Thanks to w+a & skosh for talking me into taking a break from getting my tax stuff together for the accountant.
N.V. Michel Turgy Champagne Réserve Selection Brut Blanc de Blanc - France, Champagne, Côte des Blancs, Champagne Very solid wine, from the southern Champagne site of Mesnil sur Oge--good neighborhood. Classic, but not overwhelming. 89-91 (89 pts.)
2005 André et Michel Quenard Vin de Savoie Chignin-Bergeron Vieilles Vignes - France, Savoie, Vin de Savoie Chignin-Bergeron Very forward flavors, with butterscotch, apricot and orange peel. Nice finish with good complexity. (88 pts.)
2005 Huët Vouvray Sec Clos du Bourg - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray Clean, and very crisp at first. Became much more complex as the night progressed. Excellent wine. 90-94 (92 pts.)
2002 Bodegas Pintia (Vega-Sicilia) Toro Pintia - Spain, Castilla y León, Toro Right now, seemed like a fairly oaky California Cabernet. Interesting, with hints of licorice. Give more time and revisit. (87 pts.)
1995 Bodegas Carlos Serres Rioja Reserva Onomastica - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja Better thant he previous bottle sampled a few months ago. More Bordeaux in character, with deeper red currant present. By itself, with food, a pleasing wine. (89 pts.)
2004 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Campo de Borja Veraton - Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja 100% Granacha & 16% alcohol. Very impressive wine, that was very forward, yet complex with a hint of garrigue. (91 pts.)
2001 Bodega O. Fournier Malbec Alpha Crux - Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco 70% Tempranillo, 20% Malbec, 10% Merlot. Very young, with an old world nose. Still very tannic. Needs to open up, but very solid potential. (90 pts.)
1996 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe Beautiful wine, with dry tannins and a hint of olive initially, with the aromas and flavors becoming very expansive. A classic, yet awesome wine. Had alongside the 1986, which was a treat -- preferred the 1986 slightly. 92-97 (94 pts.)
1986 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe Classic, amazing wine that was very refined, yet amazingly smooth with good texture. Dry tannins, yet very vibrant wine. What good Bordeaux is all about. (95 pts.)
2003 Descendientes de José Palacios Bierzo Corullon Las Lamas - Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo Very balanced wine, with aromas that reminded me of a good aged Bordeaux. Great complexity, where it stands out, but does not run over you. First vintage was in 2001. 14.5% alcohol. (93 pts.)
2003 Belle Père et Fils Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage Amazing aroma involving deep raspberries and black currants. Great complexity, that will eventually become more refined. As the night wore on, more of a hint of bacon fat and creosote in the background, which should come to the forefront with age. Young. 91-96 (93 pts.)
1999 Stonefly Vineyard Cabernet Franc - USA, California, Napa Valley Very modern nose, with a bit of spice and earth to make it interesting. 87-89 (88 pts.)
1999 Beringer Vineyards Merlot Bancroft Ranch - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain This wine was showing very nicely tonight. Definitely Howell Mountain Merlot, which tends to always remind me of a fresh Cabernet Sauvignon. Hints of perfume were present in the very aromatic nose. Very classic Howell Mountain, but still seemed very young. 90-92 (90 pts.)
2004 Siduri Pinot Noir Sapphire Hill Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley 14.1% alcohol. Very modern with a fair amount of fruit showing. 86-88 (87 pts.)
1983 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Lang Goldkapsel - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer, Mosel Deep golden color, with a bit of petrol on the nose--expected a bit more residual sweetness, but instead encountered complexity mixed with glycerine. Again, surprisingly dry, and an awesome pairing with blue cheese. Awesome wine. (93 pts.)
Wine Spectator Online RSS Feeds