Important Update From the Founder

Degustateurs with 1955 bookends.

Oceanique Restaurant Evanston IL

Tasted August 31, 2022 by jlgnml with 106 views

Introduction

This was my tasting night and the theme with the help of my wife, was wines I have never served to the group.
Our tasting group was founded in 1967 and I along with Ed and Tom are 2nd generations. I ran the group for 20+years and we are still a very vibrant 17 member group.
The starter was en magnum followed by older white AU wines all in screwtop, the a Portuguese flight, Spanish Rioja vertical and 1955 bookends. A really nice night with exceptional food. Thank you Chef Grosz.

Flight 1 (1 note)

Red shrimp skewers and Roasted Oysters

Rosé - Sparkling

1990 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut Rosé Vintage France, Champagne

95 points

Out of magnum, wonderful rich salmon color, good nose, sensuous on the palate with a long finish. The right way to start a tasting evening.

1 person found this helpful Comment

Flight 2 (3 notes)

Maine Lobster, beets, red onion, broccolini and yuzu-saffron

White

2014 Howard Park Chardonnay Australia, Western Australia

94 points

Wonderful fruit on the palate. But against the Willow Creek, it was a step child. Solid showing and long live the screwtop.

Comment

White

2010 Willow Creek Chardonnay Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Mornington Peninsula

99 points

Incredible, so youthful on the palate and the finish. Sparkled in the glass, bursting with stone fruit. A real mystery to the group.

1 person found this helpful Comment

White

2011 Moorooduc Estate Chardonnay McIntyre Vineyard Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Mornington Peninsula

92 points

A slightly darker color. A must initially on the nose, developed over time, needed a decant to allow its true fruit to appear.

Comment

Flight 3 (3 notes)

Duck Confit with Belgian endive, spinach, spaetzle and quail egg

Red

2008 Casa Ferreirinha Douro Barca Velha Portugal, Douro

96 points

2 hour decant. Had high hopes for this wine and it did not disappoint. Youthful Port like color and nose. On the palate this was silky smooth. Developed over time in the glass and just was terrific. Hold for 3-5 years and no end in sight. Buy and hold

2 people found this helpful Comments (2)

Red

2007 Casa Ferreirinha Douro Reserva Portugal, Douro

99 points

2 hour decant. So smooth and almost perfect. Needs a couple more years but what a ride you will have if this is in your cellar. #1 wine of the evening.

1 person found this helpful Comment

Red

2005 Quinta do Crasto Douro Vinha Maria Teresa Portugal, Douro

96 points

Decanted for 2 hours and the color and nose were beautiful. The flavor swirls on the palate with its smoothness. Long finish. Enjoy. Drink.

1 person found this helpful Comment

Flight 4 (3 notes)

Prim Creekstone Farms filet Mignon of Beef with Foie Gras, fennel, watercress and creminis

Red

1990 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Ygay Reserva Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

92 points

Solid showing. Good fruit and ready to drink.

1 person found this helpful Comment

Red

1925 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

97 points

Older color, 97 years led. Good fruit and wonderful palate feel and good finish.

Comment

Red

2010 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

94 points

Deep rich color, so youthful after a 1 hour decant. This can wait 5+years.

3 people found this helpful Comments (1)

Flight 5 (2 notes)

Day & Night Chocale Cake with Canela Ice Cream

Red - Fortified

1955 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage Portugal, Douro, Porto

96 points

3 hour decant and Wow. Lovely on the palate. Long finish to a great night of tasting.

1 person found this helpful Comment

White - Sweet/Dessert

1955 Château d'Yquem France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

96 points

Very dark caramel color, smooth on the finish.

Comment

Closing

All the wines were stellar and the food matched the courses quite well.

Degustateurs with 1955 bookends.

Oceanique Restaurant Evanston IL

Introduction

Flight 1 (1 note)

Flight 2 (3 notes)

Flight 3 (3 notes)

Flight 4 (3 notes)

Flight 5 (2 notes)

Closing

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