Important Update From the Founder
Read message >
Winefool Going Away Party and Cellar Depletion
Jack's Bistro - Chicago IL
Tasted August 26, 2023 by Burgundy Al with 75 views
Introduction
The Winefool and Janet are leaving Chicago for Ann Arbor. It didn't make sense to bring some of the more questionable bottles that great distance, so a large group gathered on a Saturday afternoon to help. Sad to see these friends leave town.
Flight 1 (24 notes)
White
2005 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume
Exceeded expectations by far, this was alive and still tasty with good weignt, even if long in the tooth.
White
2005 Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Chablis 1er Cru La Forest
90 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. Still wonderfully fresh for the vintage with enough chisel and weight to show its Chablis and 1er Cru pedigree.
White
2004 Aubert Chardonnay Quarry Vineyard
92 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. Still very alive, and even still very exciting in an old-Chard manner. Mature apple and candied apple with spice and earth and still enough structure for brightness. Probably better a few years back, but holding up very well.
White
2007 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard
90 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. I haven't tasted this since shortly after release, and it is holding up well. Ripe and mature, with enough brightness to hold it upright with its very good concentration.
White
2004 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros Côte Bouguerots
flawed
Several bottles were opened. The one I tasted was well past its "drink by" date.
White
2005 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre
flawed
First bottle was completely oxidized.
Red
1995 Domaine Robert Jayer-Gilles Nuits St. Georges Les Hauts Poirets
85 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. Wonderful old Burg nose with mature cherry , spice, and earth. Palate was less interesting with too much 1995 rugged tannins for the level of remaining flavor.
Red
1988 Albert Morot Beaune 1er Cru Cent-Vignes
84 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. Fruit is still holding in there, but the structure of the vintage is more front-and-center.
Red
1996 Louis Latour Corton-Grancey
90 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. The rare 1996 that is well balanced at this point. Maybe more mature than ideal for this level, this vintage, but a fine combination of mature black/red cherry, earth, braised beef, and savory spice. No further upside.
Red
1988 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage
87 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. Balanced and charming (enough) old Rhone with earth and meat hints, medium+ weight. Not as dirty as I feared.
Red
2006 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
86 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. Getting tired but clearly still alive. Better than the 2006 Koplen, but not as good as the Sonoma Coast 2007.
Red
2007 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
89 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. I liked this wine in its youth, and am surprised to see how well it has held up. Bright enough to allow the fleshy cherry fruit to remain fresh and vibrant enough.
Red
2004 Pride Mountain Vineyards Syrah
86 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. Still nicely fresh but surprisingly simple. Others liked it more.
Red
2002 Pax Syrah Griffin's Lair
90 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. I was a big fan of Pax of this era, and tonight's bottle cam close to my memories. Spiced black fruits with good+ weight, all still nicely fresh enough. Almost in an "old world" Rhone style.
Red
1997 Penfolds Shiraz RWT
92 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. Fresh and mature black fruit with dark chocolate and faint meat, all in complex combination. Probably my fav of the day.
Red
1996 Jasper Hill Shiraz Georgia's Paddock
89 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. Wonderfully fresh and clearly still showing its ripeness. Very tasty. I was not expecting this wine to still be so fresh, but thought it would have evolved into something with more nuance.
Red
2003 Wyncroft Shou Avonlea Vineyard
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. Wonderful when last tasted shortly after release (2006), but now long past its drinking window. Completely uninteresting.
Red
2000 Tenuta Guado al Tasso (Antinori) Bolgheri Superiore
92 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. Another of the day's highlights, this was modern styled but overall fully balanced and harmonious with a sneaky good length.
Red
2004 Lagier Meredith Syrah
90 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. Maturing so gracefully with lots still going on and no hurry to finish up.
Red
2001 Damijan Podversic Collio Prelit
82 points
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. I do not exactly know what this wine might be, and didn't bother to find out. Too old and lacking interest.
Red
2006 Alban Vineyards Pandora
Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. A rare Alban I truly found balanced and enjoyable, even as this advanced age. Still reasonably bright. Very tasty, this made me want a rare burger.