(WT121620-01) 19 LANGHE BIANCO DRAGON LUIGI BAUDANA, AZ. AGR. G. D. VAJRA $18.99 12/16/20 Wednesday Group Tasting Notes - (ITALY) 13%; sauvignon blanc, riesling. And nascetta from a single vineyard in the village of Anascella in Novello. Sauvignon citrusy crispness to the fore. Then riesling peach chimes in. Then the delicate powderpuff like nascetta thing./ Balance of crispness and roundness marks the varietal tete a tete. Flavorful, including that unique nascetta contribution. Woodsy, musky undertones. Lasting and most agreeable aftertaste. Lemon shortbread. Mouthwatering too. This is entertainment. 17.0.
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(WT121620-02) 18 AUXEY DURESSES BLANC LES VIREUX, DOMAINE RAYMOND DUPONT-FAHN $47.99 12/16/20 Wednesday Group Tasting Notes - (FRANCE BURGUNCY) 13%; from a site that is mostly Premier Cru and sits just up-slope from Meursault Vireux; 20 months in barrels; unfined, unfiltered. Large, powerful Meursault like autumnal aroma of grain bin, oatmeal, and dried leaves. Well measured Burgundian barrel regimen./ Lush 18 fruit contained within an oak framework. Runs deep. A youngster, decidedly on the up and up. Pleasing acidity shows as it wraps up, rendering this a well balanced presentation. Well liked by the group. Orders taken. 17.6+.
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(WT121620-03) 19 BANDOL ROSE TERROIR DU TRIAS, DOMAINE DE TERREBRUNE $34.99 12/16/20 Wednesday Group Tasting Notes - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) 13%; 50% mourvedre, 25% each grenache, cinsault. Whoa, this is one big, brawny rose suitable to hearty cold-weather fare. Both purple and red fruits starting to well up as it airs./ More fruit pushes through on the palate, showing great mourvedre-dominant clarity on the aftertaste. Will serve both this winter and next. Tangy acidity counters its considerable bulk. 17.2+.
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(WT121620-04) 18 EVESHAM WOOD WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR $26.99 12/16/20 Wednesday Group Tasting Notes - (U.S. WEST COAST) 13%; est. 1986; Wine Enthusiast 92/100. This is always one of the most high-toned and elegant of Oregon pinots. The nose soars: both crisp, cool cherries and cherry blossoms./ Oh, yes, the delicacy, the purity, the bright acidity. Red Wine with Fish candidate. Lasting savor, flavor, texture. 17.1+.
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(WT121620-05) 18 CROZES HERMITAGE EQUINOXE EQUIS, MAXIME GRAILLOT $27.99 12/16/20 Wednesday Group Tasting Notes - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) 13.5%; son of Alain Graillot; from sites near Domaine de Lises. Very racy and aromatic and up front. Raspberry patch, white pepper to the extreme, smoked meat (beef jerky), and lavender overtones. That's a pure and inimitable Rhone Septentrionale syrah set./ Less explicit on the palate at this stage due to obstructing tannin, albeit fine tannin. Brisk acidity confirms its raciness. I suppose one could call it 'modern' (right down to the screw-top). Works. 17.2
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(WT121620-12) 18 GIGONDAS VIEILLES VIGNES, DOMAINE SAINT DAMIEN $31.99 12/16/20 Wednesday Group Tasting Notes - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) 15%; 80% grenache (65 yr old vines), 20% mourvedre (37 yr old vines); Parker 94/100. Great garrigue flair, power, old vines concentration. Enormous sense of presence in the nostrils./ Garrigue notions spread all over the palate. Old vines core of fruit intensity. A Gigondas gob-ful of a palate that refuses to quit. Keeper type and degree of tannin. 17.5+.