TN: Wide mix of notes with a narrow point range.

[Harry C.]

• 1989 Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (6/29/2013)
  Garnet. Nose was brilliant, rich, tobacco, anise, cedar. Taste was medium weight, rich, lovely and one of the best at a tasting of non-Cabs. Served from Magnum. (95 pts.)
• 1993 Château Pajzos Tokaji Esszencia - Hungary, Hegyalja, Tokaji (6/29/2013)
  Dark brown. Nose of molasses, honey, lemon rind. Taste mouth coating-literally!-richest of the rich, very sweet, very long lasting. Whaps you upside the head with a 2x4, subtlety be damned. (95 pts.)
• 1995 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/29/2013)
  red garnet. Nose was bothered by bottle stink initially but clearly opened to a Cab mellow with age-some tobacco, tarragon, plums, blackberries. Mouth was great, rich, long lasting. Wonderful. Decant. (94 pts.)
• 2004 Marcassin Chardonnay Three Sisters Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/29/2013)
  Gold. Mellow vanilla, lemon cream, buttery nose. taste was mouthfilling, rich strong,vanilla cream, citrus, kiwi. Good. (94 pts.)
• 2008 Peter Michael Chardonnay Ma Belle-Fille - USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley (6/29/2013)
  Pale gold. Nose more on the butterscotch, lemon cream, vanilla. Taste was the same, smooth, rich, no alcohol heat. Nice (93 pts.)
• 1990 Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Central Coast (6/29/2013)
  Garnet. Nose was like a mix of Cab Sauvignon and Cab Franc. (label says 100% CS) Blackberries and green herbs-usually a negative but this was somehow a nice part of the whole. Taste was similar, blackberries, tobacco. Quite a surprise. (92 pts.)
• 2005 Peter Michael Pinot Noir Le Moulin Rouge - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/29/2013)
  Garnet. Nose floral but more structured than the others at a recent tasting-perhaps still young? Taste was rich, floral, berries and hint of cherries. Nice. (92 pts.)
• 2008 Aubert Pinot Noir UV Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/29/2013)
  Garnet. A Cali Pinot that recognizes that it is to be a Pinot. Not a Cab wannabe. Floral nose with rich berries and black cherries. Mouth similar. A different animal than Burgundy, but still nice. (92 pts.)
• 2007 Morlet Family Vineyards Pinot Noir En Famille - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/29/2013)
  Garnet. Berries and anise in the nose. Taste was similar to some others at the tasting, perhaps a little young yet. (91 pts.)

[DavidG]

Quite a collection, Harry, sounds like a nice party! I have a few of those Pajzos Esszencias and am waiting for a larger gathering to open one. A little goes a long way. Had an '07 Belle Fille a few days ago that was outstanding, maybe in part because it was paired with grilled rockfish we'd caught just hours earlier.

[AlexR]

Nic,

I see you've been a buy boy lately .

Aren't those old Riojas just so good?

And Tokaj clarely doesn't have quite the reputation it deserves...

We had a "foie gras party" because I had a kilo and a half of the stuff to serve (it was "mi-cuit" and doesn't keep).

So, there were about 17 of us at the house.
Sauternes: 06 Piada, 03 Laville, 01 Filhot
Pessac Léognan: 07 Brown blanc
Côtes de Bourg: 09 Haut-Macô
Lalande de Pomerol: 09 Bel Air Chevrol
Port: 05 LBV Passadouro

AlexR.

[AlexR]

Um, make that "busy boy"....

[Harry C.]

Alex, which did you think went the bet with the foie gras?

[AlexR]

Harry,

Probably the Filhot.

By the way, how hard is it to buy foie gras in the US?
Can you find the "mi-cuit" kind that's kept refrigerated?

Alex

[Harry C.]

Alex-I had to look up "mi-cuit" and the best English version is partially cooked. Yes, you can buy fresh foie gras in certain farms that do this-Dartagnon is in upstate New York, IIRC and I likely the best known. They make their own.. Certain states, namely California, have outlawed the sale of Foie gras due to the perception of animal cruelty.

[robert goulet]

i have the '02 etude, i was thinking about popping it, but maybe i need to hang on this for a bit