This is still a work in progress as I upload tasting notes and wine labels from as far as 1999... Check back once in a while to get the updates.

May 7, 2008

Champagnes and Californians

Dinner at Cipriani.

Gosset Excellence Brut - despite all the fun we poked at our friend for bringing a "cheapy" Champagne, the Gosset was actually a decent drink. But of course it paled next to the Krug in comparison...

Krug Grande Cuvée - more mature, refined notes in the nose.

Chateau St Jean Fume Blanc, vintage unknown - someone remarked that this was fine as a drinking wine. 

2001 Kistler Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - I brought 2 bottles of this. These were actually drinking very well, although still a bit young and probably need a couple of more years to completely round out the edges. The nose was classic pinot, but none of the farmy, barnyard notes of Burgundy. Sweet, powerful and concentrated, I thought it did very well for Kistler's generic cuvee.

1997 Joseph Phelps Insignia from magnum - I was a little apprehensive before the wine was poured from the decanter, as this would be my first experience for this vintage of Insignia. I need not have worried. The nose was full of sweet red fruits and powerful, and the wine was full-bodied on the palate. Enough of the tannins had been shed to make the wine rounded and smooth, and I let the wine swirl around my tongue to feel and chew on the tannins. Wonderful stuff. I don't think the wine has reached its peak yet, so I can probably wait a couple more years before pulling the cork on my other bottles.

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