On a cool, rainy Oakland evening some friends came over for a simple dinner, fun conversation and great times. We served a frisee salad with poached egg and bacon and two pizzas: spicy italian sausage and bacon, and raclette/mushroom. No notes taken on the wine so just some general impressions:
Domaine Dehours Champagne Brut, TRIO, NV
Traci had picked this up on recommendation from a friend. Coincidentally we had the Brut Rose from this producer the evening before. Didn’t love this. It’s crisp and moussy with decent citrus and limestone but no middle, no end and it just lacks something. The Pierre Moncuit NV we had the night before blows this out of the water.
2006 Chateau de Vaudieu, Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc
We love this wine. None of the heavy/glycerin kind of experience that you get with Roussanne/Marsanne - this is probably heavy on the Grenache Blanc. Tropical fruit, pineapple, marzipan and some honeyed notes along with a little bit of minerality. Crisp enough to keep your interest with some nice stuffing. Very nice wine that I would definitely buy again.
2000 Williams Selyem, Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
Popped and poured this when we realized we didn’t love the Lynmar…this is drinking beautifully. The wine has stuffing but is so elegant and complex, showing red cherry/cranberry fruit, a little asian spice and black tea along with mushroom compote. Very, very good.
2006 Lynmar, Hawk’s Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir
This was popped and poured and probably could benefit from some air/time. We’ll check back on it tonight. A little thin in the mouth and one dimensional red fruits. We really like Lynmar so this was a bit of a disappointment. I’ll withhold tasting notes until tonight.
2004 Tablas Creek, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, CA
Courtesy of our friends - this is drinking really well right now. Typical Mourvedre animale, spicy/peppery red fruits, nicely concentrated with good acidity, texture…I’d definitely search this out.
2005 Domaine du Vieux Lazaret, Cuvee Exceptionnelle, Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge
Opened this b/c I wanted to try it, we had picked this up at a local store for a good price and I had never had this producers wine. Decanted about 3 hours prior to consumption. Nicely concentrated, blackberry liqueur, pepper, licorice…medium length finish and I’d definitely pick up a couple more.
2001 Aubert, Quarry Vineyard, Chardonnay
And, well, just because it’s my last one and Traci LOVES Chardonnay and her birthday is coming up and…I thought it was terrific, showing honey, orange peel, wet rock, white flowers…Traci thought it good but felt it was tiring just a bit. There’s about 1 glass left so we’ll try it tonight.