Berserker help!! Échezeaux, Mount Mary, Kalin, JJ Prüm, help me choose!

WINE TALK
1

Hi guys, here’s the scenario I’m going to a blind tasting with some friends, some of which I only know since a tasting back but since it’ll be the last one before christmas I want something special, a christmas treat for people I like! Hence this is were you come in. Here are my options:

  • Kalin Cellars Cabarnet Reserve 1991
  • Mount Mary Quintet Cabarnet 2006
  • Clos de la Roche Pierre Bourée Fils 1996
  • Échezeaux 2005 Daniel Rion
  • Gevrey-Chambertin ‘les Cherbaudes’ 1990 Lucien Boillot
  • Clos des Cortons 2002 Faiveley
  • JJ Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2007
  • Château l’Eglise Clinet 1993
  • Hermitage ‘le Gréal’ 2001 Sorrel
  • Côte-Rôtie ‘Côte Blonde’ 1995 Rostaing
  • Heimbourg Pinot Gris SGN 2005 Zind-Humbrecht
  • Quintarelli Valpolicella 1985

I want something to make them ponder and enjoy, I have either not tried these wines or the specific vintage (hence me asking) at the moment I am leaning towards Rostaing or Prüm. Wise? Heard the Clos des Cortons is supposed to be good, but wont give up any goodies at the moment?
Please help me out as I value your opinion!!
Chris
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2

Can’t comment on the Burg’s since that isn’t my thing, but the Mount Mary should be a no-go. Consider it for these guys in 10 years if you are still getting together. I haven’t even touched my '99s yet…

3

in the you don’t know be but … wow the quintarelli valpolicella 1985 or the boillot gevry-chambertin 1990 would be great.
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4

Yeah, I’d sooner go older.

The '95 Rostaing is deliciously and showing nicely. Haven’t had the '85 Quintarelli in awhile, but that’s always a winner.

5

Kalin is always a fun blind! I had that wine a year ago…

•1991 Kalin Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - USA, California, Sonoma County (11/11/2009)
WOW…this is high toned with sour skin acidity! Opens up to beautiful dusty cedar, earth tones, wintergreen tobacco, some orange chocolate, little Tawney maple. But what this wine is really about is a very high toned, sour cherry/plum skin, citrus acidity…kind of like a Barolo?? With the wintergreen tobacco, and the cedar and leather…it’s kind of cool! It almost hurts to drink…but very tasty! I thought maybe the alcohol was high…I looked…nope, 12.8. Interesting wine…and another shocker from Kalin! (92 pts.)

6

Guys you’re awesome! [cheers.gif] The tasting turned theme on me, my friends wanted some syrah to warm the winter darkness and I think I got a good price on the Sorrel’s ‘Le Gréal’; $39, have no idea about the quality of the wine, seems almost slightly monolithic in the reviews I’ve read, should I go for it?
cheers guys

P.S. Scott that Mount Mary Cab sounds quite special, I’m usually quite reserved in buying Australian cabs, is it worth the ‘benjamin’ which seem to be the standard retail price? D.S.

7

why not just stick with the rostaing then? i second brad, it’s really delicious.

8

Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder (Certainly not in the eye of RP on this wine). I’ve been lucky enough to pick up a small vertical at prices of $78-95 USD. I think it represents a great wine that doesn’t fit the stereotype of Aussie wines, probably one of my go-to Aussie Bordeaux Varietal blends (Yarra Yering being the other, both from the Yarra Valley)