The EWG meets at Leslie's new place and it survived (lots of wines)

WINE TALK
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On sunday the EWG meet up at Leslie’s newly bought and remodeled home. No we didn’t burn it down, at least not yet LOL. And we didn’t even break anything, I think? She did a great job renovating the inside, and despite the fact she doesn’t like the stone above the kitchen counter, I did. Leslie ordered some really good mediterranian food from a place nearby. The hummas and especially the garlic paste I loved. I liked the steak better than the chicken, which is unusual for me.

I didn’t take any formal notes, so here are a few thoughts from memory…in no particular order. And I am sure I missed a couple…so help a fellow out where i did.

2004 Domaine Trevallon:
A bit young and would do with more aging. It didn’t grab me at this stage, but it was well made and something I would like to try again down the road.

2005 Tua Rita Redigraffi–which is, I think, 100% Merlot
I have no recall of this one.

1997 Chateau D’Yquem for dessert:
Well whats not to like about this bottle. Liquid gold that went well with some really good cookies. It was a 375ml and the color was already starting to turn a deep bronze color. A finish that lasted a long time and was well balanced with good acidity keeping it from being cloying.

1994 Bodegas Alejandro Fernández Ribera del Duero Reserva Especial Pesquer:
My WOTN. This thing rocked! Still youthful and with plenty of tannins, fruit, and acidity to carry it for many more years. I could have drunk the entire bottle of this in no time. I must seek some out to buy.

2001 Patrick Lesec Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Rubis” :
This one didn’t grab me.

2006 Fontodi Case Via syrah:
easily my worst of the evening. Just not very well made and over ripe. Took one sip and didn’t go back.

2004 Clos Magdaleine AOC Cassis (mostly Marsanne):
Hmm, no recollection your honor.

2004 Terrebrune Bandol:
Ooh, so young but shows a lot of promise. While I don’t recall anything special I did remember that I wanted to buy some for later. So I guess that means it was good LOL.

1993 Domaine Tempier Cabassou:
this was up there in my top wines of the night.

2006 & 2007 Pride Reserve Sangiovese:
I wasn’t a fan of the 2006. It was ripe and lacking acidity to balance it. The 2007 was a total different story. Well balanced, not overripe, and elegant as a young wine can be. I’m generally not a major fan of Pride, but this is another one I could drink a lot of.

2000 guigal chateauneuf du pape:
Another one I really enjoyed that has lots of upside potential. I’m a novice with CDP, but this is one I like and also would buy.

2003 Famille Lignieres Corbieres Las Vals:
Hmm, I take the 5th again your honor.

2000 Chateau Musar:
Another one i really enjoyed, but it was overshadowed by the 1994 Pesquer. Still youthful and with good acidity and fruit, it will be fun to see this some years down the road. (disclaimer, I brought this one so may be a little biased blahblah )

It was a great night and I was glad I could again make an EWG gathering. It’s been far to long since my last one due to work issues, so i was glad they allowed this long lost son back in.

Leslie, again thank you so much for having us over and a big thank you to everyone for bringing such a diverse, and great, selection of wines.

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thanks for the notes andy. I havent had musar 2000 yet. gotta get some!

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Andy, nice to see you again, and thanks for putting up the notes. Leslie was definitely the consummate hostess. You would never guess she just moved in. I believe I counted six decanters, so she was definitely prepared. She also provided a 2007 Fritz Haag Kabinett to start us off and a half bottle of 2005 Baumard Quarts de Chaume which held its own with the d’Yquem. While I encouraged Leslie to let some of this age, I can understand drinking it now as it’s great. The Trevallon grew on me. The Tempier is still too tannic for my tastes but should be very good in five to ten years. We can’t thank David enough for bringing the d’Yquem, but it’s typical of his generosity.

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Thanks for the notes Andy, and nice seeing you again. Leslie was a great host and provided a sumptuous little wine palace for the entire crew. We must come back when the cellar is complete! I counted 19 wines on Sunday. My impressions:

