TN: A memorable dinner wtih Barolis and Burgundy

Kevins notes are pretty spot on but I will add my notes since I took them.

First let me say how much fun this night was with great friends passionate about wine. Secondly let me give unlimited kudos to Tim Riley, Beverage Director at Fleet Street Kitchen and his amazing staff. The wine service was impeccable and no small chore give the number and level of wines.

2004 Cedric Bouchard Champagne Inflourecence “La Parcelle” Blanc de Noirs
For me this started with a distracting cheesy, malolactic nose though really pure on the palate. As time passed this cleaned up nicely. 90

1992 Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet
A great lesson in “there are only great bottles”. The European sourced bottle had great salinity and flintiness with ripe pit fruit and amazing density. 97

1988 Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier Musigny
Corked

1991 Domaine Leroy Richebourg
Just stunning on the nose. Classic Leroy slutty ripeness. Garrique, cinnamon and very dusty tannins. Really long. 97

1985 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis
The nose was reticent but the palate was really broad, mentholated and rich. A touch of anise. 94

1985 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato
Amazingly complex on the nose. Classic tar and roses. Higher toned on the palate. Some heat on finish but really long. 96

1985 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Collina Rionda
Celery stalk nose. Maybe slightly oxidised. Chocolately finish. Going down hill. 91

The favorites in the Monfortino flight was diverse and likely due to stylistic preferences.

1964 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino
Literally my note started with "F***!!! Beyond amazing. Super sweet nose. So pristine and pure both on the nose and palate. Camphor and a basket full of tertiary goodies. A touch of very harmonizing VA. Pure hedonsitic enjoyment. 99

1982 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino
Licorice in spades on the nose. Dark, dense and sweet. Still a baby. The '64 kept drawing me away but ths wine was stunning. 98

1985 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino
Very tarry on the nose. Floral and very, very ripe, bordering on over ripeness. Very fine tannins. 96

1996 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée St. Vivant
Not unsimilar reaction to the nose of the '64 Monfo “F***!!!” Really amazing nose. Powerful and classic Vosne spice. So perfumed. Ripe red fruited palate. As good as RSV gets. 99

2003 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grands-Echezeaux
I believe this was the right pour order. Blood & iron on the nose. Really dark ripe fruit. Ashy nose. Very soft on the palate due to low acidity. Really ripe in a not so Burgundy kind of way. 94

2005 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée St. Vivant
Very strict relative to the '96. Loads of Vosne spice and sweet fruit. Kind of closed in and probably not in the best state for drinking. Give it 96 on potential.

2009 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche
A major step on the nose in depth and complexity. A wine stuffed in too tight a dress but you appreciate every curve. A monumental wine in the making. 98

1963 Croft Porto Vintage
When Tim pulled the capsule, the cork was floating in the bottle. I have seen this happen before where just the capsule is the only thing between the wine and air. This was in great shape even though most of us were not at this point. After all the lightweights went their way I shared the rest of this with Holly the bartender at the Four Seasons with a fine cigar. Like a fine Colheita, very tawny yet fresh (the port, not Holly). 95