship in this bottle. I would say this is drinkable now, but can hold for longer. 92pt
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Flight 3 - Left Bank Bordeaux (3 notes)
Red
1988 Château Lynch-Bages
84 points
[Decanted for sediment]
Med intensity of leather, game, green bell pepper, slightly spicy nose. Light body, low acid, low tannin. Not much structure or body left and the fruit was basically completely gone, left with the essence of bell pepper and smokey meats in tomato juice base. Perhaps some dried plum, but just overshadowed by the more intense vegetal note. Most also thought it was way over the hill, left with structureless tomato juice. Nonetheless, you can taste the history and age here. While there was the lack of structure, there were very prominent tertiary notes and remnants of green bell pepper. I would say drink this now as it is already quite past the hill.
Med intensity of leather, game, green bell pepper, slightly spicy nose. Light body, low acid, low tannin. Not much structure or body left and the fruit was basically completely gone, left with the essence of bell pepper and smokey meats in tomato juice base. Perhaps some dried plum, but just overshadowed by the more intense vegetal note. Most also thought it was way over the hill, left with structureless tomato juice. Nonetheless, you can taste the history and age here. While there was the lack of structure, there were very prominent tertiary notes and remnants of green bell pepper. I would say drink this now as it is already quite past the hill.
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Red
2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
95 points
[Decanted for sediment]
Med+ intensity of Brett, game, savory, leather, tomato leaf, coffee. Fruit flavor is still holding strong with noticeable dried strawberries, dried cherries, dried plum. Herbaceous bright green bell pepper on back palette towards the finish. Quite intense on the palette initially with a smooth mouthfeel. This wine is quite funky though, with lots of animal gamey notes and smoke that kept building over the next hour. The strong intensity makes you hesitate for a wine of this age. Med+ body, still holding great structure, this is amazing to drink now. While it could definitely age, I personally think further cellaring could make the funk too strong, would definitely say it is time to drink this sooner than later. This is kind of a steal right now for a singing mature Bordeaux from 2000. 95pt
2000 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte vs 2000 Chateau Latour:
Smith Haut Lafite is more intense initially, with substantial game, smoke, meat and animal/barnyard funk. It just slaps you with its initial flavor and makes you question if it really is this old. This was clearly a great vintage for the Smith Haut Lafite and it shows that it can be as good as a second growth here. The Latour is just exquisite and immaculate. With every sip it changes, and never in a bad way. The balance of the primary fruit notes to tertiary notes is perfect right now. Just suave and elegant and ever so mysterious, as if it’s hiding something. Fun comparison: Smith Haut Lafite is like a bass heavy dubstep song while the Latour is a grand orchestra hitting every note on every level.
Med+ intensity of Brett, game, savory, leather, tomato leaf, coffee. Fruit flavor is still holding strong with noticeable dried strawberries, dried cherries, dried plum. Herbaceous bright green bell pepper on back palette towards the finish. Quite intense on the palette initially with a smooth mouthfeel. This wine is quite funky though, with lots of animal gamey notes and smoke that kept building over the next hour. The strong intensity makes you hesitate for a wine of this age. Med+ body, still holding great structure, this is amazing to drink now. While it could definitely age, I personally think further cellaring could make the funk too strong, would definitely say it is time to drink this sooner than later. This is kind of a steal right now for a singing mature Bordeaux from 2000. 95pt
2000 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte vs 2000 Chateau Latour:
Smith Haut Lafite is more intense initially, with substantial game, smoke, meat and animal/barnyard funk. It just slaps you with its initial flavor and makes you question if it really is this old. This was clearly a great vintage for the Smith Haut Lafite and it shows that it can be as good as a second growth here. The Latour is just exquisite and immaculate. With every sip it changes, and never in a bad way. The balance of the primary fruit notes to tertiary notes is perfect right now. Just suave and elegant and ever so mysterious, as if it’s hiding something. Fun comparison: Smith Haut Lafite is like a bass heavy dubstep song while the Latour is a grand orchestra hitting every note on every level.
