Last Thursday I attended one of the many wine geek dinner events that happen throughout the year. The theme was simple which was to bring a great bottle. If you are a collector and don’t have a Wine Club in the Twin Cities contact me and I can set you up with the $20 wine club to the DRC group.
Here are the results of the tasting:
- N.V. Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut – France, Champagne
Another good showing. The best of the 3 Sparkling wines tonight. Apple, lemon, chalk, spice and pie crust. Medium plus finish and good acidity. $30 at Hennepin Lake and my favorite NV Champagne for the money. (91 pts.) - 2006 Moët & Chandon Champagne Grand Vintage Brut Rosé – France, Champagne
Disappointing. Have not enjoyed the Moet 2006s. This lacks complexity. Dried herbs, raspberries, too much chalk and lacks acidity. Not my style. (87 pts.) - 2013 Under The Wire Pinot Noir Sparkling Alder Springs Vineyard – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino
Terrible would be a good description of this wine. Paint thinner, floral and earth. Lacks any resemblances of a California Sparkler. Can’t believe how much this cost??? (80 pts.) - 2011 Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Chablis 1er Cru La Forest – France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
Solid overall with shells, lemon, stones, apricots and mild oak. A touch of sweetness on the palate. Very enjoyable and I would recommend drink over the next few years. Don’t see this aging long term. (91 pts.) - 2012 Bouchard Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Clos St. Landry Blanc – France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru
Liked this a lot. Good use of oak. Apricots, lemon zest, apple and spice. Medium plus finish and complex wine. Should drink now through 2024. (92 pts.) - 2013 Thomas Pinot Noir Dundee Hills – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Third best wine of the night. Mushrooms, forest floor, raspberries, floral and fungus. Very elegant wine and medium plus finish. Drinking really well now but should age through 2025. Excellent. (93 pts.) - 2013 Shea Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Block 7 Shea Vineyard – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Good on the pop and pour but did this fall apart over a few hours. If you can trade these and get back your money do it. Scorched earth, minerals, strawberries and floral notes. On the pop and pour 90 points. Later on 84ish. (90 pts.) - 1989 Château Léoville Poyferré – France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Excellent drinking window. Pop and pour. Roasted chestnuts, gravel, red currants and earth. Excellent nose but the palate is not matching otherwise bigger score. This wine should age another decade on the conservative end. (94 pts.) - 2001 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – USA, California, Napa Valley
Hell ya!!! My wine of the night. Nose is amazing and palate/finish consistent. Red currants, cigar, plum, coffee grounds and minerals. Medium to long finish and super complex. This wine will age another decade not worries. Top ten wine of the year. 95 plus. (95 pts.) - 2001 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Napa Valley
Off tonight. Astringent. Chalky and clunky. Fruit is there but lacks structure. Hard to find much hope for this wine. Maybe an off bottle but no flaws detected other than it is not very good. (83 pts.) - 2008 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Can’t drink these wines. Just boring and overpriced. Big with spice, pepper and some fruit. Not balanced. Pass. (85 pts.) - 2004 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Arana Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Solid wine and better than many of the wines much more expensive. Dill, leather, red currants and mild oak. In a good drinking window. (90 pts.) - 2010 Château de Vaudieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Val de Dieu – France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Not bad and not great. Big style with floral, spice, dark fruits and earth. Modern no doubt. I would hold these for a few years. 90-92. (90 pts.) - 2001 Château Suduiraut – France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Excellent. Honey suckles, peaches, crème brulee and minerals. Complex and long finish. Drinking really well but aging is a great option. (94 pts.)