GOODBYE TO IZZY & RACHEL (AND MEYER!) - Domaine Wine Storage - Chicago, IL (7/10/2014)
The Noznik’s are moving to Dallas (wtf?) so we got together to say goodbye. It was a great evening of hanging out and thanks to Alan for organizing most of the details, and to the Domaine team for hosting us. We’ll miss you guys!
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NV Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Cuvée St. Anne - France, Champagne
Firm and crisp with lots of acidity. The palate had the biscuity tone to it that I love. Despite the bready notes, the palate wasn’t overly big/powerful but seemed to float across the palate. Really nice, and it’ll improve too. (90 pts.) -
NV Jacquesson & Fils Champagne Cuvée No. 736 - France, Champagne
Clayton brought up a good point, “tonight this is my least favorite champagne, but in 10 years it’ll be a lot better”. On this night, this was lean and hard but I liked its edgy citrus notes a lot. Pretty one dimensional, what I did taste was very good. I agree with Clayton, though…hold for better results. (89 pts.) -
NV Roses de Jeanne / Cédric Bouchard Champagne Blanc de Noirs Les Ursules - France, Champagne
I think this was my favorite champagne on this evening. Had really beautifully layered fruits…citrus, pear, apple, peach…delish. (91 pts.) -
2011 Domaine des Lambrays La Rose Du Clos Rosé - France, Burgundy
A bit of a letdown when I think of the heights this has reached in the past. Definitely had some banana yogurt tones on the nose…very tropical and creamy. The palate wasn’t as exotic as the nose and kinda reminded me of mushy cranberries, and raspberries. The acidity was a bit flat…just disappointing. (83 pts.) -
2002 Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
Wow did I love this wine. Smokey, citrusy, powerful, and saline-driven this was the real deal. I wish I could have taken a bath in this…speaking of which, anyone know if it comes in an 18L? That would fill up a bathtub, right? (94 pts.) -
2010 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
From magnum. Beautiful from start to finish. Izzy gave the magnum a shake and I think it really helped liven the wine up. The nose was gorgeous with loads of peaches, smokey mangos, and lychee. Fresh, pure, stately. I was surprised how accessible this was already. (93 pts.) -
2000 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc De L’Orée - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
I’ve always had trouble with Hermitage Blancs. This was super dense and a bit sticky and had a bit too much banana and ripe mango/peach for my tastes. Wish it had more acidity. (83 pts.) -
1975 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Seemed a bit faded. I think Salil described it nicely…some caramel, some dusty red fruits, and a hint of tobacco. I liked the nose more than the palate. -
2000 Sylvie Esmonin (Michel et Fille) Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St. Jacques - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru
Dark and spicy nose. Really liked the soft touch of oak on the nose that seemed to augment the dark fruits, damp earth and floral notes. Palate was great - acidity was in balance, and this was completely gulpable. So delicious. (92 pts.) -
1978 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha’s Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Served blind. I guessed this was an older Ridge zinfandel, but others at the table guessed Heitz Martha’s. The nose did have some distinct minty notes (which should have been a giveaway) wrapped around darker fruits. The palate was monumental with layers of cassis, earth, dried florals, and some smokey notes too. This was a bit more profound than the bottle I tried about a year ago. Just gorgeous! (95 pts.) -
1989 Faiveley Mazis-Chambertin - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru
off bottle. maybe some heat damage? NR (flawed) -
1983 Balgera Valtellina Superiore - Grumello - Italy, Lombardia, Valtellina, Valtellina Superiore - Grumello
Really glad Clayton brought this back from his trop to Valtellina. The nose was gorgeous! Soft floral notes, airy fruity notes, and some damp earth. The palate wasn’t as elegant as the nose and had a real crispness to it with biting acidity. More of a cranberry profile to the palate. Really beautiful bottle. (92 pts.) -
1997 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Super masculine and powerful. The warmth and power of the 1997 vintage really shines through. The fruit is super ripe and juicy…lots of cherries/raspberries/cranberries just bouncing all over the place. Under the red fruits there’s a subtle tobacco and earth note that is the perfect compliment to the more forward fruity tones. Great length and complexity. Should age nicely for a while. (92 pts.) -
NV Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Unico Reserva Especial 1990 1994 1996 (2009 Release) - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
An interesting wine that had a lot of power, but was very young. Lots of smokey earth, dark berries, some tobacco, and dark cherry. A beautiful wine that has a lot of potential. (91 pts.) -
1997 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Last time I tried this was back in 2010, and this bottle was better. This was from a 3L, and it had a beautiful floral note to the nose with some of La Chapelle’s darker, meatier notes too. The palate was still young, but showed really dark cherries, and some smokey/tobacco/earthy notes. I think we only made it through have the Jero… (91 pts.) -
NV Buller Calliope Rare Muscat - Australia, Victoria, North East, Rutherglen
Another really nice bottle. Lots of dark sweetness, some metallic notes, and plums. The palate was sweet but had great balance and acidity. Kept it fresh and perky. (90 pts.) -
2007 Jose Dhondt Champagne Grand Cru Mes Vieilles Vignes Blanc de Blancs - France, Champagne, Oger, Champagne
Yeasty, bready, and firm. I don’t think I’ve drank many 2007 champagnes at this point, but this had great structure, layered citrus and bready notes, and florals. Delicious. (91 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
Izzy took some great pictures during the evening:
the girls
clayton, me, & marc
james & chris
lambrays rose
jimmy, alan, james, & keith prepping dinner
baseball bat
festivities
keith & mark
we had beer!
Jero
some food
the gang
the tasting group
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