Our Monday Night Blind Wine Dinner Group met once again at our venue of choice, Ca Dario Montecito. As usual, we ate and drank well after being greeted and while served righteously and at the same time, challenging our ability to ID wine regions, varietals, vintages and vineyard sources, a humbling experience when done blind.
Four of us brought preassigned wines in order for us to have one bubbly, one white and 2 red wines. We were blessed to have another wine gifted to our table at the end. Here’s some notes:
NV FALLET-DART les HAUT des CLOS du MONT EXTRA BRUT- blind; although stated to be non vintage on the label, it is 100% from 2006 comprised of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, bottled in 2007, aged 15+ years on the lees and disgorged 4/23; following its yellow gold color came aromas of toasty citrus and apple fruit that continued on to be topped with a coat of honey and a more distinct lemon flavor; it was full bodied, very rich and possessed nice acidity, but there was a surprising dryness that prevailed throughout; my first impression was it was very similar to Taittinger Comtes, but that got quickly dispelled by the dryness; I called it a 2006 BdB with a dosage of around 5 gpl. I never did find the actual dosage.
2020 BRUNO LORENZEN PIECE 15 MERCUREY 1er Cru- blind; this was a Clark Kent wine being very mild mannered from the very beginning and for over an hour in the glass; even its texture was “delicate” as the one who brought it used that descriptor; the nose included lightly honeyed apple and tropical fruit with lychee and passion fruit notes joined by a streak of minerality on the palate; it had finesse and charm and as such was indeed, delicate; I guessed it was a Chablis from 2022.
2011 DOMAINE des CHEZEAUX CLOS SAINT- DENIS CUVEE VIEILLES VIGNES GRAND CRU- blind; double decanted; this had a medium red purple color and fruit forward aromas of red cherry/ berry and red raspberry with a nice accent of spice and talc; the taste profile was more of the same along with some lovely black raspberry that joined in; I loved this wine not only for its savory taste profile, but for its ideal balance, sophistication and elegance; it was a pretty easy call to get this was a red Burgundy of Grand Cru quality, but I had it as a 2015 or younger.
2010 DOMAINE des LAMBRAYS CLOS des LAMBRAYS GRAND CRU- blind; my bring, decanted for 5 hours with occasional gentle swirling and not recognized; following its dark red purple color came aromas of first white pepper, then spicy blueberry and red raspberry and I’m convinced this is a N. Rhone and possibly a Guigal Cote Rotie La La as the pepper notes were so distinctive and mindful of many past exposures to this profile; it was full bodied with some weight, super rich, complex and layered, strongly suggesting this was made with integrity and class; obviously, I did not recognize it as my bring but loved every bit of it and was happy to discover it was my wine as I have quite a bit more of this and other vintages; the others had it as a red Burg with equal regards for its pedigree.
As we were just about to start emptying glasses and cleaning up, a friend of one of our members dropped off this wine that definitely sealed the evening with one more taste of class and sophistication:
1998 GAJA BARBARESCO- I’ve long been a fan of this wine from any vintage and it was a treat to revisit a bottle after many months since the last one, a brilliant, albeit quite youthful, 2016; this had a medium red purple color suggesting some age which was confirmed on the nose and especially on the palate with earthy, dried black currant and blackberry fruit; it had a smooth mouthfeel and a long, sustained finish with everything coming together beautifully.
This was another grand evening and as usual, we had a consummate learning experience that brings us back week after week, wine after wine, pasta after pasta. Life is good.
Cheers,
Blake
