Farewell to our brother, Rafael

 

The time with us was short and sweet

We will mention your name as we fall from our seat

With your contributions, our knowledge and palates have evolved

Wine Club Miami won’t be the same when you’re not involved

Off to the mountains and greener pasture But the door is always ope

for our Zen Master

 

Pierre Peters Cuvee Reserve Grand Cru The wine is clear or pale with hints of green typical to the Chardonnay. The mousse is fine and regular with a pretty ribbon of strong bubbles. The first nose is both flowery and fruity, then comes notes of fresh nuts and fresh bread. In the finish there is citrus which brings a beautiful impression of smoothness and freshness. Wine description provided by Wine.com. Fragrant, with floral and mineral accents, this vibrant blanc de blancs shows tropical hints of passion fruit and guava layered with salted almond and honey notes. Finely knit, featuring a lasting, delicate finish. Wine Spectator

2006 Piper-Heidsieck “Cuvée Rare” Brut Champagne The 2006 Brut Cuvée Rare is a rich, gourmand rendition of this prestige bottling, unfurling in the glass with a complex bouquet that mingles aromas of yellow orchard fruit, pears and fresh pineapple with nuances of buttered toast, iodine and smoke. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, broad and textural, while remaining fresh and surprisingly tight-knit at the core, concluding with a long and saline finish. There’s sufficient structural tension here to promise more than a decade’s graceful evolution, and although this is nicely balanced, it’s a generous, sun kissed rendition of the Cuvée Rare that reflects the warm vintage. (WK) Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

2015 Mersault Premier Cru “Genevrieres” Hospices de Beaune Nestled at the southern end of Meursault, the “Genevrières” plot gets its name from “juniper”, a spiky shrub inhabiting the parcel. Classified as a Premier Cru, it is known for its rocky soils producing deep, full-bodied and mineral white wines. Its exposure to the morning sunlight, allow the grapes to become plump and aroma-concentrated. Every year, the Hospices de Beaune organize an auction for their world renowned wines with all the proceeds going to charity. Our Meursault Premier Cru “Genevrières” is one of them.

1998 Les Cailloux (Lucien et André Brunel) “Cuvée Centenaire” Châteauneuf-du-Pape Dark, brooding aromas of fig compote and a spiced Port reduction unfurl from the glass, leading to a rich, velvety palate that shows notes of plum sauce, braised chestnut, macerated boysenberry, bittersweet chocolate ganache and dark rum-soaked prune. There’s powerful structure, but the layers of exotic fruit just absorb it all. A very impressive showing. Wine Spectator