Open THAT Bottle - at Dan's!
Dan's House
Tasted October 20, 2022 by I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine with 116 views
Introduction
This is part of our Open THAT Bottle series we do every other month. The purpose is to drink wines without comparing them to others, where they can be more enjoyed rather than analyzed. How many times have you gone to a tasting and compared a bunch of great wines? Especially, where even one of the "worst" wines in the group was truly stellar, but ignored because it was drank next to wine that was showing even more remarkably? This tasting was designed to just enjoy one wine from a category on its own, where the wine is allowed to just shine! I love doing this, where the wine is not being actively compared to others. Rather, we can just kick back and enjoy the ride! Of note, there are only three of us, so we get good pours and opportunity to follow the wine for a longer period of time.
Flight 1 - Champagne (1 note)
White - Sparkling
2008 J. Lassalle Champagne Premier Cru Special Club
France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru
I thought this was drinking great! At first I was worried it would be too young, but it showed nice balance and nice acidity and just drank well! Nose showed plenty of yeast and brioche with hints of straw, limestone and seashell. Palate showed plenty of tart apple, pear and some baked bread with notes of ginger and spice. A lovely Champagne and a great start to our tasting! 93+
Flight 2 - White wine (1 note)
White
2012 Domaine Serene Chardonnay Recolte Grand Cru
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
PnP - Love this Chardonnay! Similar to my last notes, and perhaps even a tad better! Plenty of big fruit and well-integrated oak. This wine has aged beautifully, and this may have been the best yet for this Chardonnay! Worth every penny, IMO, and ages superbly! 95+ no problem! A chardonnay I could drink everyday!
Flight 3 - THAT Bottle (1 note)
Red
2010 Marcassin Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Love Marcassin! One of the best producers in CA, if not the world, at. least for my palate.....just wish after 15 years, I could get on the list! Thank God for friends! Is it big? Hell yes! Tons of fruit, lots of dark cherry with notes of cedar and spice. Creamy mouthfeel and also shows some blackberry and some slight cocoa notes too. One person thought it was alcoholic, but I couldn't detect any heat/alcohol at all.....just luscious red and black fruit with some cream......when asked if I would have pegged this for a pinot blind, I hope I would have, but looking tan objectively, I could have mistaken this for a creamy Sangiovese at first, but I think would have eventually figured big, creamy Pinot! Easy 96 points and typical Marcassin! Loved it! 96+ with no reservations!
Flight 4 - Dessert wine (1 note)
White - Sweet/Dessert
2007 Château Coutet Barsac
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac
Very nice Coutet, and surprisingly not overly sweet (considering the vintage and Barsac....I typically find Coutet hit or miss, but this was a hit! Really complemented the delicious dessert Elise made with pumpkin creme fraiche and graham cracker (and other amazing ingredients!) The wine showed plenty of stone fruit, including apricot, peach and nectarine, with hints of orange peel and cream....just enough acidity to keep the sweetness in check. An excellent Coutet! 93+
Closing
Another great tasting with good friends, good food, and of course, good wines! Hope you enjoyed the notes and were able to vicariously (and virtually) join us! CHEERS!
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