TN: Celebrating Zach's Birthday

CELEBRATING ZACH BIRTHDAY - Chicago (11/16/2009)

Mom and Dad flew up from KC to celebrate Zach’s 3rd so we figured it would be a good time to pop a few.

  • 1988 de Venoge Champagne Brut - France, Champagne
    Beautiful expression of place. This is my first well aged Champagne and this could be the start of something dangerous.
    Nice citrus,pears,and earth/mushroom notes on the nose with lively acidity and a earthy/yeasty finish.
    This just got better and better for the hour or so we had it. (93 pts.)


  • 2005 Bodegas El Nido Jumilla Clio - Spain, Murcia, Jumilla
    Greed is good greed cleanses. This is a hedonistic new world fruit ride but man it brings
    enough comlplexity to win you over. Dark fruit,dark fruit,dark fruit, vanilla,graphite,cedar.
    Super long super explosive finish. Jessica Alba.
    Popped the bottle in the morning and then decanted for a good 3-4 hours prior. (93 pts.)
  • 1987 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley
    Another stunning bottle. Graphite,cedar,tobacco,black currants,leather,and dried cherries in a nose that just goes on and on.
    Mouth feel is just as complex with leather,dried cherries,rich tobacco,raspberries,and cedar all flowing into a ever expanding finish.
    This got a good 1 hour decant and then another hour or so back in the bottle just to get it kick started. (95 pts.)
  • 2005 Owen Roe Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
    Very fruit forward and young. Milk chocolate and gobs of dark fruit. Long finish.
    This is clearly a well made wine which probably deserved a proper decant
    but hey it was late in the evening. (90 pts.)
  • 2001 Damilano Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
    This clearly needs plenty of air and food. We had this as a pop n pour later in the evening.
    Lots of back bone,minerality,dried cherries,and leather.
    This served as a late night cellar defender and she did the job. (89 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

LOVE the '05 Clio. Just recently killed my last bottle from a solid case I got a couple of years ago.

It really is a great wine. I gave it a ton of air and the nose just got better and better.