Our Monday night dinner group was reduced to 3 as 2 others were unable to join so we carried on the torch and enjoyed a fine evening. Our wine theme was designated for each to bring a wine resulting in 1 champagne,1 white and 1 red to be tasted blind, at least by the other 2.
While feasting on some of the serious delectables offered by our venue of choice, Ca Dario Montecito, we sampled, discussed and tracked each wine over the course of the evening before revealing them.
Here’s some notes:
2012 CHAMPAGNE DELAMOTTE BLANC de BLANC LES MESNIL sur OGER- my bring and a bubbly I’ve shared numerous times as I bought a lot of it when it was first released and announced it would contain the fruit normally reserved for Salon as one would not be made in 2012- Ha! Good marketing. No problem however, as this has just been consistently stellar; I’ve even purchased more and enjoyed every bottle as I/we did on this occasion; 60% of the fruit source for this comes from les Mesnil-sur-Oger, Ovize and Oger with 20% equal parts from each and the remainder coming from Cramant, Chouilly and Oiry; not many champagne houses can boast of this wealth; after 30-36 months of aging on the lees, a slight dosage is added.
Our bottle had similar notes to all those before it over the past few years being big and rich and creamy, almost buttery, with lightly toasted and honeyed baked yellow apple; it was round and full bodied maintaining amazing balance throughout.
One of the others got the vintage knowing I’m more inclined to bring younger champagne and both agreed, this is a stupendous bubbly. My question is: “how much better can it get over time and what would that translate into?” I’m saving a few bottles to find out, but completely satisfied with their present showing.
2014 DOMAINE de la VOUGERAIE VOUGEOT MONOPOLE les CLOS BLANC de VOUGEOT 1er Cru- farmed bio-dynamically and certified organic by Ecocert since 2007; this is comprised of 95% Chardonnay, 4% Pinot Gris, 1% Pinot Blanc; yellow green gold color; no doubt, this was Chardonnay, but I called it new world and likened it to those from Mark Aubert in Napa; it was a beautiful wine giving generously and in balance with inviting aromas of spicy lemon, apple and honeysuckle that continued on to be joined by honeyed yellow apple, pear and a streak of minerals; some minimally noticeable oak influence is nicely integrated and became less apparent over time; it had fabulous mouthfeel, was medium to full bodied and finished long and splendid. I commented early on this was one of the finest
Chardonnays I’ve had in a while and after following it over the course of the evening, I was even more convinced.
2006 FORMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA- popped and poured; dark ruby red color; the super pleasing nose of eucalyptus, fennel and blackcurrant was strongly suggestive of a Bordeaux blend with especially Cabernet notes first most evident; the soft and smooth texture supported my contention that this could be a 50/ 50 blend along with Merlot and a late arrival of graphite and blackberry seemed to confirm it; some research stated this is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, and 5% Merlot; so much for my interpretations although the most prominent impressions I had was this is really a fabulous wine, in ideal balance and providing a complete sensorial treat.
I believe I can safely say that we all felt quite blessed to have had 3 lovely wines that were nicely balanced and so giving of their treasures and for the fellowship that we share that allows for these kinds of righteous experiences.
Cheers,
Blake