TN: Dallas 2nd Wednesday Group - May 2010

WINE TALK
#1

DALLAS 2ND WEDNESDAY GROUP - MAY 2010 - SteveW’s house in North Dallas (5/5/2010)

SteveW offered to cook dinner for 10 of us on the first Wednesday of the month so we eagerly took him up on his offer. SteveW is quite the accomplished cook and prepared a lovely meal for us consisting of:

Cheeses to start

Sit down and …

Pan seared breast of duck over black rice noodles with truffle oil

Asparagus salad with red & yellow tomatoes in a balsamic & bleu cheese reduction

Mixed grill of quail and rack of lamb in a cabernet/fig/pear reduction with truffle mashed potatoes and green beans

Chocolate Mousse with fresh black berries.

In attendance were BobH, ChrisS, DavidW, JaneH, JohnK, KamN, MichaelH, MichaelB, SteveW and myself with a quick fly by from CraigC.

Wine theme was 1990 Around The World. Most wines were served in full view but a few were served double blind to mix things up a bit. Champagne and Whites to start the evening while we walked around mingling and nibbling on cheeses. Sweet wines to wrap things up on the patio at the end of the evening.

Now onto the show…
Champagne and White Flight

Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout with medium beading. Light notes of sherry up front followed by orange zest and freshly baked bread. Flavors of tangy yellow apples dominate with added notes of lemon zest and light cherry notes. Bright acidity, medium body. Drink or hold but in such a good place right now I’d drink. (91 pts.)

Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of acacia, herbs du Provence and diesel. Flavors of yellow apple, yellow pear and minerals. Medium acidity and body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)

Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of waxy pears, apples and a light spice notes. Flavors of yellow apples, yellow pears and light creme notes. Light to medium acidity, medium body. Drink over the short term. (90 pts.)

Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of nutmeg, cream, vanilla and a hint of orange foam. Flavors of vanilla, lemon and orange. Medium acidity and body. Drink or hold. (90 pts.)

Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of herbs, wet stones and paraffin. Flavors of yellow pears, minerals and light lemon notes. Medium acidity, light to medium body. Not rated because the aromas and taste seemed like it was suffering from premox. Odd about the color though. Definitely off at the minimum. NR (flawed)

Wine was corked. NR (flawed)

1990 Around The World

Garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty looking. Nose of leather, potpourri, spices and a hint of melted black licorice. Solid flavors of berries and cherries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Silky smooth finish. Drink or hold. (94 pts.)

Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of cocoa, black cherries, tobacco and thistle. Flavors of black berries and black cherries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink anytime. (91 pts.)

Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of rose petals, dust, smoke and black cherries. Flavors of black berries, black cherries and a hint of licorice. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink anytime. (91 pts.)

Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of white pepper, black cherries, dried herbs, anise and a hint of leather. A little camphor upon revisit. Flavors of black cherries, black berries and plums. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)

Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of melted black licorice, herbs, peet and a bit of florals. Flavors of berries, cherries and balsamic. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink over the shorter term than longer term. (90 pts.)

Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of dried herbs, a hint of smoke, black cherries and black berries. Flavors of black berries and black cherries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink with some air or continue to hold. (92 pts.)

Served double blind. Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, slightly cloudy looking. nose of florals, tobacco and black cherries. Flavors fo black berries and black cherries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold. My guess was its the 1990 Pontet Canet. (91 pts.)

Served double blind. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose is a bit green with other aromas of camphor, anise and a hint of leather. Flavors of licorice, berries and iron. Light to medium acidity, medium tannins and body. Drink now. My guess was a 1990 California Cabernet Sauvignon. (90 pts.)

Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of cocoa, tobacco, black cherries, forest floor and a hint of saddle soap and leather. Flavors of black cherries and black berries. Medium to bright acidity, medium tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink or hold. Although I think the Lalande that followed is the technically superior wine this Baron is drinking really nice right now and completely in the sweet spot. (92 pts.)

Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of thistle, cigar box, black cherries, spices, melted black licorice and a bit of perfume. Flavors of black cherries, black berries, dark plums and a hint of black currants. Medium to bright acidity, medium tannins and body. Drink now with some air or continue to hold. Almost there. (93 pts.)

Tasted double blind. Garnet color in the glass, fairly clear hue. Nose of leather, iodine, roast meat and a bit of dark fruit. Flavors of berries dominate with a bit of mixed dark fruit. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink now. My guess was a 1974 left bank Bordeaux showing much better than it should given the vintage. (90 pts.)

Sweet Flight

Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of apricot, lychee, light peach notes and a hint of cinnamon. Flavors of peach, apricot and soaked pears. Medium acidity and body. Drink or hold but I’d drink. (92 pts.)

Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of Windex, minerals and not much more. Flavors of apricot and honey. Medium acidity and body. Palate was good, nose lacking a little. Split the difference. Drink now. (90 pts.)

Many thanks to SteveW for not only hosting our group in his lovely home but for taking on the task of preparing such an excellent meal for the ten of us. We look forward to next year.
Posted from CellarTracker

#2

Wow, Joe - awesome Bordeaux selection there!

I’m afraid I can’t comment by association with any of them, but it sure was nice for me to see another note on a Chasseur SVD Chardonnay! I know I’ve had this bottle, but can’t seem to find notes on it. I have all my other (consumed) SVD Chasseurs in GrapeStories, but this one is missing

#3

Great notes, Joe!

I very much agree with your scoring, with one notable exception–I gave the 1990 Duval Leroy Femme BdB a solid 94 points, making it one of my wines of the night (alongside the Chapoutier Barbe Rac CdP, which was REALLY shining bright).

I agree that all of the reds (with the exception of the Chateauneuf) all performed at the 90-92 point level, a bit less spectacular than one might have expected for some of them, although certainly a terrific lineup. In any event, the food OUTPERFORMED!!

#4

Was the Suduiraut the 1995 or 2005? The picture is of the 2005. I hope that note wasn’t for the '05

#5

It was the 1995. When you post labels from CellarTracker you get what you get. The bottle shown versus the vintage noted is sometimes different.