DAWGS OFFLINE - OCTOBER 2008 - TexasZin's house in Garland, TX (10/11/2008)

DAWGS OFFLINE - OCTOBER 2008 - TexasZin's house in Garland, TX (10/11/2008)

The DAWGS gathered at TexasZin's house in Garland, TX for our monthly offline in October. Theme for the dinner was "Good Pinot Noir". On to the show...

A couple of palate primers to get the evening started...

• N.V. Segura Viudas Cava Aria Brut - Spain, Catalunya, Cava
  WIML86?
  
  Tasted October 11, 2008 at an offline.
  
  Opened and served immediately. Dark raspberry color in the glass, clear hue throughout with light everessence. Light nose of black raspberries and black cherries. Bit of an earthy presence on the palate with black cherries on the short to medium finish. Medium acidity, light to medium body. Drink now. (86 pts.)
• 1995 Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Champagne Diamant Bleu - France, Champagne
  WIML92
  
  Tasted October 11, 2008 at an offline.
  
  Opened and served immediately. Light yellow to yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout with very light everessence. Nose of toast, pear and yellow apple. Flavors of yellow apple and pear. Bright acidity, medium to full body. Feminine/sexy kind of wine. Drink or hold. (92 pts.)

The main event...Pinots from everywhere!

• 2003 Rapet Père et Fils Aloxe-Corton - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Aloxe-Corton
  WIML88?
  
  Tasted October 11, 2008 at an offline.
  
  Opened and decanted about an hour and a half before serving. Probably could have used a little more time. Light garnet to garnet color in the glass. clear hue throughout. Nose of black cherries, forest floor and a bit of anise. Flavors of black cherries, berries and a touch of mint on the medium finish. Light to medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink now with a decant at cellar temperature or hold. (88 pts.)
• 1998 Gros Frere et Sœur Clos Vougeot Musigni - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
  WIML91?
  
  Tasted October 11, 2008 at an offline.
  
  Opened and served immediately. Revisited after about 2 hours. Garnet color in the glass, slightly cloudy looking throughout. Nose has a bit of barnyard up front followed by notes of underbrush and mixed black fruits. Flavors of berries and cherries. Bright acidity, medium tannins, medium body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)
• 1997 Thomas Pinot Noir - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  WIML90
  
  Tasted October 11, 2008 at an offline.
  
  Served from magnum. Opened and served immediately. Light garnet to garnet color in the glass, slightly cloudy looking. Nose of potpourri, wet stones, a little rubber and some black berries. Flavors of black berries and black cherries. Medium acidity, medium tannins, medium body. Drink over the short term. (90 pts.)
• 2005 J.K. Carriere Pinot Noir - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  WIML91
  
  Tasted Octover 11, 2008 at an offline.
  
  Opened and served immediately. Revisited over 2 hours. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of perfume, black cherries and black berries. Flavors of black berries and black cherries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink now with at least an hour in the decanter or continue to hold. (91 pts.)
• 2002 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
  WIML91-92
  
  Tasted October 11, 2008 at an offline.
  
  Opened and served immediately. Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of potpourri, black cherries and black berries. Rich flavors of black berries, black cherries and a bit of currant on the medium to long finish. Medium acidity and tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)
• 2005 A.P. Vin Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills
  WIML90
  
  Tasted October 11, 2008 at an offline.
  
  Opened and served immediately. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black cherries, black berries and a bit of brown spice. Flavors of cherries dominate with added notes of currants. Medium acidity, firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink over the medium term. (90 pts.)
• 2002 Yabby Lake Vineyard Pinot Noir - Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Mornington Peninsula
  WIML87?
  
  Tasted October 11, 2008 at an offline.
  
  Opened and decanted about 2 1/2 hours before serving. Dark garnet color in the glass, slightly cloudy looking. bit of band aid up front with notes of berries followed by some eucalyptus. Jammy berries on the palate with a surprisingly short finish. Light to medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium body. Alcohol came across as a little high but not offensive. Drink or hold. (87 pts.)
• 2004 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Premier Cuvée - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  WIML90
  
  Tasted October 11, 2008 at an offline.
  
  Opened and served immediately. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Tight nose of wet stones, light perfume notes and a little mixed red fruit. Rich flavors of red berries and sweet cherries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold. At first tasting this wine was closer to 87-88 points in my book but once this wine hit about 2-3 hours of air it really started to blossom and picked up 2-3 points. (90 pts.)
• 2003 Ribbon Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir Estate - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  WIML87
  
  Tasted October 11, 2008 at an offline.
  
  Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of smoke, potpourri and mixed fruits. Flavors of mixed red fruits with some bitters on the medium finish. Tart acidity, medium tannins, light to medium body. Just a tad hot. Drink over the short to medium term. (87 pts.)
• 2002 Elkhorn Peak Pinot Noir Fagan Creek - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML89
  
  Tasted October 11, 2008 at an offline.
  
  Opened and served immediately. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of wet stones, light pepper notes and some anise. Flavors of berries with a little licorice. Light to medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium body. Drink or hold. Could probably use a short decant upon opening. (89 pts.)
• 2003 Ribbon Ridge Winery Pinot Noir Ridgecrest Vineyards - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  WIML89+
  
  Tasted October 11, 2008 at an offline.
  
  Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of berries, cherries and wet stones. Flavors of plums and berries. Light to medium acidity, light to medium tannins, medium body. Drink or hold. Pushing the 90 point barrier in my book. (89 pts.)

Hey, who snuck this one in...?

• 2000 Château Grand Mayne - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
  WIML91
  
  Tasted October 11, 2008 at an offline.
  
  Opened and decanted about 2-3 hours before serving. Purple color in the glass. clear hue throughout. Nose of thistle, cocoa, smoke and plum. Flavors of plums and berries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Hold. (91 pts.)

Many thanks to Mr. & Mrs. TexasZin for hosting.