• 1997 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut - France, Champagne
  I had a quick taste of this bottle that was graciously purchased for the group by Mat Garreton. Then I ceded it to Wendy Collins who was far, far more excited about the wine than I was.
  

• 1988 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
  Corked!
  
• 1990 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
  Oily and interesting, but this left much less of an impression on me than I expected.
  

• 1983 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
  This wine had an absolutely gorgeous, almost haunting, nose of smoky bacon and tar with some light floral notes. The palate was light, delicate and fully resolved with Nebbiolo-like notes of dried Rose petal and black cherry. Tart, lightly acidic and definitely drying out, I wouldn't sit on these for a long time. Very enjoyable!
  
• 1988 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
  Corked!
  
• 1990 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
  Wow, this was an utterly fantastic bottle of a truly special wine. I don't think I could ask for more in a Hermitage. I didn't bother to write down any descriptors, as I was simply enjoying this too much. Smoky perfection with loads of fruit, power, mineral and sophistication to spare. Perfect balance. An intellectual wine. (100 pts.)
  
• 1995 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
  Dense, tarry and forbidding, this is very tight and not very expressive right now. With air and a LOT of swirling this did open up a bit to show a deep mass of fruit and a particulalry aggressive vein of acidity. This is a WOW wine, but it seems to be at least 5 years from even being close to ready.
  
• 1990 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
  This was a difficult showing for a great wine. Muddled, bloody but also dark and ungiving. Tough showing.
  

• 1990 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Well it's a good day when you can have this wine TWICE in the same day! The first bottle was impressive, but this bottle was just off the charts, everything I could ever think to ask for in a Châteauneuf-du-Pape. What really blew me away about the bottle tonight was just how, open, complex an expressive it was, a crazy melange of spices, roasted meat, cherry, blood, all delivered in a rich, deep, chewy package that is loaded with fruit, structure, nice acidity and delineation. Man oh man, unreal! (100 pts.)
  
• 2002 Sine Qua Non Grenache - USA, California
  Sweet fruit, almost Aussie-like, yet this is just not a wine that could be enjoyed given its peer group. Any other day perhaps. Give this one a while, as it is just too primary and sweet right now.
  

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Out of curiosity, how long was the '90 La Chapelle open?

-Al

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