TNs: Jim Anderson - visit to Tucson++.....

WINE TALK
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It’s been great to see Jim (a burg nut!) and Kate as they are visiting from the Portland through the beginning/middle of this coming week - they brought the cold weather also for the next couple of days neener. It’s going to be a group effort with Roger and Bill over the next couple of nights (including last night) to put together some fun evenings of food and wine. I’ll add notes when I can - the notes below are from last night. It’s been quite a busy past couple of weeks for me [highfive.gif]!

2002 Henri Goutorbe Champagne Special Club: My first time with this winery and this Special Club. Quite creamy with toast and lime zest galore - with a cream mouth feel. 91pts.

1999 Egly-Ouriet Champagne Grand Cru Brut Millésimé: An immediate step up. Bright orchard fruits, minerals, chalk, and brioche - lovely mouth feel with a great spine of acidity and small bubbles. 93pts.

1990 Maison Leroy Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières: Nose of honey, smoke, apples, and lemon cream. Creamy mouth feel with hazelnuts and lemon cream flavors - mature and long in the mouth. 93pts.

2001 Maison Leroy Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières: This was the best of this wine that I’ve opened thus far - could tell this wine and the 1990 were related - just younger. This wine had everything the '90 had with more lemon meringue and tropical flavors. Lovely showing - 95pts.

1988 Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet: Poured blind by Bill - Thx!! I will not touch mine for another 2-3 years… At first, nose of creamy minerality and buttered popcorn. Layered mouth feel with plenty of bright orchard fruit, hazelnuts, and salty minerality. Added lovely scents of lemon cream and tropical fruits as it sat in the glass and was at its best at the very end of the night. Awesome wine - 98pts.

1998 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Charmes-Chambertin: First shot at this one from Rousseau. Light on its feet with some nice cherry, spice, bright plum, and leather aromas. A bit thin in the mouth - just wanted more. 89pts.

1998 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Ruchottes-Chambertin Clos de Ruchottes: The best of the Rousseau wines. Much more Gevrey in personality with darker berries, clove, turned earth, heme, and forest floor. Good persistence in the mouth - liked it. 94pts.

1998 Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche: I very much liked this wine - the '01 of this past week was great. Lovely and bright with dense perfumed cherry fruit, earth, truffles, savory spice. This was a bit thinner in the mouth when compared to the '01 CdlR - still long and persistent with creamy mineral and integrated tannins. Heart Dujac! 96pts

1998 Domaine Ponsot Griottes-Chambertin: Corked - bummer!

2000 Árvay János Tokaji Tokaji Aszu 6 puttonyos: Tangerine zest, honey, apricot, orange, and spice on the nose. Bright and balanced in the mouth - cleansing and fresh. 92pts.

CHEERS and I’ll add more notes tomorrow!

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Great line up,thanks for the notes. I wonder if Jim will throw any Patty Green into a blind tasting? Or is that like bringing your work to a party?! [cheers.gif]

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Nice Jon. Where’s the drooling emoticon?

RT

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Sooooo, when are you visiting grouphug ??? We can all drink burgs and other nice wine [cheers.gif] !

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From tonight ! I’ll let the others tell you about the menu I put together…

N.V. Bruno Gobillard Champagne Vieilles Vignes Brut: Very nice champs! Lovely creamy lemon and lots of round orchard fruits… Fresh with a nice personality - a nice starter. 90pts.

N.V. Cédric Bouchard Champagne Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs Val Vilaine: Quite a step up with an explosion (for you Roger ) of chalk, lime, and minerality. Great spine of acid, bubbles, and chalky minerality - wonderful champs. 95pts.

1970 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche: One of Kelly’s birth year wines. The second of these bottles - the best so far. Well, Vosne on the nose with a great fill and intact cork - have to love this. Cinnamon and leather spice with some building viscosity… More earthy aromas with some perfumed cherry for a short while. Lovely for what it is - 93pts.

1993 Domaine Ramonet Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet: A step or two below the Batard in '93 - but still wine of the night for a few . Smoke, lime cream, matchstick, and petrol gave way to richer flavors. Gained honey cream, smoke, and anise spice… Lovely, but was not up to the level of the recent Batard. 93pts.

1993 François Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur: Creamy with lovely creamy apple, lime zest/cream, hints of mute iodine, and seashore mist - long in the mouth. I loved this wine and will be glad when my current Chablis finally gets to this level of maturity. 95pts.

