Friday Night Wines with Friends

Starter Champagne and White


  • 1999 Launois Pere et Fils Champagne Blanc de Blancs - France, Champagne, Le Mesnil Sur Oger, Champagne
    This isn't bad. Nice bead, toasty, yeasty apple and pear flavors. Nice length and good balance. What I'm missing in this Champagne is a little more acid. I am beginning to think that I like Launois better younger. Thees seem to get slightly creamy with age, and I prefer the lemon zest/citrus notes they show in their youth. Either way, this was a good way to start.

  • 2001 Petaluma Chardonnay - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills
    Went well with the fish we ate. Surprisingly fresh and lively, with good Chardonnay berry fruit and a light, airy texture. Not oaky, not blowsy, overly alcoholic, or hot. Just drinks really well. I see no need to age this further if you have a bunch, but it also doesn't seem like it's going to go over the hill anytime soon.


Reds


  • 2006 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove - Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri
    To me, this is a knock out red wine. I like Tuscan wines, but even with my lofty expectations, this over-delivered. Delicious red and black fruit, blackberry, black currant, leather, a bit of tobacco, and this very subtle saline, mineral note along with a little earth. Just amazing length, focused fruit, great freshness and balance and a structure that should support many years of ageing. It doesn't get much better for me in a young wine that's affordably priced. Definitely deserving of the praise Antonio Galloni heaped on this.

  • 2000 Del Dotto The David - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
    Very enjoyable bottle. At age 9, it's beginning to show some secondary aromas and flavors, and it threw a bunch of sediment. Classically California Cab to me, maybe even a little bit "retro" in style. Cherry and semi sweet chocolate, dusty fine tannins. Good freshness and balance. Just a joy to drink, although it wasn't as intellectually stimulating as the Serre Nuove we drank right before this.

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