DAWGS OFFLINE WITH GREENDRAZI - Suze in Dallas, TX (3/29/2008)

GreenDrazi finally made it to Dallas so an offline with a few of the DAWGS was in order. We tried to have a wide varietal of wines and just enjoy ourselves on a Saturday evening. I believe we succeeded.

On to the show...

• 1996 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon - France, Champagne
  WIML93-94?
  
  Tasted March 29, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Tight, slightly yeasty nose with some additional notes of yellow pears and yellow apples. A bit of bright cherry flavor up front with some notes of apple and citrus fruits. Medium to bright acidity, medium to full body. Seems in a bit of an awkward phase from previous bottles so I might be tempted to hold at this point. (93 pts.)
• 1996 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année - France, Champagne
  WIML94-95?
  
  Tasted March 29, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Light notes of sherry on the nose up front followed by some dough and ginger. Flavors with a hint of sherry at start followed by bright cherries and spiced pears. Vibrant acidity, full bodied. Drink or hold. (94 pts.)
• 2005 Castello della Sala (Antinori) Cervaro della Sala Umbria IGT - Italy, Umbria, Umbria IGT
  WIML93
  
  Tasted March 29, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Light yellow to yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of brown spices, paraffin and yellow fruits. Flavors of creme, spiced pears and minerals. Medium acidity and body. Good balance. Drink or hold. Upping my previous rating by 1 point. (93 pts.)
• 2003 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
  WIML93-94?
  
  Tasted March 29, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Yellow color in the glass, slightly cloudy throughout. Nose of vanilla and spices. Flavors of vanilla and spiced pears. Medium to bright acidity, meidum to full body. Drink or hold. Maybe a hair behind my previous two tastings of this wine. (93 pts.)
• 2006 Neyers Mourvedre Pato Vineyard - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County
  WIML89-90?
  
  Tasted March 29, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Hint of blueberry on the nose up front followed by notes of melted black licorice, pepper and a bit of earthiness. Flavors of Bing cherries, berries, licorice and bitters on the finish. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium body. Drink or hold. (89 pts.)
• 1995 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  WIML91-92?
  
  Tasted March 29, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, slightly cloudy looking. Nose of anise, saddle soap, black berries and cherries. Flavors of black licorice, cherries and berries. Bright acidity, medium tannins, medium body. Drink or hold. I'll likely hold 4-5 years since I have 1 bottle remaining. (91 pts.)
• 1995 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
  WIML94
  
  Tasted March 29, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, slightly cloudy looking. Nose of black cherries, florals and a hint of matchstick. Flavors of black cherries, berries ana touch of currants. Medium to bright acidity, medium tannins, medium body. Drink or hold. Drinking really well right now though. (94 pts.)
• 2001 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir Little Hill Block - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
  WIML92+
  
  Tasted March 29, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black cherries, berries and potpourri. Flavors of black cherries, a hint of currants and some rich berries on the finish. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (92 pts.)
• 1992 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
  WIML92?
  
  Tasted March 29, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Nose of dried herbs, mixed fruits and earth. Flavors of black cherries, berries and black licorice. Medium acidity, firm tannins, full body. Drink or hold. (92 pts.)
• 1994 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML92?
  
  Tasted March 29, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Aromas of licorice, smoke and dark fruits. Flavors of black licorice, berries, plums and cherries. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, full body. Drink or hold. (92 pts.)
• 2005 Margerum Syrah Uber - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
  WIML89-91
  
  Tasted March 29, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Nose of melted black licorice and potpourri. Flavors of black licorice and dark currants. Light to medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (90 pts.)
• 1996 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
  WIML91?
  
  Tasted March 29, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Nose of anise, currants and raisins. Flavors of black currants, jammy black berries and later some unexpected espresso notes. Medium to bright acidity, medium tannins, medium body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)