Twin Cities Wine Club Dinner Event

On Saturday, September 29 the Twin Cities Wine Club did a private event at Margaux Table in White Bear Lake. The Paella dinner for 11 was amazing and the wines were solid as well. If you have not eaten at Margaux Table I highly recommend it.

2016 Château de Pibarnon Bandol Rosé – France, Provence, Bandol
Solid Rose with some substance. Watermelon, spices, floral and certainly a dry style. Short to medium finish. I would buy this. (90 pts.)

2017 Château Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé – France, Provence, Côtes de Provence
Ok wine but would not pay the tariff. Strawberries, mild spice and a bit sweet. Should cost half of this price. (84 pts.)

2011 Domaine des Malandes Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir – France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru
Drinking well. Shells, orange peel, chalk and subtle fruit. Medium finish and good acidity. I would drink these now as they are peaking. (91 pts.)

2004 Le Brun-Servenay Champagne Exhilarante Vieilles Vignes – France, Champagne
Nice Champagne with chalk, spices, sour apple and a touch of lemon. Medium finish and balanced. This is at peak performance so I would consume these sooner than later. (91 pts.)

2004 Delamotte Champagne Blanc de Blancs Millésimé – France, Champagne
Lime/lemon, biscuit, pie crust and stones. Not intense but flavorful. Solid effort. 91 plus. (91 pts.)

2010 Bodegas Vinsacro Rioja Dioro – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
This was not to my liking. Not traditional and over the top modern. Big fruits and alcoholic. Too much wood. No balance and no acidity. Dump this one out. (82 pts.)

2013 Department 66 D66 – France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes
This is aweful stuff. This is not French Grenache but some American over the top version of it. Marketing at its finest that they can get $35 a bottle for this. Hot, big and spices. Nothing good here. No surprise the Wine Advocate gave this 95 points. Really guys? (78 pts.)

2004 Bodegas Neo Ribera del Duero Neo Punta Esencia – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
Excited to try this but didn’t show well tonight. Bright fruits and wood. Not the acidity the 2005 904 had. Maybe revisit this down the road. (87 pts.)

2005 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 – Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Decanted this 2 hours. Showing amazing tonight. My wine of the night. The dill was up front but blew off quick. Wood, raspberries, tar and spices. A perfect Rioja that is still affordable. Drink now or hold for a few more years. I would not advise waiting a ton on these as they are really showing well. (94 pts.)

2001 Resalte Ribera del Duero Gran Resalte – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
Great showing tonight. Cherry, wood, earth and subtle smoke. This is classic Ribera del Duero. Medium plus finish and great acidity. Love this wine and the vintages I have sampled. 93 plus. (93 pts.)

After Party
2008 Robert Keenan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Spring Mountain District – USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
Not impressed with this wine. Cherry, dust and earth. Was not vibrant and fruit somewhat muted. Maybe this needs more time. I would advise hold. (88 pts.)

2005 Château Rieussec – France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Drinking well with apricot, honey, crème Brule and ripe peaches. Good acidity and very enjoyable. Great ending to the evening. (93 pts.)