By: AJ McClellan
Friday night was absolutely crazy. We had around 20 members drop in to partake in the pre-weekend festivities. The 2008 Dominus was the star of the night with a new 99 point rating everyone wanted to open a bottle to see what all the who-ha was about. I thought the wine was stunning and judging from the 5 bottles that got opened throughout the night everyone else appreciated it too.
2006 Cabot Homboldt County Syrah – A great bottle of Syrah that often is confused for a Cote Rotie. Meaty with great notes of game and spice.
2008 Dominus – This bottle was just released with a 99 point rating from Robert Parker. I must say that the bottle deserves every bit of the praise that has been bestowed upon it. Dark currants on the palate with juicy tannins that were surprisingly approachable for the youth of the wine.
1994 Guigal La Mouline – Guigal, as always, over delivers. Bacon fat and tar with plump cherries and black fruits.
1996 Guigal La Turque – This bottle was amazing with a rich nose of mocha and plums. The palate was like chocolate butter rich and thick with a finish of nutella melted over roasted coffee beans.
1978 Remoissnet Mazis Chambertin GC – This is what old Burgundy should taste like. Old earth and dry red fruits with a subtle spiciness. This is the kind of wine that makes you squint when you are trying to pick up the nuances.
2003 Spottswoode Cabernet – Classic Cali Cab with big ripe fruits and nice backing of vanilla, dill and cigar smoke.
2003 Dancing Hares – This was an interesting comparison to the 03 Spottswoode with more elegance and softer tannins the Dancing Hares was a very impressive bottle. The Spottswoode was bigger while the Dancing Hares was more elegant.
1993 Colgin Harb Lamb – This bottle has been drinking like a champ for the past week so why wouldn’t we open another bottle of it? Soft approachable tannins with dark fruits and subtle tobacco.
1999 Colgin Harb Lamb – The 99 was still a little tight compared to the 93 but still a stellar bottle with big rich fruits and a complex palate of cooking spice, tobacco, and rocky minerality.
2000 Dominus – Notes of cedar and leather on the nose with fresh cherries and currants on the palate. This was a fun bottle of wine but I think in time the 08 will far surpass it.
1990 Penfolds Bin 707 – Classic Australian with big spearmint and eucalyptus on the nose and a juicy palate of dark jammy fruits.
1998 Meo Camuzet Vosne Romanee 1er Les Chaumes – I was very impressed with this bottle right out of the gate. Smooth red fruits with a stunning mineral background and great complexity on the finish.
2001 Anne Gros Chambolle Musigny la combe d’Oveau – This wine came out of the gate with a very hot palate but after some time in the glass it mellowed out to a very nice drinker with simple red fruits and a limestone background that made this wine perfect for summer.
1982 Branaire Ducru – A great way to finish the night, classic Bordeaux with gravel, graphite, dusty black fruits, and a ton of earth. After some time in the glass the wine blew up to show mushrooms and sweet leaf tobacco.