Met up with some folks from the Wine Berserker forum while in Tucson on business. Truly one of the most fun I've had at an offline! After a great dinner and tasting, we all high-tailed it to McMahon's to troll their astonishly deep wine cellar. A few of us walked out with some treasures! I'm looking forward to coming back in the fall!
Big thanks to Roger and Jon for setting up this great evening!
Welcome Whites
Dinner started off with two very nice whites - the Remi Jobard was my WOTN.
- 2004 Bernard Girardin Champagne Blanc-de-Blanc "Cuvee Vibrato" Epernay - France, Champagne, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne
This champagne had nice palate electricity with citrus, almonds, and some baked bread. The palate was yeasty and mineral driven with tertiary floral and herb tones. (90 pts.) - 2002 Domaine Rémi Jobard Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrières - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru
Sometimes I think my enjoyment of white burgundy is like my enjoyment of playing golf. There are lots of misses and frustrations with both (thinking about premox in white burg here!) but when you take a swing or get a bottle that is on point, I get sucked back in. That happened to me with this bottle. Incredibly pure nose of sea salt, white florals, seashells and subtle melon. The palate was perfectly in balance with a distinct grilled lemon flavor, subtle matchstick, and crushed seashells. The finish had nice acidity and length. Awesome stuff. (94 pts.)
- 2000 Vincent Girardin Mazis-Chambertin - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru
Nose had some warm spices, smokey oak, and bright cherry. Bing cherry, dense violets and warm spices characterize this bright and modern wine. Didn't have the complexity or layers of flavors to take it to an elite level, but it's unquestionably a delicious wine. (88 pts.) - 2000 Michel Magnien Clos de la Roche - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
A truly elegant nose of potpourri, forestal tones, dusty cherry and a subtle greenness. Palate was a bit darker with cranberry, mushroom and herbs. The palate was incredibly smooth with nice acid. Drinking very well. (92 pts.)
- 2000 Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
The nose was a bit boring here with lots of cherry and some dark spices. The palate had really nice floral tones with a subtle brothiness that I really enjoyed. This was incredibly smooth with very mellow acid and tannin. Talk about an easy drinking wine!!! (90 pts.) - 2000 Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
Amongst a nice selection of 2000 Grand Cru's this was my clear favorite. The nose was fantastic with mushroom broth, spicy red fruit and a beautiful floral lift. This has a serious palate featuring a darker composite of fruit compared to the other 2000s drank alongside it. This Dujac also has nice length with good-to-great acidity. (94 pts.)
- 2000 Domaine des Chezeaux Griottes-Chambertin Ponsot - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Griottes-Chambertin Grand Cru
Not overly complex, but an enjoyable wine. This had that bright bing cherry flavor that I'm growing accustomed to in the 2000 vintage. Nice spice on the palate with soft tannin and a low acid finish. (87 pts.) - 2000 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée St. Vivant - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Romanée St. Vivant Grand Cru
My first sip was good...but about 90 minutes later this was CORK CITY! NR (flawed) - 2002 Stoller Pinot Noir Estate Grown - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
This was served blind. Nose had tart red fruit with subtle grange. Palate was lively with elegant red fruits, subtle herb tones, and a mushroom driven earthiness. I don't have a ton of experience with 2002 Oregon wines, but the ones I have had have been quite nice! (89 pts.)
After dinner we rushed over to McMahon's to take advantage of their cellar cleaning! While browsing their massive collection, we sipped on 1989 Krug (a habit I could easily grow accustomed to!). After a couple hours, Bob McMahon (the owner) greeted up and pulled the 1996 Cornerstone from his cellar for us to taste. Impressive wine selection and I walked out with a couple gems!
- 1989 Krug Champagne Brut - France, Champagne
Had this while browsing a restaurant's cellar. The nose was rather subtle with some lemon curd, brioche and white florals. The palate was elegant and noticeably aged with only a subtle bead. Great tones on the palate - vanilla, white flowers, subtle honeycomb, and toast. Could have sipped this all night. (92 pts.) - 1996 Cornerstone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Cornerstone - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Dark nose with pronounced cedar, graphite and roses. If this didn't have the floral lift, it could be mistaken for a young Pauillac. Really enjoyed this wine and thought it had a lot of life left. (91 pts.)
This was a great opportunity to explore the 2000 vintage. There was a commonality amongst the wines - they were all drinking well and most featured a very bright bing cherry component. The more elegant wines combined subtle earthiness and a darker fruit profile instead of the more monolithic red cherry profile of the others.
Great dinner!
Posted from CellarTracker