Jay Miller
Jay Miller
Cheryl hosted an amazing dinner at Left Bank in the West Village. As we enjoyed the excellent bistro style food several people commented on how familiar the restaurant seemed and we realized it was the same spot as the late, lamented Braeburn where I had hosted the second blind tasting 9 years earlier.
Gosset 15 ans de cave a minima brut - on the briochey side which is not my favorite style of Champagne, but very good for that style.
Selosse Substance - definitely flawed, I said TCA but got little support for my position. They were wrong. A tragic loss that diminishes us all.
94 Chave Hermitage Blanc
99 Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal Blanc
04 Chave Hermitage Blanc
There was some debate as to whether the 94 or 04 Chave was the more wonderful wine. Most people gave the nod to the 2004, I preferred the 94 by a hair. Both needed time in the glass but were layered and complex and altogether gorgeous. On any other night both would have been contenders for WOTN. As is almost always the case Chapoutier made a wine that I found a little boring. At least they're consistent.
1989 Jaboulet La Chapelle Hermitage
I've had the 1990 three times each of which it was completely shut down. This is my first time with the 1989 and it is singing in a pure beautiful tenor voice. In its prime where it should remain for quite a while. Would have been my WOTN if not for the
1985 Chateau de Fonsalette Syrah which displayed captivating garrigue notes on the nose and a subtle complexity that I found a trifle more charming than the lilting joy of the Jaboulet. Apparently it seemed completely dead on decanting (Cheryl wasn't even going to serve it) but came to life with air.
1982 Penfolds Grange Hermitage - oak and vanilla, vanilla and oak. Does it ever integrate? I guessed Aussie Shiraz on this one. The people who like that sort of thing loved this wine.
1989 Leoville Las Cases
1989 Cos d'Estournel
1989 Lynch Bages
I guessed a flight of St.Julien and therefore my self back patting lasted 1/3 of the way through the reveal. The LLC was another strong contender for my WOTN but the Cos was also great. My first time having it and I greatly prefer it to the 1990. The famous Lynch Bages was a bit too ripe for me. Not bad but a step down from the other two.
2007 L'Ecole Estate Perigee Seven Hills Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 L'Ecole Estate Perigee Seven Hills Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
2010 L'Ecole Estate Perigee Seven Hills Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
An homage to our founder. I guessed a CA Cabernet that picks late/ripe but doesn't overoak but had no idea beyond that. And I found it a little confusing as the 2 usually go together. Again not my style but people who go for ripe wines enjoyed them very much.
2015 Guigal Condrieu La Luminescence Viognier
2008 Ken Forrester Noble Late Harvest Chenin Blanc
No notes but I remember both being very good.
Gosset 15 ans de cave a minima brut - on the briochey side which is not my favorite style of Champagne, but very good for that style.
Selosse Substance - definitely flawed, I said TCA but got little support for my position. They were wrong. A tragic loss that diminishes us all.
94 Chave Hermitage Blanc
99 Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal Blanc
04 Chave Hermitage Blanc
There was some debate as to whether the 94 or 04 Chave was the more wonderful wine. Most people gave the nod to the 2004, I preferred the 94 by a hair. Both needed time in the glass but were layered and complex and altogether gorgeous. On any other night both would have been contenders for WOTN. As is almost always the case Chapoutier made a wine that I found a little boring. At least they're consistent.
1989 Jaboulet La Chapelle Hermitage
I've had the 1990 three times each of which it was completely shut down. This is my first time with the 1989 and it is singing in a pure beautiful tenor voice. In its prime where it should remain for quite a while. Would have been my WOTN if not for the
1985 Chateau de Fonsalette Syrah which displayed captivating garrigue notes on the nose and a subtle complexity that I found a trifle more charming than the lilting joy of the Jaboulet. Apparently it seemed completely dead on decanting (Cheryl wasn't even going to serve it) but came to life with air.
1982 Penfolds Grange Hermitage - oak and vanilla, vanilla and oak. Does it ever integrate? I guessed Aussie Shiraz on this one. The people who like that sort of thing loved this wine.
1989 Leoville Las Cases
1989 Cos d'Estournel
1989 Lynch Bages
I guessed a flight of St.Julien and therefore my self back patting lasted 1/3 of the way through the reveal. The LLC was another strong contender for my WOTN but the Cos was also great. My first time having it and I greatly prefer it to the 1990. The famous Lynch Bages was a bit too ripe for me. Not bad but a step down from the other two.
2007 L'Ecole Estate Perigee Seven Hills Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 L'Ecole Estate Perigee Seven Hills Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
2010 L'Ecole Estate Perigee Seven Hills Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
An homage to our founder. I guessed a CA Cabernet that picks late/ripe but doesn't overoak but had no idea beyond that. And I found it a little confusing as the 2 usually go together. Again not my style but people who go for ripe wines enjoyed them very much.
2015 Guigal Condrieu La Luminescence Viognier
2008 Ken Forrester Noble Late Harvest Chenin Blanc
No notes but I remember both being very good.