More hodgepodge

Dinner at a private kitchen.

2003 Gazin - smoky nose with some fruit, with meaty and savory, mineral notes.

1998 von Schubert Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg Spätlese-trocken - nose kinda pungent, stinky, almost rubber, with lemon citrus and flinty notes.  Definitely more dry and acidic but still kinda round on the palate.

1999 René Geoffroy Brut - very ripe on the palate.  A little caramelized on the nose, and a little savory but not quite salty plum.

2012 Kamoshibito Kuheiji Human (醸し人九平次 純米大吟醸 Human) - made with Yamada Nishiki (山田錦) at a seimaibuai (精米歩合) of 45%.  The nose was rich with lots of fermented rice notes.  Alcoholic both on the nose and the palate.  Very dry mid-palate and on the finish. Definitely karakuchi (辛口).

1986 von Schubert Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg Spätlese - lemon, almost cream soda nose, with petrol and flinty notes.  Not too sweet on the palate with good acidity.

2008 Michel Gros Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Clos des Réas - nice blackcurrant, black cherries with a bit of forest in the nose.

1995 Guigal Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde - leather, animal, and a little bacon fat.  Not bad at all.

2006 Dal Forno Valpolicella Superiore - coconut, vanilla, minty, and a little smoky.  Still kinda tannic.

1975 Coutet - really big polyurethane nose, very rich on the palate, with apricot and nutty flavors.  Yum.

Full post on dinner is here.

'85 and '97 Italians

Dinner at Otto e Mezzo.

Jacques Selosse V.O. - there isn't anything that Anselme Selosse makes that I don't like.  This had a yeasty, sweet caramel nose.  A lively and lovely wine.  I could drink this all day...

2007 Clos des Papes - nose was very alcoholic and sharp, metallic, sweet with tropical fruits like lychee.  Really hot and sweet on the palate.  A little too much for me.  Probably needs another 10 years to soften up.

1985 Gaja Darmagi - classic Bordeaux-blend nose, with lots of grass, smoke, a little brett, mint and green peppers.  Medium acidity.

1985 Giuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore - this was not decanted, and smelled a little "dusty".  Huge toasty and smoky nose with grilled corn, black pepper, green and vegetal.  There was sweet fruit underneath but took some time to reveal itself.

1997 Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche - I joked that I was "Burg'ed out" and wouldn't be drinking anything from Burgundy this evening, but I got a pour from the waiter anyway...  Sweet, very floral, violet, with ripe fruit, game meat, leather and bacon fat.  Soft and lovely.  What an amazing wine!  Certainly my favorite wine tonight.

1997 Lamborghini Campoleone - I've been waiting to open this bottle for a long, long time, and finally had the occasion to do so.  Initially I thought the nose was very muted while my friends all thought the nose was open and lovely.  There were notes of mint, a bit of smoke and a hint of licorice.  Very concentrated on the palate and surprisingly tannic.  My second pour ended up being spilled on the tablecloth, and my third pour was much better.  Nose was much more open with additional notes of herbs and coffee grounds.  This is an interesting blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese.

1997 Soldera Brunello di Montalcino Riserva - sweet and clean, with a little herbs at first.  Later on overripe honeydew notes emerged, almost turning into turpentine and very alcoholic.  A little more tannic than one would expect from the color of the wine.  Also needs another 10 years of cellaring.

2004 Gaja Camarcanda - sweet and ripe fruit, mint, a bit smoky, honeydew, sharp and alcoholic, herbs and pine needle.  Pretty tannic as the wine is still young.

2005 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Le Rocce del Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba - alcoholic and hot, a hint of medicine, herbs and smoke.  Just a little too young to drink now.

Full post on dinner is here.