I didn’t write up SQN, Barolo, and another because… well, at that point in the evening I wasn’t paying attention.
BLAKE IN THE OC - VERSION 3.0 - (6/30/2026)
- 2006 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut - France, Champagne
Blake busted this out after a round of golf, that’s how the Big Dog rolls. The 2006 has always showed very well and today was no exception. Light gold color, not really showing its age based on color. Nose just hints at brioche, I had to dig for it. The acid balance is perfect, IMHO, which highlights the citrus aspect but doesn’t obscure other facets. Lots of lemon and lime on the attack and finish but yellow apple really pops in the middle. Very clean finish. Superb. - 2008 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut - France, Champagne
I’ve never written up a 2008? How is that possible?
Blind: Thought this was a big house blend but nothing beyond that.
Problem: This bottle was paired up a 2008 Dom P2 and that’s just not fair.
Not much kicking off the nose other than fruit, Lemon and Granny Smith apple notes. Follows through on the palate and a nice mouthfeel. As this warmed up a caramel note on the finish pushed me to a big house. Others were disappointed as it didn’t match expectations for the vintage. I was neutral on it. Of course, Astrid called the wine and vintage immediately. When she talked you better pay attention. - 2008 Dom Pérignon Champagne P2 - France, Champagne
Blind: Thought this was a very good grower blend from a strong vintage like 2008 but probably 2012 aligned better.
Wow - I lost my mind on this one from the start. It’s very light yellow with almost a green hue and the aroma of flint and sulfur is pouring out. First thing that came to my mind was “Sparkling White Burgundy”, is there such a thing? There definitely should be. The flinty note blew off after 5 minutes and some swirling, it was awesome while it lasted, but a hint of fresh bread replaced it. Check the “complexity’ box on this one. Flavors were all over the place with orange rind, lemon, and lime peel all wrapped in fine chalk mist.
This group drinks a lot of champagne and it was refreshing to hear others say “Oh, I’ve never tasted P2”. Good fun.
To add to the drama, Astrid brought this bottle and she purchased it in an airport duty free. The vintage was mislabeled and priced like the regular Dom, not the P2. There is now a race between us to pass through this unnamed airport as soon as possible and purchase the remaining bottles. It might be worth it to purchase a round trip ticket just buy all of these. - 2011 Bouchard Père et Fils Corton-Charlemagne Domaine - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
Blind: guessed white burg but I don’t know sh!t after that.
This pushed all the white burg buttons for me. Very good acidity, yellow tree fruit and citrus woven in and around the palate. A noticeable oak influence lurking in the background. This is holding up very well at 15 years old. - 2023 Domaine aux Moines Savennières Roche aux Moines - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières Roche aux Moines
Blind: I knew it wasn’t Chardonnay (partial credit LOL) but waffled between white bordeaux and Chenin. Finally settled on white Bordeaux after Blake and Astrid called Chenin.
Excellent bottle of wine. Perfect balance of fruit, acid, structure, weight, and finish. White peach, citrus and pear. There’s a weight to the wine, not heavy, just full and a glycerin texture which allows the wine to hang around. Kit brought this, it’s a Peter Neptune recommendation, as he’s working towards his WSET4. - 2019 Scherrer Winery Pinot Noir Platt Vineyard Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
I brought this wine and Seiber said “bring something with meaning” so I thought I was supposed to tell a story. LOL. I did anyways. This wine is the intersection on giant Venn diagram. Todd French introduced me to Scherrer years ago; I worked with Fred/Judi to help them with their first Berserkerday; this vineyard block was planted for Fred by Lew Platt who was the CEO of HP and in the late ‘80’s I worked on a big pet project of Lew’s; oh, and Fred and Judi are awesome people.
The wine is fantastic right now and will be fantastic for years to come. It’s unmistakably Cali Pinot, warm and lush with structure for the long haul. Blake said it reminds him of a Williams Selyem, that’s good take and a high complement from Blake because he has more WS wines in his cellar than WS. - 2007 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Coastlands Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Blind: definitely Pinot noir but from where? guessed ripe vintage red burg, maybe 2009?. Buzz!
Although I was wildly wrong here’s the reasoning. It shows a bit of age but still very good red fruit so there’s no hurry to drink these. There’s some whole cluster and/or oak imparting a spice note and black pepper.
Lots of discussion at the table regarding variety. Some thought Nebbiolo or Sangiovese. That’s why we drink them blind!
Full dose of Vitamin H as FMIII like to say. (Humility) - 2006 Rhys Pinot Noir Swan Terrace - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Blind: guessed California Pinot Noir and thought it might be Rhys.
I really like this wine and at 20 years old it’s entered the post teen years with a full life ahead of it. Surprisingly dark maroon colored, no hints of bricking. Nose of cedar shavings and dark raspberry. Palate is black raspberry and blackberry. The tannins are fine and gritty with cedar aroma transition to sandelwood. Blake and I love sandelwood! - 2010 Copain Syrah Hawks Butte Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands
Blind: guess California Syrah. Maybe Halcyon?
Close guess, Wells planted the Halcyon vineyard for Paul. Zero credit awarded.
This is a beautiful Syrah. While it doesn’t possess the black olive or tapenade notes I love it does show lots of power with charcoal, incense, iron, and gritty chalk. Fruit is partially ripe blackberry.
Posted from CellarTracker