Couple recent tastes- SQN, Kistler, Rhys, Dominus

WINE TALK
1

An eclectic night of wines-

2001 SQN Albino-
This is no baby white- big, rich- lychee, flowery nose. Really fabulously full bodied- got better to me as it warmed up a bit. Really liked it. 93

2000 Kistler Durell
Discovered this lone bottle in the cellar- was a bit worried about a 10 year old Cali Chard. But this wine was just fantastic. Had lost most of the oaky buttery quality that I find in most Kistlers. Very nice mineral quality, citrus. Is this really a Calif Chard? Great long finish- a wow wine. 95

2006 Rhys Alpine Vineyard
First Rhys I have tried- opened the bottle around 2, and decanted 2 hours before serving. Nice deep purple color, cherry, earthy, got a little mushroom. Big structured wine- noticeable acidity, very nice finish. Still a baby, and will get better in a couple years. Patience tends NOT to be one of my virtues, and this wine is pretty good right now. 92

1987 Dominus
Continues to be about my favorite Dominus. Fully mature, vanilla, cassis, leather, cedar. Still has a great rich full bodied mouth feel- and finish. Fab! 95. This wine continues to impress me- and this bottle showed no signs on being on the downside.

2

Any thread title with the word ‘Dominus’ in it gets my attention.

I should look out for some '87! I’ve enjoyed several bottles of '83 (their first vintage, and they started with a bang!), '91, four bottles of '97 (my favorite so far), and I believe '98 or '99. No matter what vintage, I LOVE the wine, and the style carries forth from vintage to vintage, as does the quality.

3

What about all the detractors that say Kistler Chards don’t age?

4

You could have counted me in that camp- the older ones I have had are just that- older but not better, and on a downward spiral after 5 years.

But this wine was really a revelation- lost all that crappy oak/butter. Surprising mineralality- just very good.

5

I would be interested in finding a well cared for older bottle that shows well. I have have only and couple from '97 & '99 that were not very good. Couldn’t tell if it was the wine or the storage conditions.

6

95 Kistler Durrell is off the chain. Big believer in aged Kistler & Marcassin chard.

7

I think the '87 is fantastic- and if you can find a well stored bottled- still not too bad- $$$wise. I also like the 91, 94 and 97 quite a bit. We did a verticle here a couple of years ago with all vintages through 2001. Great night!!

We did receive a letter from Christian

For the Chicago Wine Lovers-

In the life of a wine producer, there are more moments of doubt than moments of certitude. When, in particular, one decides to go against the fashionable trend of extracted and high-alcohol wine and rely only on viticulture and the expression of terrior, there is no way to hide mistakes.

To know that there are fans of Dominus in Chicago is a great encouragement for me and my team. A veritical of Dominus will probably reveal, like any human enterprise, successes and failures. Please be indulgent.

At least I hope that you will have as much pleasure in drinking our wines as we had in producing them.

Christian Moueix