1971 Bouchard Père et Fils Clos Vougeot: Bright and uplifted cherry with earthy aromas of truffles and spice. Poured blind with the next wine - and - several got that these were the same vineyard. Earthy with a bright personality - liked it. 93pts.

1971 Domaine Christian Clerget Clos Vougeot: Much darker than the bouchard with black cherry, soy, leather, and spice aromas. Longer in the mouth and denser in personality. 94pts.

1988 Domaine Denis Bachelet Charmes-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes: My WOTN and really do love this Charmes-Chambertin. A complete wine from beginning to end after some time in the glass. Uplifted with lots of personality and length - loved it. 97pts.

1988 Domaine Leroy Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Brulees: Yep, Domaine with the red wax cap… Large with lots of youth - Vosne spice with loads of glycerine - cherry and earth. Seemed young still - belive it or not - from Bill’s cellar so it’s been sitting there since release. 95+pts and wish I could taste this in 5+years to see what will happen.

1976 Camille Giroud Musigny: Well, Well - served blind… It took Jim about 5 minutes to call this a '76burg and Roger to say it was a Camille Giroud - WFT! Lovely personality with those tannins that everyone who knows this vintage from the beginning - resolved with some lacking in the middle. Perfumed on the nose with earthy rose water, cherry, leather, and spice - loved the nose. 93pts.

1961 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey: Dark color - citrus zest with hints of cherry liquor and cream. Nose was a bit austere with a palate that was better - 88pts.

Next - tomorrow night!

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I’m waiting for the same thing Kimberly! Not sure it will happen though [highfive.gif] …

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Not a bad 2 days, eh? Thought the marinated pear and bleu cheese salad with the Chardonnays was a good choice with the two very different Chardonnays. I would go with a higher score for the Ramonet. A brilliant, complex, hard to get your head around, not for everyone style of wine. There are not many things in the world that smell like that wine did. Easy 97-98 pointer for me. Mushroom soup with the 71s was delicious and seemed to be a logical choice until the wines showed such life and a lot more primary flavors that one might have expected. Still, hard to go wrong there. The veal was sublime-great texture and paired with the '88s perfectly. The Bachelet was a revelation. The most un’88-like '88 imaginable. Sweet, silky and incredibly complete. The Leroy was muscular but not the bit out of proportion. I would also go a tick higher on the Giroud. Thought it was a terrific example of the power, purity and dense finesse of the site. Calling it as a '76 is no big trick. '76s are pretty easy to identify IMO.

Will, I be bringing a PGC to this weekend’ festivities? In a word, no. Look at we’re drinking. I’m not bringing a knife to a gun fight (although I am sacrificing another Oregon winery up tonight). Looking forward to dinner already and I haven’t had breakfast yet!

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Interesting, your views on the Bachelet - this is a wine I’ve had a few times from my cellar (and still own) and the last one I opened (last October) seemed to become almost a bit reduced on the nose after about 30 minutes in the glass - eventually those aromas faded but I found that odd.

I also thought the wine might have lost an interesting structural edge that previous bottles revealed but perhaps I simply preferred the wine with a bit more tannin.

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Wish I were there. What a pace and what weaponry! The '93 Ramonet Batard at 11 Mad was jaw dropping. Great to see the Bachelet VV AC “taking names”.

RT

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Looks like just another usual weekend for you. neener

Sounds like a great time and wish I could of made it out.

Jason

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Not sure Maureen…? Everyone at dinner last night very much liked this one. As Jim mentions above, a complete wine with lots of character and personality - a winner! CHEERS

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Well, were two days down with one to go…We’re having a great time with Kate and Jim. Tonight we’re here at our house with some special gems…One VERY controversial wine that we are all anxious to taste ( '90 Vogue Musigny VV) Jim and I just go off the golf course…Yes, the snow has melted and 70 degrees…A lovely day indeed.

My comments on some of the wines from the last 2 nights.

1999 Egly-Ouriet Champagne Grand Cru Brut Millésimé: I loved this wine. Big brioche, apples on the nose. Elegant palate, somewhat light on it’s feet and with piercing acidity. Great bubbles!

1990 Maison Leroy Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières:
2001 Maison Leroy Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières: Loved both of these wines. The 90 is showing it’s age, but lovely. Touch of smoke and nice minerality. The 01 had lovely tropical fruit notes, minerality and citrus. Somewhat exotic. Edge to the 01.

1988 Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet: Poured blind by Bill - Wonderful wine. Not much to add to Jon’s note, other than WOW.

