Another awesome Learn About Wine event... Burgundy vs. California
CHARDONNAY:
Paul Pernot, Bienvenues Batard- Montrachet, Grand Cru, 2000
Many people thought this was corked, I wasn't sure. I should've spoken up earlier, but Pride, being much stinkier, out weighed my thoughts on the matter and I decided to keep quiet rather than look silly. It was definitely stinky, and funky, but maybe not corked...
Louis Jadot, Corton-Charlemagne, Grand Cru, 2002
Gorgeous wine, beautiful balance, Mineral. Graceful. Beautiful.
Domaine Leflaive, "Les Pucelles", Puligny-Montrachet, 2004
My favorite. Beautiful sesame and petroleum, maybe a bit heavy handed, but fine by me, I just wanted to sit with it.
Leroy, "Les Blanches", Chablis,Grand Cru, 2000
A treat, my first Leroy Chablis. At first I felt it was lacking the acidity and minerality I look for, but then bang, it grabs you in the finish. Well Done. The group's choice for favorite.
VS
Aubert, Ritchie Vineyard, Russian River, 2002
Sweet fruit and power, but I felt the acidity and body were not quite enmeshed. Undoubtedly beautiful chard though. People's favorite of the Cali Chards
Bonaccorsi, Santa Rita Hills, 2002
After the white burgs, these cali chards all seemed to suffer from lack of acidity, but the beautiful fruit characteristics saved the day.
Brewer-Clifton, Rancho Santa Rosa, Chardonnay, 2003
Once again, would've liked a little more acidity, but the apricot and stewed fruit jumping through on this BC Chard were wild, almost as if the notes of a Sauternes fermented dry.
Stony Hill, Napa Valley, 1995
My pick of the Cali chards, a great segue from the Burgs. Crisp lively acidity, with some muscle to back it up. Full finish. A champ. And so interesting to see a 15 year old Cali Chard hold it's own.
PINOT NOIR:
Denis Mortet - "Les Champeaux" Gevrey Chambertin, 1er Cru, 1997
Pow. My #1 of the Red Burgs. REALLY funky when we first popped it, but turned into something special with some cola notes and abundant mature fruit. Beautifully balanced, with a silky texture.
Leroy, Rouge, Burgundy, 1999
Youthful. Nothing stunning, but for $30, a great deal. I'd still go with that 02 Gevrey from Drouhin I had the other night though.
Dominique Laurent, Beaune, "Le Clos DesMouches" , 1er Cru, 2005
An interesting look into an '05 Burg. My friend and tablemate, Renee, felt it was going to sleep and I'd tend to agree with her. It'll be interesting to see where it emerges.
Comte de Vogue, Bonnes-Mares, Grand Cru, 1990 (valued at $400)
Wow. Is this thing Pinot? Huge. And at 20 years of age, it doesn't seem to be showing any signs of slowing down. It's almost too big to be judged as a Pinot Noir. But sure was tasty. People's favorite, although it was close to a three way tie.
VS
Kosta Brown, Russian River, Pinot Noir 2006
The jump to Cali from Burgundy was even more marked on the reds than the whites, and with such a stellar line up, I was kind of let down. I in no way mean to put down Kosta Browne Pinots, because they're awesome and the critics and the public go wild for them. For me personally, I find them a little too powerful to masquerade as pinot. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't kick one out of bed, I just don't go crazy like everybody else
Sea Smoke Cellars, Botella, Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills 2003
The group's favorite of the flight. I thought it was really tasty, but..
Radio-Coteau, Alberigi Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Russian River, 2005
This was my wine, absolutely beautiful, really head and shoulders above it's peers, nobody seemed to agree with me though. Oh well.
Kistler, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2002
Some people's favorite, but I found it flat. These Cali pinots after a few years of age remind me of retired musclebuilders, walking the Florida beach in a speedo and a permatan.
My spellbinding photography of a Shiraz Ian shared with us after the event. Yarra Yering. Small producer, really great funky stuff. Not over ripe, some great complexity going on, really a stand out. Parker has this to say:
This artisinal winery produces what must be the most idiosyncratic/eccentric wines of Australia. They can be absolutely spectacular, or they can be distressingly irregular, one never knows which until the cork is pulled. I suspect if the late recluse of Chateauneuf du Pape, Jacques Reynaud, were reincarnated in Australia, he might be making the wines at this backwater address.
Thanks Ian!
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