TNs: Dom, Krug, Pernot, Jadot, Lignier, Rion, La Mouline, Masseto, Ausone, Haut Brion

[Blake Brown]

Recently, 9 wine passionate dudes shared the joy of these 14 wines along with exquisite food from the Stonehouse Restaurant, one of Santa Barbara`s finest which offers its treasures with class, elegance and professionalism.

1993 Dom Perignon- from a not so great vintage, this was a very different Dom; it was big, bold and seemingly discombobulated; lots of citrus, but slightly oxidative notes of caramel, apricot and peach take over and there`s this atypical little hot finish; I`ve yet to have a 93` Dom that showed well although others have stated the opposite.

2003 Dom Perignon- quite a treat after the 93`, this really shined; beautifully balanced, great acidity, lemon-lime with a touch of salt and pepper; it just got better and better to the delight of all and especially me; the best of the 3 bubblys.

MV Krug Grande Cuvee- from a bottle purchased in the first year after the label change, this underperformed IMHO; I`ve had so many fine bottles of the MV over many years and this just did not meet the high expectations I had; there was some of the requisite toasty, honeyed, slightly nutty flavor and some citrus notes, but most of it faded into the sunset way too early in the game and I went back to the 03` Dom.

1992 Paul Pernot Batard Montrachet- there`s a lot going on here; lots of minerals, steely, herbal notes, big and rich and complex, full bodied, palate pleasing and a long finish; delightful.

1991 Au Bon Climat Talley Reserve Chardonnay- another amazing example of this producer`s style and prowess for crafting wines for the long haul; yellow gold color, nice inviting floral nose, medium weight, good balance; bracing acidity, wonderful California Chardonnay at age 21.

1993 Geantet-Pansiot Charmes Chambertin- still very viable, deep, dark blue/ purple color; fruity, floral nose and major blue and black cherry and berry flavors in abundance continuing throughout.

1993 Louis Jadot Le Musigny- the last bottle of a good purchase many years ago, this just continues to please; of medium body, light red color, still nice primary strawberry and raspberry flavors abound with a little spice; this was consistent with the last bottle opened about 3 years ago; I can`t see this evolving into a better stage than it is now.

2005 Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche- seriously complex, full bodied, lots of black cherry/ berry with a hint of cola, smooth and easy with a welcomed long finish.

1999 Daniel Rion Echezeaux- another winner, this silky smooth wine offers some wild red and black berry and cherry notes in layers with fine depth and length; one got this as his WOTN.

1988 E. Guigal La Mouline- simply wonderful juice; magnificence in a bottle; lots of peppery, spicy cinnamon notes on top of the blue and black fruit all packaged together with great structure and perfect balance; power and finesse; a velvety mouth feel and great length; what more can one ask for? WOTN for at least 7 of our 9.

2004 Ornellaia Masseto- I thought in advance this could be a candidate for the WOTN even after the La Mouline, but it did not overwhelm as it has so many times before; this is not to say it was not good, it was super; the defining factor may be its youth; it has a long ways to go before it finds its ultimate personality; I got some coconut, Eucalyptus, ripe tannins, loads of fresh red and black fruit and its usual softness on the palate; revisit this in about 10 plus years.

2004 Ch. Ausone- awesome Ausone; I believe it was decanted for a brief time in advance and it could have stood more exposure; it was still unwinding when the next wine came, but what I got from the early on expression was nothing but grand potential; very complex, lots of depth, soft tannins, in 20 years, I`m there.

1986 Haut Brion- absolutely remarkable; another example of power and finesse and it`s still got a lot of aging and evolving to do; good black berry notes with some tar, cedar, chocolate and tobacco; this was decanted and certainly benefitted from it.

1999 Ch. d`Yquem [750 ml]- the usual full bodied, thick and luscious, creamy delight with lots of honeyed caramel, apricot and peach coating the palate all the way through; a good Yquem.

Cheers,

[laurent gibet]

Nice ...

I had an excellent Bâtard Paul Pernot 1992 in september 2004.

La Mouline 1998 great : diner at Pierre Gagnaire in Paris in february 2008.

[Jeff Leve]

Blake... Now I am jealous! Haut Brion, Masseto, Ausone and La Mouline in one dinner! Although, if I had to quibble, I find 1999 d'Yquem to be very light. I love Masseto, I wish I owned some. Have you had many vintages of the wine? Which is your favorite?

[Alex Stone]

Blake, Can you compare the 1998 La Mouline with maybe 1997? Are they at the same place as far as drinkability?

[laurent gibet]

Sorry, I meant La Mouline 1988 (95/10).
I met an excellent La Mouline 1998 (92/100) in november 2007 then in june 2012.

[Jeff Leve]

Laurent... I like 1998 La Mouline more than you did, and I really liked the 1988 La Mouline a lot more than you and Blake. For me, if it's a good bottle, it deserves 98-100 Pts, and it's still young. For me, 89, 90 and 91 are probably fully mature. But the 1988 is good for another 15-20 years. What a wine!

Blake... Is there any chance I can get you to come to LA Friday, Nov 23, for a fun wine dinner?

[Blake Brown]

Laurent... I like 1998 La Mouline more than you did, and I really liked the 1988 La Mouline a lot more than you and Blake. For me, if it's a good bottle, it deserves 98-100 Pts, and it's still young. For me, 89, 90 and 91 are probably fully mature. But the 1988 is good for another 15-20 years. What a wine!

Blake... Is there any chance I can get you to come to LA Friday, Nov 23, for a fun wine dinner?

Jeff, I just opened this up. It could have happened. Thanks for the thought. Email me direct next time.