1998 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Charmes-Chambertin:
1998 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Ruchottes-Chambertin Clos de Ruchottes: Edge to the Ruchottes. Certainly a more complete wine. Elegance, finesse, sous bois, balance. Even thought not one of his big three, I loved the wine, confirming that I am a Rousseau slut.

1998 Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche: Big structure, spice, hint of mocha. Lots of depth…Could be a bit more complex, but very enjoyable. I preferred the Rousseau Ruchottes.

1998 Domaine Ponsot Griottes-Chambertin: Corked - I brought this back in my suitcase from the domaine. Bummer.

N.V. Bruno Gobillard Champagne Vieilles Vignes Brut: Very nice champs! Straightforward and good value.

N.V. Cédric Bouchard Champagne Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs Val Vilaine: Always love this wine…Great fragrances…

1970 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche: One of Kelly’s birth year wines. Although not in the same league, the aromatics reminded me of the 71 tasted at La Paulee…unmistakeable Vosne with signature DRC aromatics. Lacks the depth of the 71, but quite enjoyable.

1993 Domaine Ramonet Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet: Big matchstick slightly reductive aromas. I liked the wine quite a bit. Lemon, white truffle. Complex. Not as good as the 93 Batard that we had at 11 Madison Park recently.

1993 François Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur: Darker than the Ramonet. Sweeter nose with honey, lemon merangue pie. Nice mouthfeel and finish. Not in the same league as the 85 Clos we had recently.

1971 Bouchard Père et Fils Clos Vougeot:The Bouchard was lighter style of the two. I was in the minority on preferring the Bouchard. Quite tertiary, sous bois and beautiful balance. Nose developed quite nice in time. Good acid. Elegant. Still life in the wine.

1971 Domaine Christian Clerget Clos Vougeot: Big wine. Velvet, silk, depth, dark fruits. Softer than the Bouchard. Sweet finish.

1988 Domaine Denis Bachelet Charmes-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes: My WOTN as well. Big middle palate. So well balanced! Big flavors. Sexy. Very complete wine.

1988 Domaine Leroy Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Brulees: Dark. Big wine. More ripe and more density and extract.

1976 Camille Giroud Musigny: Earthy. Tertiary. Soy. Lots of depth, and pretty well balanced in spite of aggressive tannins. There still s enough fruit. Not a light hearted Musigny!

1961 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey: Over the hill but drinkable.

Thanks Jon for posting. Looking forward to some nice wines tonight!!

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Another great set of wines last night (food was to die for!!) - need a break - Little League and Soccer practices should provide this [wow.gif] . It’s been a lot of fun over the past couple of days spending time with Jim and Kate - safe travels back home.

N.V. Jacques Selosse Champagne Brut Initiale: Hints of oak, brioche, and bruised apples. Fresh bubbles and a nice spine of acidity. A nice champs but I really do prefer more chalky and mineral driven champs. 90pts.

N.V. Cedric Bouchard / Roses de Jeanne Champagne Blanc de Noirs Brut: Really liked this one (think this was the Brut?) - much more small berry fruited, chalky minerality, tight bubbles. Clean in the mouth with hints of brioche. 93pts.

2000 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Broadway Cuvee Le Puits Sec: Poured blind. Pinot fruit, red cassis, black cherry, still more dark"er" fruits pop us - some forest floor. Lovely in the mouth - and - think Kate had a bit more later in the evening. Didn’t taste this later but was impressed. 92pts.

1999 Etienne Sauzet Chevalier-Montrachet: The first one of these that hasn’t been pre-moxed for a while now - wish they were all like this one. Natural progression of oxidative notes - creamy apple, denser orchard fruits, hints of caramel cream. Lacking in the mid-palate with a fanning out of flavors in the mouth - balanced oak - long. 94pts.

2002 Bouchard Père et Fils Chevalier-Montrachet: Much lighter in fruit and richness - not lacking at all. Creamy orchard fruit with more precision and finess. Liked this style better when compared to the Sauzet - 96pts.

1990 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Musigny Cuvée Vieilles Vignes: Controversial wine - have never tasted for myself. At first in the glass, there were some dark cherry, mushrooms, and earthy aromas - evolved into more reductive and dirty flavors. Lots of fruit in there with cassis and other bordeaux-like flavors - where will this go? I can see the controversy now… When this wine was served with food - this fruit came forward more and the wine softened - still has some present tannins. 91pts.

