1996 Cos d’Estournel
We had big expectations for this wine and it didn’t disappoint. It took some time to open up to the point that when first opened, we were worried it might be off. After a two hour decant it started to sing! Dark red in colour, it’s a very complex wine revealing notes of plum, cherry, blackberry, earth and tobacco. A lovely textured mouth feel with a very nice long finish. Still seems to have time but we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Excellent+
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The chalkboard listing the wines at the Sparkman tasting room.
“Family. Good Livin’. Damn Fine Wine.” So reads the tagline at Sparkman Cellars in Woodinville, Washington. A bold statement by any winery let alone one that makes 29 different wines! But with a serious background in wine combined with a skillful winemaker situated in one of the up-and-coming wine regions in the world, they certainly seem to have all the ingredients to live up to that statement.
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The tasting room at Remirez de Ganuza
We had the privilege of touring and tasting at Remirez De Ganuza in the Spanish Denominacion de Origen (the Spanish term for viticultural region) of Rioja while we were a part of the Fine Vintage Tour of Northern Spain. Over the last 3 decades Remirez de Ganuza has experimented and come up with new techniques both in the vineyard and in the winery which have elevated their wines to the top echelons of Rioja and even earned a 100 point score.
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2007 Pegau Cuvée Reserve
Medium to dark red in colour. The nose was a bit muted at first but when it opened up it offered dark cherry and herbs. The body was medium and carried the wine with a sense of restrained power. The tannins were fully resolved and there was moderate acidity on the back end. The flavours of Kirsch and macerated cherries were joined with herbal notes, mushrooms and forest and a good dose of cracked black pepper on the finish. Fully mature, this top level Chateauneuf-du-Pape was drinking on point. The intensity of the fruit and the balance suggest at least another 5 years of good drinking.
Excellent
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1996 La Grande Dame
In 1971, 12 growers in Champagne got together with an idea to make a special Champagne that would showcase their individual terroirs and their excellent wine making capabilities. For decades the Grande Marques (what the Champenois call the big, prestige producers) had been producing their tête cuvées which consumers knew were the best of their best. These would include Dom Perignon from Moët & Chandon, Comtes de Champagne from Tattinger, Cristal from Roederer, Cuvée Winston Churchill from Pol Roger and the like. These tête cuvées showed just how good Champagne could be when blended by the hands of a master. Blending grapes, sometimes from up to 60 different vineyards, showed the Grande Marque’s house style at its finest. As a response, these 12 growers decided to band together and create a special blend that showcased the very best of individual terroir from the Champagne de Vigneron (Champagne of Winegrower). These wines are called Special Club Champagnes.
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