-I thought the Cassis (blanc) was a bit non-descript, but solid w/slightly salty feel. (Marssanne)
-I loved the ‘07 Fritz Haag Juffer Braunenburg . Such intensity and minerality in this bottle. And it’s only a Kabinett!
-Thanks also to Andrew for tasting us on his Pinots. It was really fun to finally try these and get a little primer on the Paso vineyards. I enjoyed the Russel NY slightly more than the Orchid VY.
-1994 Pesquera: WOTN for me, and seemingly for most EWG’ers.
-The Musar was interesting, a bit lean I thought, with quite dramatic pencil lead/cigar notes. It seemed to carry a middle eastern kind of feel. (please don’t take that comment literally. This based on the possibly two (2) other Labonese wines I’ve had!) The website states it’s Cab, Cinsault, and Carignan.
-The Redigaffi was solid, powerful, good ital-merlot character, but just a monster at this stage. Fairly clumsy.
-The Guigal CdP was simply classic stuff. I loved the dried herbs, meaty nose, minerals and pepper and dust in this wine. Great balance. For a 2000 I thought it’s at a great place right now too.
-The Lesec CdP Rubis seemed quite New World, with heavy, pruney notes. After the Guigal it seemed a bit hot, maybe with a bit o’ oakiness.
-1993 Tempier Cabassaou–great complex nose of garrigue, soft leather, brown sugar, and to me was heavenly. Bandol’s seem to have such individuality and rustic character but in graceful proportions. Also WOTN for me.
-2004 Terrebrune Bandol: Nice mid-weight wine with dusty garrigue, and a rich fruitcake aspect. Nicely balanced and a great bargain at $23 (K&L).
-I agree about the 2007 Pride Sangiovese being much better than the 2006. Interesting comparison.
-The 2004 Travallon was fantastic. Really powerful, great intense black cherry feel to it. But the searing acidity is what put me over the edge. Needs some time, but I thought it rocked. Mostly Cabernet and Syrah w/touch of grenache and mourvedre thrown in.
-I agree the Fontodi, Casa Vie Syrah was a bit off-putting. Didn’t sit well with me. Someone said V.A.
-Las Vals Corbieres (with the tools on the label) had a great black frt, berry nose, but it was a rich stew in the mouth. Mourvedre and Syrah.
-1997 Ch,. Y’Quem: Yummy. As stated above, caramelized liquid gold and oh so perfect balance. Excellent.
-Another (can you have 3?) WOTN was the 2005 Baumard Quarts de Chaume. I smelled dried pineapple bits and even a touch of coconut. Really lovely nose and silky smooth lively mouth. Truly a great stickie.
-Although the Pride Mistrelle Viognier was super rich and quite sweet, especially after the 2 wines above, it was still balanced and would be nice on it’s own as dessert.
[bye.gif]

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Leslie’s new home is terrific and proved a lovely setting for the evening; it was a perfect event except for the Angels’ losing. Since my ability to drink far exceeds my ability to articulate I simply agree with the prior postings concerning the wines. A couple of thoughts struggled through:

In light of California’s inability to produce great Sangiovese the 2007 Pride was a pleasant surprise (was it actually sweet?) and should drink well for the next few years.
The 1994 Pesquera[*] was, indeed, wotn–; if this event were to repeat in @7-10 years I believe the 2004 Domaine Trevallon and 2005 Tua Rita Redigraffi would credibly compete–both were dark, brooding, full of promise.

What is most compelling is the thoughtful attention EWG’rs give to the wines. Thanks for sharing. dgm
[*] Disclaimer: I am intimately familiar with the source(s) of Jason’s good taste.

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Well done folks. Maybe we’ll get lucky enough to attend the next event.

We’ll see you tonight for “School”.

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I knew this crew could break in Chateau Leslie appropriately. Well done. Jealous to have missed it.

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Nice notes. On the 94 Pesquera, if you get a chance to taste the 94 Janus, do so. Doesn’t suck.

Bruce

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2005 Baumard Quarts de Chaume and the Pride dessert wine how could I have forgotten those [oops.gif] . Both were outstanding and I’d drink them all any chance I could.

Dustoff…see you at school. And no you can’t wear the school girl outfit at dinner neener

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For the Pinots, I was amiss when I didn’t mentioned the actual name of Andrew’s bottlings:
Weber Wine Company, Orchid Hill vineyard and Russell Family vineyard Pinots from Paso Robles. I believe they were both 2007. http://www.weberwinecompany.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

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This was a really a wonderful group to help break in the new house. What a great contribution of wine and great variety. Speaking of breaking. Nothing was harmed!

The 1994 Pesquera was crazy good. David Miller was way too generous with bringing the Yquem [bow.gif] it was drinking great.

As I mentioned at the dinner, more than happy to have additional events here. I can seat 22 using the patio and 12 using only the dining room table.

Thank you guys for making it such an enjoyable night!

Leslie

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2005 Baumard Quarts de Chaume and the Pride dessert wine how could I have forgotten those

what you really forgot was an opPORTunity to introduce your friends to your passion w/Douro wine and Port. deadhorse

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The group down here normally gets well fed on Port and Douro wines by me. Friday night I took the 2007 Pombal do Vesuvio for all to try and it was very well received…now if I can just get them to buy some [berserker.gif]

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Leslie’s home is beautiful and comfy. A great place to have a wine event and this one was very fun. I pride myself in keeping costs down, but Les easily broke the record for this event. Food was great, wines were excellent and always my pleasure to hang with this great group of friends. The Persquera was easily the best of the lot for me. Loved the Tempier, Trevellon, Musar, and the Tua Rita. The '07 Haag was extraordinary, and yet another crappy dessert selection…

Again, thanks to all for making this group as strong as ever, to Leslie for opening her lovely home and to whomever for creating wine.

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Thanks to Leslie and everyone else for sharing their wines. My recollection is now fading but I can’t forget the Pesquera. I was worried to bring it and even brought a back up since it had leaked so bad. All my 94 and 95 Pesqueras did. Crappy corks. But all of the wines have been stunning. Although this 94 was a step above.

Cheers,

Jason