My Skillslate Listing

April 2011 Tasting notes

• 2005 Dupéré Barrera Côtes de Provence Nowat - France, Provence, Côtes de Provence (4/20/2011)
  
  Well made and a interesting concept. Not harsh at all. Very integrated. Enjoyable but not transcendent to drink (88 points)
  
• 2005 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Campo de Borja Veraton - Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja (4/15/2011)
  
  How they get this granache so deep and rich... I love it and I don't usually love over the top wines. This was throwing some sediment and perfectly in the pocket. Rich fruit, good acidity, and sexy tannins. Inky and textured. (92 points)
  

March 2011 Tasting Notes

• 2002 Mommessin Beaune 1er Cru Grèves - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru (3/28/2011)
  
  I dont know why I was compelled to buy this 4 years ago. I will say it is dumb, but there might just not be much interesting there. (85 points)
• 1997 Guenoc Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Beckstoffer IV - USA, California, Napa Valley (3/14/2011)
  
  More impressed with the cohesion and life of this wine than the 97's from this site. I have not compared the producer tho. (87 points)
  
• 2007 Copain Pinot Noir Wentzel Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (3/12/2011)
  
  Not getting as much as I once did from this producer. Their basics tend to be higher on the QPR scale. This had some spice texture with bright fruit, and lacked a little length Perhaps my impression is colored by the fact that this was the one place I was excited to visit that was actually rude to us when we tasted. Despite that I purchased a few bottles hoping to recreate my admiration at home. (87 points)
  

Wine selections for a somewhat large party

Hubby's 40th will not be a very winecentric affair ( final four viewing party at a lounge that is letting us bring wine), but none the less we are expected to provide yummy workhorse wines. Here's what we are considering:

February 2011 Tasting Notes

• 2002 Domaine Darviot-Perrin Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Bondues - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru (2/21/2011)
  
  I really like C-M reds, and this one had all the components. Complexity, texture, minerality, liveliyness. Would have had a long life ahead of it, too. (88 points)
  
• 1990 Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Cuvée Spéciale - France, Champagne (2/15/2011)
  
  Last of a great value. Not super complex but good aged quality. (89 points)
  
• 2002 Jacques Prieur Beaune 1er Cru Grèves - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru (2/7/2011)
  
  Good value, right in the spot I was hoping for. A little more structure for the fruit and good developed complexity. (89 points)
  

January 2011 Tasting Notes

• 1996 Philipponnat Champagne Brut Clos des Goisses - France, Champagne (1/7/2011)
  
  beautiful, and just starting to drink perfectly. All the power of a 1996, but with an elegance and expressiveness with really nice toastyness. (97 points)