Tuesday was a scorcher, but luckily Dan had good AC as he hosted SOBER at his home. He greeted us with smoked salmon and a nice cheese assortment, an d the
1989 Deutz Blanc de Blancs (from mag). Good, long, baked bread and ripe pea rs, toasty notes. B+
Onto blind wines: White Blind Flight Franco nailed Bordeaux immediately, took a while to get wines/vintages #1- Lemongrass, coconut, good length, I liked more than table. 1985 Laville Haut Brion B+ #2- Nose of wax, wood, & citrus; sweeter/riper than its flightmate, a bit s pirity on palate. B+ on nose, B- on palate 1983 Haut Brion Blanc B Nice wines, but not at current pricing.
Red Blind Flight #1 This took a while, no one immediately thought Burgundy on #1 #1- Some VA, black fruit, spice, tannic. I think people who know the wine t hought an unrepresentative showing. Once the VA calmed down I thought good wine, though not very like any GC Burg from good vintage I’ve had. 1993 D rouhin Romanee St Vivant B #2- Sweet fruit, sandalwood, sturdy. 1993 Bouchard “La Romanee” B+
Red Blind Flight #2 #1 Full, rich, ripe, herby, smoky, beautiful balance. 1987 Mugneret Ruchot tes-Chambertin A- #2 A bit leaner, but tasty. Black fruits, coffee, I’m shocked how delicio us this is once vintage is revealed. 1986 Mugneret Ruchottes-Chambertin B
+/A-
A really nice porcini ravioli in sage butter dish appeared about here.
Wanting to savor the Burgs, John asked for a Champagne intermezzo, Dan “M r. Champagne” obliged. Hmmm, slightly exotic fruit, some sweetness, fenne l, a little funky. John gets producer on first guess. NV Andre Beafort Gran d Cru Ambonnay (2008 disgorgement) B+
Red Blind Flight #3 Aha, Bordeaux. Takes a few guesses (and arguments over whether Graves is Le ft Bank) #1- Beautiful midbodied wine. Black fruits, cigarbox, leather, lovely balan ce. 1983 Domaine de Chevalier. A-
#2- advanced, a touch pruney, a nice elegant styled wine underneath. Not ne ar as good as a bottle earlier this year. 1983 Ausone B/B-
Osso buco, barley, green beans- yum!
Red Blind Flight #4 Another clear Bordeaux flight. #1- Someone got 70s Pauillac immediately, took a few guesses till John got wine. Elegant, sturdy, cedar & pencil lead. 1971 Les Forts de Latour B+/A- #2 Beautful, full, and elegant- wait, it’s not Pomerol? Smooth, velvety, lush yet still with structure. 1971 Magdelaine A/A-
Red Blind Flight #5 #1- Powerful full masculine style of mature Bordeaux. 1967 Latour B+ #2 I was SURE this was a classic 70s CalCab. Good acids, mint/eucalyptus, r ed fruits, medium bodied. 1968 La Rioja Alta “904” Rioja Riserva B+/A-
Red Blind Flight #6 #1 ripe, spice, coconut, herbs. 1982 CVNE “Vina Real Rioja Riserva B+
#2 Full, rich, black cherries and coffee, herby. 1976 CVNE “Imperial” R ioja Gran Riserva A-/B+
#3- bretty- horsesweat and bandaid- over dark fruits and herbs 1978 Ch., Be aucastel Chateauneuf du Pape B-
Great night with some great wines.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a pa rty where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.