1990 Domaine Leroy Romanée St. Vivant: What a baby - still wasn’t a mistake opening this IMHO. Great perfumed nose of Vosne spice, creamy cherry, truffles. Such precision in the mouth with long and savory tannins and acid. Heart Vosne! 99pts.

1971 Remoissenet Père et Fils Musigny Vieilles Vignes: At first this had a damp basement smell - not TCA - just smelled damp??? Some bright berry and flower aromas popped out. The last smell at the end of the night revealed some nice rose and tart cherry. Not sure on this one ultimately - 90pts.

1971 Camille Giroud Grands-Echezeaux: My only bottle of this. Just a slight hint of VA - just enough to give it a more animalistic character at first… Truffles, spice, black cherry, and bright red currant aromas - much the same in the mouth with a shorter than expected finish. A nice wine - 93pts.

1976 Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach Steinberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese: Dark in color with aromas of orange rind, baked apple compote, caramel, and other cold citrus fruits. Enough acid and flavor follow through to make this very interesting - lovely creamy acid. 94pts.

Thanks for reading and CHEERS!!!

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Wow. And there was the EW Puits playing right along with the big boys. How many bottles could’ve been purchased for the price of that '90 Vogue Moose? Leroy envy.

RT

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Sadly, we are at the airport on our way home to the land of rain, cold and a distinct lack of 20-40 year old GC Burgundy! That '90 RSV was my WOTT (trip) and as close to perfection as you really need to get. Diane was very generous in opening this special bottle that took her so long to obtain! The Evesham Wood was actually the Broadway Cuvee which was made from Le Puots Second fruit but is not the Cuvee J bottling. Very Arlot like aromas, texture and flavors. Held it’s own in a heady crowd. Good stuff. Many thanks to everyone who helped out and shared in 3 great days of wine, food, snow and sun!

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What a three day wine extravaganza! Thanks to everyone who made it happen. Diane’s Sea Bass in Miso over bamboo rice went fabulous with the white burgs and the Beef Bourguignon ( which contained a bottle of Jim’s 07 Ana and an 05 Boillot Volnay) was the perfect match for the big reds.

My comments on the wines:

N.V. Jacques Selosse Champagne Brut Initiale: I think I liked this better than Jon. Certainly more oak and brioche and heavier on the palate than the CB.

N.V. Cedric Bouchard / Roses de Jeanne Champagne Blanc de Noirs Brut: I really love the CB wines. Another winner.

2000 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Broadway Cuvee: Agree, very nice. Red fruits with nice earth/sous bois notes on the nose. Silky, great texture and length with sweet finish.

1999 Etienne Sauzet Chevalier-Montrachet: Ripe, tropical fruit notes. I would like to see a bit more acid. Somewhat heavy on the palate. Great finish.

2002 Bouchard Père et Fils Chevalier-Montrachet: More my style with nice minerality and acidity and more light on it’s feet than the Sauzet. I quite liked this.

1990 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Musigny Cuvée Vieilles Vignes: Yes, controversial indeed. Big reductive aromas initially. Almost to the point of mercaptans. The nose reminded me of a 99 Vogue Amourouses that I had several years ago. Perhaps this is just intense sous bois aromas? It didn’t bother me as much as it did others, as the palate had tons of fruit and the tannins certainly have not resolved. Once the wine was coupled with the Beef Bourguignon, it transformed into a totally different and more pleasant experience IMO. It will be interesting to see what happens with this wine with another 5-10 years in the bottle.

1990 Domaine Leroy Romanée St. Vivant: No question, WOTN. Great drink now, and wish I had more, to be able to have again in 10 years. A very complete wine. Dark fruits, vosne spice, and huge aromatics! Great depth, balance, soft tannins and very approachable.

1971 Remoissenet Père et Fils Musigny Vieilles Vignes: Initially, I didn’t think it was corked, but as the night progressed, I think that is what the problem was with this wine.

1971 Camille Giroud Grands-Echezeaux: After having several wines from this negociant, I have a pretty good feel on their style…big, bold and pretty extracted. Lots of nice tertiary notes. Quite easy to drink and enjoyable. Thanks Jon for sharing.

1976 Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach Steinberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese: Interesting, to say the least. Not a wine that I would search out in the future and a pleasant drink last night.

Jim and Kate, hope the return trip to Portland was smooth. We’ll see you in a month in Oregon. Now for some much needed palate rest. Thanks again to all…a great time!