The Extreme 95+ Point Connoisseur Wine Festival
Where: Willow Park Wines and Spirits - Main Store
Price: VIP Access $200, General Admission $100
“The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom...You never know what is enough until you know what is more than enough.” ― William Blake
By my mental math, the VIP tasting gave guests access to a taste of over $10000 worth of wines; with most earning 100 point scores from the most recognized critics on the planet. If you’d like the opportunity to taste perfectly scored first growths from Bordeaux, the finest Syrah from the Rhone, perhaps top tier Napa Cabs or flawless Sauternes, this is your chance. Like kids in a candy store, the hardest decision was where to start and I chose bubbles to awaken the palate.
Starting with a wine that has only been made in 8 vintages since 1976, the 2002 Piper-Heidsieck Brut Vintage Rare is a blend 17 crus aged 7 years that consists of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. While not technically perfect; Spectator scored it at 97 points, it was a delightful way to start the evening with a supple honeyed body, white tea notes and integrated acid. This is up there with Krug Grand Cuvée as a top Champagne in my book.
From the Piper Rare, the table to visit was manned by Peter Smolarz who was educating / storytelling while pouring top tier Bordeaux. The 2005 Bellevue Mondotte St. Emilion was singing and is entering a fantastic drinking window, as was the 2005 Chateau Margaux which still has many many years of life ahead of it. The 2009 Pontet-Canet showcased textbook Pauillac notes of No.5 pencil and has such purity of fruit and great approachability that resisting its charm is almost impossible. The 2010 Mouton was wound up tight and would do well by another 5 years sleep in the cellar. Over $5000 in wine at this one table and all 100 pointers. In a word; magic.
From Bordeaux, it was time to visit Kathy Rawlyk from Pacific Wine and Spirits to give some Syrah from Hermitage along with Michael Bigattini who was pouring Côte-Rôtie. I was fortunate enough to assess the 2013 Domaine Paul Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle at the Charity Wine Auction and while amazing, the 2015 vintage has that extra gear providing power and depth making it the real deal for long term cellaring. The 2011 Guigal La Landonne Côte-Rôtie was one of the more approachable wine of the tasting showcasing gorgeous plum and iron characteristics. This wine is entering a fantastic drinking window now over the next 15+ years.
From Rhone, it was off to test some back vintage (2003) Grange out of magnum from Penfolds along with the yet to be released 2015 Insignia from Joseph Phelps and the finest from Washington State; the 2014 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley. Both the Insignia and Quilceda Creek are irresistible today but for those with patience and budget to have a couple in cellar reserve, the rewards will be even better. The Grange maturity was a fine foil to the freshness of wines 10+ years younger than it and its richness of black fruit and oak profile align it well to North American palates.
Finally, the dessert from Chateau d’Yquem and their 2001 Sauternes. A beautiful balance of sugar and acidity; notes of honey, apricot and botrytis spice with layers of pineapple and almond. I likened the experience to liquefied baklava. It is hard to imagine a more perfect way to end the night. Coupled with some lobes of foie gras...heaven!
I would like to send out thanks to Peggy Perry, Anna MacNamara and the entire beverage and food team from Willow Park Wines and Spirits for yet another stellar tasting. Event after event continues to deliver the best the beverage world has to offer. Tickets to these festivals make great gifts for those hard to buy for wine lovers on your list and check out their website for more information.