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Red
2000 Château Latour Grand Vin
99 points
[Decanted for sediment]
Med intensity nose of Brett, expressive red and dark fruits, stewed and cooked blackberry, blueberry, plum, strawberry, currant, cassis. This wine is just sexy and luscious. Intensely complex, with initial green bell pepper on the finish. Fairly prominent notes of earth, mushroom, leather, farmyard, tobacco. This just keeps opening and improving. It just kept getting better with time, with every sip stirring up new thoughts. While I thought it initially was overpowered by green bell pepper, this opens up into more expressive aged fruit and tertiary notes, stewed plum, black cherry, strawberry, cassis. The most sensual and the most balanced wine of the tasting and perhaps of all the wines that I have tried in my limited drinking experience. You can tell this wine was made with a specific and assertive style in mind and they achieved what they wanted to do. I almost thought the structure was feminine, still holding back some of its power and showing amazing restraint. This drinks amazing now, but I suspect this can still go even further in a few more years. 99 pt today, hoping for 100 pt on the next bottle!
2000 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte vs 2000 Chateau Latour:
Smith Haut Lafite is more intense initially, with substantial game, smoke, meat and animal/barnyard funk. It just slaps you with its initial flavor and makes you question if it really is this old. This was clearly a great vintage for the Smith Haut Lafite and it shows that it can be as good as a second growth here. The Latour is just exquisite and immaculate. With every sip it changes, and never in a bad way. The balance of the primary fruit notes to tertiary notes is perfect right now. Just suave and elegant and ever so mysterious, as if it’s hiding something. Fun comparison: Smith Haut Lafite is like a bass heavy dubstep song while the Latour is a grand orchestra hitting every note on every level.
Med intensity nose of Brett, expressive red and dark fruits, stewed and cooked blackberry, blueberry, plum, strawberry, currant, cassis. This wine is just sexy and luscious. Intensely complex, with initial green bell pepper on the finish. Fairly prominent notes of earth, mushroom, leather, farmyard, tobacco. This just keeps opening and improving. It just kept getting better with time, with every sip stirring up new thoughts. While I thought it initially was overpowered by green bell pepper, this opens up into more expressive aged fruit and tertiary notes, stewed plum, black cherry, strawberry, cassis. The most sensual and the most balanced wine of the tasting and perhaps of all the wines that I have tried in my limited drinking experience. You can tell this wine was made with a specific and assertive style in mind and they achieved what they wanted to do. I almost thought the structure was feminine, still holding back some of its power and showing amazing restraint. This drinks amazing now, but I suspect this can still go even further in a few more years. 99 pt today, hoping for 100 pt on the next bottle!
2000 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte vs 2000 Chateau Latour:
Smith Haut Lafite is more intense initially, with substantial game, smoke, meat and animal/barnyard funk. It just slaps you with its initial flavor and makes you question if it really is this old. This was clearly a great vintage for the Smith Haut Lafite and it shows that it can be as good as a second growth here. The Latour is just exquisite and immaculate. With every sip it changes, and never in a bad way. The balance of the primary fruit notes to tertiary notes is perfect right now. Just suave and elegant and ever so mysterious, as if it’s hiding something. Fun comparison: Smith Haut Lafite is like a bass heavy dubstep song while the Latour is a grand orchestra hitting every note on every level.
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Flight 4 - California and Champagne (3 notes)
Red
2018 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
93 points
This is an amazing expression of the stereotypical Napa cab style. Ripe and plump red and dark fruits, black and red cherry, plum, cassis, currants, all the while not being over-oaked but showing cedar, chocolate, and vanilla. This has a great full body structure and smooth mouthfeel. Med acid, med tannins, long finish, this is up my alley in terms of balance. I enjoyed this more than I expected and I think it does Napa cabs justice despite not having a truly unique voice. This can age for sure, but it is already great to drink right now. 93pt
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Rosé - Sparkling
N.V. Laherte Frères Champagne Rosé de Meunier Extra Brut
90 points
Beautiful medium salmon color. Med+ intensity of green and red fruit, dried apple, dried pear, ripe yellow peaches, dried raspberry, cranberry, floral notes of dried roses. Autolysis notes of yeast, dough, bread. Med+ acid, delicate mousse, dry, med body. Fairly floral, but the fruit was a little tart for my preference. However, a complex and well made Champagne that is fun to drink. 90-91pt
Red
2010 Vérité La Muse
90 points
Med+ intensity, red and dark fruits, red and black cherry, cooked plum, red and black currant, bramble, herbaceous notes of green bell pepper, tomato leaf. Some tertiary development of tar and cooked fruit. Oak notes of cedar, baking spices, cloves. Med+ acid, med+ tannin, dry, full body, high alcohol, med+ finish. This is still fairly Californian in style, although it is quite closed off. Still fruit dominated and a bit imbalanced by acid and the spiciness. Structure is a little rigid and was not very balanced. I think this needs more time and is not ready to drink right now. The Spottswoode shows better than this right now. 89-90pt