RJ invited three of us to share a bottle of the 90 La Tache and the 12 Cochey Dury Corton Charlemagne. Since the second floor private dining room was unavailable, John set us up on the third floor large room. We had a large table for just four of us. As usual, the tasting menu was solid and John’s wine service was perfect. RJ, being the perfectionist that he is, brought an additional bottle of the 90 La Tache and the 11 Coche CC as back ups. Luckily his bottles showed extremely well and he didn’t have to open them. This was a very civilized balla dinner.
Selosse Bout du Clos
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NV Jacques Selosse Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut Le Bout du Clos - France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Fully mature beautiful complex nose displaying deeply toned rich yellow fruit, peach, apricot, cinnamon and brown sugar baked apple, a hint of red currant, candied ginger, nutmeg, roasted nut, almond cookie, honey, brioche and limestone. Excellent concentration, finely layered concentrated deeply toned yellow fruit, medium generous fine mousse, good precision, bright acidity, strong limestone mineral and a long deeply tone sweet yellow fruit driven finish with a hint of brioche and oxidative note at the end. It is fully ready upon release. (96 pts.)
12 Coche CC and 16 Roland Lavantureux Preuses
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2012 Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
Incredibly big scale yet perfectly balanced nose displaying rich yet pure and cool white and yellow fruit, lemon curd, white peach, apple, really spicy, a hint of Coche matchstick, honey and strong limestone mineral. Exceptional concentration, beautifully layered concentrated white and yellow fruit, rich yet fresh, pure and energetic, noticeable dry extract, bright acidity, strong limestone mineral and a long sweet citrus fruit driven finish with a hint of flint and strong limestone mineral at the end. This is a hedonistic yet classic white Burgundy. Unlike DRC Montrachet, it retains freshness and balance. Drinking perfectly. (100 pts.) -
2016 Roland Lavantureux Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru
Comes in a fancy heavy dark bottle with wax capsule. Really ripe nose that reminds me of a special cuvee Chapoutier Hermitage blanc. Expressive nose displaying tropical fruit, passion fruit, yellow peach, pineapple, strong tobacco and dry coconut shell. Not showing much mineral. Excellent concentration, very ripe tropical yellow fruit, dense and rich, bright acidity that is not fully integrated and sticks out, and a medium to long rich ripe yellow fruit driven finish. My educated guess is that it was trying to emulate Raveneau like ripe and generous fruit but failed. Not a good Chablis but reasonably enjoyable rich white wine. (91 pts.)
Drouhin
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2005 Joseph Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Absolutely gorgeous floral nose displaying subtle red fruit, raspberry, cranberry, light caramel, perfume, strong sap and limestone mineral. Perfectly precise and detailed palate, very finely layered red fruit, silky and weightless, perfect amount of acidity, limestone mineral, still noticeable but very fine tannins and a long subtle cool red fruit driven finish with rose and perfume at the end. A great example of Amoureuses. The nose is flirting with perfection but the palate still needs time. If not served next to the 90 La Tache, my score may be a point or two higher. (96 pts.)
90 La Tache
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1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, La Tâche Grand Cru
Incredibly expressive beautifully mature nose displaying decadent ripe red and black fruit, dry cherry, raspberry, blackberry, tomato water, strong sous bois, Chinese medicine, rose, black truffle, fresh roasted almond, cinnamon, cumin, sap, a hint of DRC stem and limestone. Perfectly integrated harmonious palate, beautifully layered subtle slightly dry red fruit, opulent yet precise and detailed, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, and the never ending finish. Despite displaying the 90 ripe opulent vintage typicity, it displays perfect balance and precision. It has always been a very emotional wine but RJ generously sharing it amongst friends take it to Nirvana. (99 pts.)
37 Mouton
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1937 Château Mouton Rothschild - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
I acquired five magnums from Christie’s auction in 2014 knowing that the previous owner acquired them from Ader Tajan auction, Des Trésors de la Cave de Maxim’s, June 4, 1997, Lot 236. This is the first magnum that I am opening. The color is incredibly youthful and the fills are above top shoulder or better. Pop and pour, beautiful shy red fruit, cherry and strawberry, strong sous bois, leather, cedar and spearmint. With air, the nose gets sweeter and more complex. Hedonistic incredibly complex nose displaying subtle yet decadent slightly dry red fruit, strong sous bois, cedar, leather, truffle, caramel, spearmint, cinnamon, blood, a hint of lead pencil and earth. Perfectly integrated palate, very finely layered subtle red fruit, silky and weightless, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, no noticeable tannins and a seamless incredibly long finish with cinnamon, cedar and leather at the end. It gets sweeter and sweeter as the night goes on. The palate is so silky and weightless, deceptively light/watery, yet the fruit is unbelievably sweet and intense. It constantly transforms. When a really old wine shows well, it becomes a truly emotional and spiritual experience. Incredible showing. (99 pts.)
RJ was unbelievably generous in opening these treasures. This was a truly memorable night!
Posted from CellarTracker