WTN: SOBER drinks CA, Bdx, GMax, Rhone

John hosted SOBER last night, but moved it to Mark’s as a more convenient location for some. Great job, interesting and tasty wines, interesting and tasty food

We were greeted with the 2004 Bollinger RD. I’m not a big Bolly’s fan, but this was quite tasty, in a rather round/creamy/fat style. B/B+

To table for 5 blind red flights; John had out a nice assortment of cheeses and meat- Brillat Savarin . Pierre Robert, manchego, Reblochon, mousses, more.

Blind Red Flight # 1
#1 - there was some argument about this, I first I thought just a little musty, but I think clearly corked after a while. 1985 L’Arrosee
#2 - I thought this was Italian at first. Cherries, herbs, slightly volatile acids, but good length. 1985 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon B

Bonus bottle from Mark
Mark said “famously 2 lots of this” and Craig got wine before he had a pour. And this was clearly from the good lot! Great, lush but with structure, herby, long. 1985 Lynch-Bages A-

Blind Red Flight #2
OK I confess I thought both were Burgundy
#1 nice nose, red fruits with herbs and soil, but a little clipped on palate. Once we knew CA and John mentioned where he sourced, I refrained from guessing as I knew story. Good wine, just overshadowed. 1978 Kalin Pinot Noir (same source later labelled DD) B/B+

#2 lovely, smokey, complex, perfumed. I was thinking GC or top PC Burg. Once CA I guessed Swan(he said he had originally planned a Swan for flight but it had traveled too recently), when John said Santa Cruz I got wine. 1978 Mt. Eden Pinot Noir A-

Blind Red Flight #3
#1 Herby, quite accessible, nice length. Dan got Pomerol quickly but we guessed through about every known estate before getting. 1989 Latour a Pomerol B+
#2 elegant , red fruited, I think I was guessing Margaux AC. 1989 Mouton-Rothschild B+

Blind White , served with a delicious chicken & sausage stew
Craig called Riesling and guessed CFE immediately, good guess. Reminded me of ‘93 CSH, but John eventually said not Alsace. Someone (Craig again?) got Keller, but no one expected this cult wine. Incredibly generous of John*. Rocks and tropical fruit, very long finish, stunning. 2006 Keller G-Max A-/A
(Incredible wine, but incredible price)

Blind Red Flight #4
#1 Smoky, meat, Dan got CR, but took us a while to get producer. 1979 Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie B+/A-

#2 Spicy and ripe nose, but flat on palate. 1976 Ch. Fortia “Tete de Cru” Chateauneuf-du-Pape B/B-

Blind Red Flight #5
#1 Pretty divisive, some thought past it, I didn’t. Tobacco/cigarbox , earth, black cherries. Elegant. 1966 Beychevelle B+/A-
#2 I thought this was a little weird at first but someone else thought it smelled of vomit! Individual sensitivities. Settled down- smoky, herby, quiet fruit,. 1966 Cantemerle B

Really good night, great company, John did a fabulous job of choosing wines.


Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. 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.

[David M. Bueker]

G-Max is really good, but the price premium is scary.

I was able to try several vintages before it went ballistic. I have to admit that in its price range I prefer Trimbach CSH.

What’s the * for after John’s name?

As for the rest, I wish I could have tasted the ‘85 LB. I love 1985 Bordeaux.

Yes, the current pricing is crazy (cheapest retail for any vintage is $1500, commonly hammers for $800+ at auction). I've only had once before (before insane pricing) when it was $150ish maybe, and my comment was "i'd rather buy CSH." Felt the same about other Keller expensive bottlings like Kirschspiel GG, though I've bought lots of low end Keller and enjoyed. But this showed really really well, like a top vintage CSH (or CSH VT).
The asterisk was to link comment about John's generosity to comment about pricing, I just forgot 2nd asterisk.
Plan a trip to NYC/Westchester. I don;t have Lynch,but have several 85 claret to choose from, we can do a dinner

Mention of Cantemerle 66 brings back memories. Cantemerle was on a roll in the 50s and 60s and my father used to buy a few bottles of it when offered by the UK's International Wine Society, usually only in good vintages like 53, 59, 61...... 66 was the last he bought, I think, and after his death my mother used to serve the bottles as a treat during my visits up to the late 80s. They were consistently elegant and satisfying clarets during that period.

[David M. Bueker]

Cantemerle is still really good, and has not gone to the "dark side." It's also still affordable in all but trophy vintages.

Glad to hear the '85 Lunch Bags is still showing well. I bought a case of it on futures and still have a couple of bottles. It was excellent at first release and continued to give pleasure over the next decade. Not a wine that one would have thought would still be going strong after 30 years.

-Paul W.

[Jenise]

Impressive results on the Cali pinots.