John hosted SOBER last night (with his brother handling the cooking). Cathl een and I carpooled up, and were greeted with a glass of the 2004 Laurent-P errier Brut. Crisp, straighforward, some found simple but I liked. B+
First Blind Champagne Doughy, full, apple butter and yeast NV Laurent-Perrier Grande Siècle Bru t B+/B
Blind Red Flight #1 Dan called Burgundy immediately (thought he thought Volnay). Mark got Gevre y and Craig nailed vintage on #2, but took a while for producer.
#1- much more giving, black cherry and sandalwood, ready and open. 2000 Mug neret-Gibourg Ruchottes-Chambertin. B+
#2 - great nose-herbs and some oak, but lots going on, but tight and tanni c on the palate. Quite cranky. I reserved a glass and thought it showed muc h better later. Others liked less (“pickle juice”)
1998 Mugneret-Gibourg Ruchottes-Chambertin. B- for now, I’d love to try i n 10 years.
Blind Red Flight #2 John said he wasn’t sure if #2 was correct, Craig smelled and said “fin e if old Cali”- nothing but net, dude.
#1- straightforward, a bit faded, but solid darker fruits and some eucalypt us. 1973 Sterling Cabernet Sauvignon. B
#2 - we knew Cali, but didn’t seem CS (I missed with Petit Sirah guess). Red fruited, lots of herb, good acids, fun wine. 1975 Ridge Lytton Springs B++
Blind Champagne Flight (with great crabcakes) Very divided as to faves #1- this to me exuded elegance, young but complex, focused, firm, lively.
2004 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne. A-
#2- fresh baked biscuit, toasty notes, marzipan, ready to go. 2000 Krug B+
Bonus Blind Champagne Lemon, elegant, I’m thinking BdB and am shocked when revealed. MV Krug B+
+
Blind Red Flight #3 #1 Fleshy, plum fruits, tasty but a little clipped.
1985 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino Riserva B #2 ripe verging pruney, beef broth, herby, a bit short.
1983 Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino B-
Blind Red Flight #4 #1- mocha, black plum, herby, 1988 Certan de May B+ #2 - cocoa, long, elegant, some green aromatics, complex, lovely. I thought L’Evangile in a warm but not hot vintage. What a surprise,
1981 Trotanoy. Great wine. A/A-
Blind Red Flight #5 #1 Corked!
1988 Ch. Fortia Chateauneuf-du-Pape #2 Good acids, lots of berries, herby. Very good.
1988 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape B+/A- #3 Replacement for the corked Fortia. A bit fuller than #2, lots of earth a nd smoke, lingering tannins. 1988 Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape B+
Great night, thanks John.
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.