Last night SOBER convened at Mike's house, we were greeted with the NV Bernard Bremont "Cuvee Prestige" Brut Champagne and smoked salmon canapes with goat cheese. The Champagne was absolutely lovely- full bodied but with a fine and delicate (yet intense) mousse, beautiful clean apple and citrus fruit, fresh baked brioche, and a little chalky mineral edge to the finish. Absolutely lovely NV. A-
We proceeded to table, and the blind wines starting coming
First flight with tortellini in broth with garlic bread
1- Sweet ripe red cherries, light oak notes, a little leather. I think I liked this better than the table. 1997 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino B
2- Oak, dense heavy fruit with a plodding finish, a little disjointed. Big, tannins a bit drying. John decides this is a 97 Brunello, and he's correct. 1997 Altesino Montosoli Brunello di Montalcino. B-/C+
3- Most divisive wine, some found too bretty, but to me the light notes of horse sweat and manure were easily within my tolerance level. Nice black cherry fruit, leather, finer tannins. 1997 Pertimali (Sasseti) Brunello di Montalcino. B+
Now, I went to Italy, perhaps due to the food match, and Tuscany because it didn't seem like Nebbiolo. Others were surer of Brunello, I was thinking something like 1990 CCR. We varied in how much we liked these, but even those of us who liked were I think surprised how mature most of them seemed already
Second flight with pumpkin lunes with sausage and foccacia
4- Big, a bit tight, structured. Ripe fruit, mint and tar. John and Mark both opine Nebbiolo, seems reasonable to me. I like, and it gets better with air. 1996 G. Conterno "Cascina Francia" Barolo B+/A-
5- Ripe cherries and a little meat, a tarry note that makes me think this might be Nebbiolo too. Short, not near as appealing. 1998 JL Colombo "Les Ruchets" Cornas. B-
6- Kirsch, mint, and coffee. A little bit of VA, alcohol sticking out a bit. Short finish. Not a fan. 2003 Clos de Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape C+
Third flight with braised short ribs, broccoli, potatoes, and cornbread
7- Meat, oak, ripe fruit with John says Northern Rhone, maybe a modernista Cote Rotie. He's close, it's the 1990 Jaboulet "La Chapelle" Hermitage B-
8- Cassis and black cherry, a bit of oak, still some tannins. I'm guessing Bordeaux, though with a few hints we get Madiran, 1989 Chateau D'Aydie Madiran B/B+
9- Dan says Amarone early, I don't think it's long enough. Soft, REALLY ripe, REALLY sweet, running a bit hot. 1999 Quintarelli Valpolicella C
Wow, an eye opener. Couple people say they've had several less than thrilling experiences with the 90 La Chapelle, so this isn't a one-off. Of course, other people (not at this tasting!) still consider it a 100 pointer, so who knows what's variation. I think I would have regarded the Quintarelli a bit better if I had known what it was, it was kind of out of context, but it's a hard wine to judge next to dry table wines.
Fourth Flight with -cheese (fresh curd, 3 yr Maine Cheddar, Humbolt Fog, Umbriacone)
OK, at last an easy flight, Dan and I agree in one minute all Bordeaux.
10- Big structured ripe, Dan goes to St Julien. Young, black currants and plums, some oak. 2000 Clos du Marquis (St Julien) B
11- Sweet cassis, integrated oak, young. Divisive wine, with some finding it over manipulated, but I quite enjoy, and it's my #2 blind WOTN. 2000 Leoville las Cases (St Julien) B+
12- Sweet dark fruit, coffee, oak. Somewhat exotuc nose is better than the palate. Some others dislike. 2000 Pape Clement (Pessac-Leognan). B
1989 Lingenfelder Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese
I didn't note if there was a vineyard designation to this. Dark color, apricots and candied apples, citrus zest, medium acids. Not compelling, but a nice dessert wine at a good price (recently purchased at $60/half).
Fun and informative night. The high scorers weren't neccessarily my favorites. Thanks Michael.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.
