On Mar 3, 9:59�am, DaleW > wrote:
> Last night SOBER convened at Mike's house, we were greeted with the NV
> Bernard Bremont "Cuvee Prestige" Brut Champagne and smoked salmon
> canapes with goat cheese. The Champagne was absolutely lovely- full
> bodied but with a fine and delicate (yet intense) mousse, beautiful
> clean apple and citrus fruit, fresh baked brioche, and a little chalky
> mineral edge to the finish. Absolutely lovely NV. A-
>
> We proceeded to table, and the blind wines starting coming
>
> First flight with tortellini in broth with garlic bread
>
> 1- � � �Sweet ripe red cherries, light oak notes, a little leather. I think
> I liked this better than the table. 1997 Fuligni Brunello di
> Montalcino B
>
> 2- � � �Oak, dense heavy fruit with a plodding finish, a little disjointed.
> Big, tannins a bit drying. John decides this is a 97 Brunello, and
> he's correct. 1997 Altesino Montosoli Brunello di Montalcino. B-/C+
>
> 3- � � �Most divisive wine, some found too bretty, but to me the light
> notes of horse sweat and manure were easily within my tolerance level.
> Nice black cherry fruit, leather, finer tannins. 1997 Pertimali
> (Sasseti) Brunello di Montalcino. B+
>
> Now, I went to Italy, perhaps due to the food match, and Tuscany
> because it didn't seem like Nebbiolo. Others were surer of Brunello, I
> was thinking something like 1990 CCR. We varied in how much we liked
> these, but even those of us who liked were I think surprised how
> mature most of them seemed already
>
> Second flight with pumpkin lunes with sausage and foccacia
>
> 4- � � �Big, a bit tight, structured. Ripe fruit, mint and tar. John and
> Mark both opine Nebbiolo, seems reasonable to me. I like, and it gets
> better with air. 1996 G. Conterno "Cascina Francia" Barolo B+/A-
>
> 5- � � �Ripe cherries and a little meat, a tarry note that makes me think
> this might be Nebbiolo too. Short, not near as appealing. 1998 JL
> Colombo "Les Ruchets" Cornas. B-
>
> 6- � � �Kirsch, mint, and coffee. A little bit of VA, alcohol sticking out
> a bit. Short finish. Not a fan. 2003 Clos de Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape
> C+
>
> Third flight with braised short ribs, broccoli, potatoes, and
> cornbread
>
> 7- � � �Meat, oak, ripe fruit with John says Northern Rhone, maybe a
> modernista Cote Rotie. He's close, it's the 1990 Jaboulet "La
> Chapelle" Hermitage B-
>
> 8- � � �Cassis and black cherry, a bit of oak, still some tannins. I'm
> guessing Bordeaux, though with a few hints we get Madiran, 1989
> Chateau D'Aydie Madiran B/B+
>
> 9- � � �Dan says Amarone early, I don't think it's long enough. Soft,
> REALLY ripe, REALLY sweet, running a bit hot. 1999 Quintarelli
> Valpolicella C
>
> Wow, an eye opener. Couple people say they've had several less than
> thrilling experiences with the 90 La Chapelle, so this isn't a one-
> off. Of course, other people (not at this tasting!) still consider it
> a 100 pointer, so who knows what's variation. I think I would have
> regarded the Quintarelli a bit better if I had known what it was, it
> was kind of out of context, but it's a hard wine to judge next to dry
> table wines.
>
> Fourth Flight with -cheese (fresh curd, 3 yr Maine Cheddar, Humbolt
> Fog, Umbriacone)
>
> OK, at last an easy flight, Dan and I agree in one minute all
> Bordeaux.
>
> 10- � � Big structured ripe, Dan goes to St Julien. Young, black currants
> and plums, some oak. 2000 Clos du Marquis (St Julien) B
>
> 11- � � Sweet cassis, integrated oak, young. Divisive wine, with some
> finding it over manipulated, but I quite enjoy, and it's my #2 blind
> WOTN. 2000 Leoville las Cases (St Julien) B+
>
> 12- Sweet dark fruit, coffee, oak. Somewhat exotuc nose is better than
> the palate. Some others dislike. 2000 Pape Clement (Pessac-Leognan). B
>
> 1989 Lingenfelder Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese (not blind)
> I didn't note if there was a vineyard designation to this. Dark color,
> apricots and candied apples, citrus zest, medium acids. Not
> compelling, but a nice dessert wine at a good price (recently
> purchased at $60/half).
>
> Fun and informative night. The high scorers weren't neccessarily my
> favorites. Thanks Michael.
>
> Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
> wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
> drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
> promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

Thanks for the notes. I've had the three '97 Brunellos and tend to
agree with your notes. I just had a bottle of the Fuligni Riserva and
it "wowwed" me. The 90 La Chapelle has always puzzled me....I've had
great bottles and fair bottles but lately more fair than great.
Finally I really enjoyed the 2000 LLC that I opened over the holiday
season. WOnderful structure with opulent fruit all in balance. Yum!