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Summer was full of birthday celebrations, and one of its finest and funnest was Lulu’s. (Yes, I know I made up a word). Now usually, these wine-fueled birthday celebrations can be a bit of a boys’ club, but Lulu happens to be the wife of the Mogul, and the Mogul is a gentleman, and he celebrates his wife’s birthday to the utmost. And if you’re the Mogul, and there is a celebration, there has to be a boatload – literally – of fine and rare wine. Lulu loves a good celebration herself, as she is from Brazil, and I like to roll deep with Brazilians as much as possible. They know how to celebrate life to the fullest!

The first day started on “The Boat.” I am pretty sure I write about “The Boat” every summer, or every Fall when I finally catch up. If you like to drink wine, and you like to visit the Hamptons, you need to be on “The Boat.” Of course, you would have to be invited by the Mogul, and thankfully I was. The first day we motored out East into the Atlantic ocean, had some lunch and took a dip in the refreshing water. I didn’t take many notes, but I did jot down some scores. Here’s a brief recap:

1988 Krug (97M)
1983 Raveneau Chablis Les Clos (94M)
1996 Leflaive Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles (93)
2011 Coche-Dury Meursault Perrieres (95)
2008 Dauvissat Chablis Les Clos (93)
2000 Raveneau Chablis Les Clos (92M)
1996 Dujac Clos St. Denis (95+M)
1980 Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Beze (94)

I am going to use some executive privilege here and move on, because it was a busy two days. After the boat, we all went our separate ways and ended up at Tom Terrific’s place for a spectacular dinner. It was one of the best dinners I can remember. The food, the company and, of course, the wine. Every bottle was just spectacular. It was one of those nights where the wine heavens opened up, and there was Tom at the head of the big table in the sky lol.

We began with a rare bird, I mean bottle, it being the 1991 Chave Blanc. This was an outstanding bottle of white, on the mineral-driven side of what this wine can be. It was full-bodied and focused, just starting to come around. I like the kinky side of this wine, too, where there is enough fruit to fill a Whole Foods, but this wasn’t that. It was bordering on mean, in a good, spank me kind of way (96).

Next up was a rock star bottle of 1996 Leflaive Chevalier Montrachet. When they are on, they are definitely on. It was full of rich, buttered popcorn and a light, tertiary caramel note. It was so tasty and in that perfect spot, the one where the plateau is just beginning (97).

The 1978 Dujac Clos St. Denis was spectacular and immediately in the 98-point territory. It was rich, creamy and more than outstanding. JB noted ‘mint and eucalyptus,’ and I noted everything I would want in a mature Burgundy. The kaleidoscope of fruit flavors – that’s black, red and purple – cascaded so easily down my hatch. Light, teasing complexities of exotic nuts, mushrooms and forest foreplay got me even more excited. What a wine (98).

I can never get enough 1978 DRC La Tache and this bottle was no exception. It got oohs, aahs and wows from the crowd. This was full of garden, menthol and rose with some benevolent tea-like qualities about it. It had laser-like focus and great length. As good as it was, there was something ethereal about the Dujac that put it just a nose, or a palate, ahead (97+).

In contrast, the 1978 DRC Romanée St. Vivant was a touch simpler and a bit earthy by comparison. In any other context, it might have been more appreciated. It was a Jetski ‘94 points,’ and for once I agreed with his stingy, incredibly low scores (94).

Somehow, a 2001 Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche showed up. I love the wine, and it was still flirting with me with its youthful and vimful personality. I just don’t love it served in between my 70s and 60s DRC lol. It was big and beefy, almost chunky and still a touch too young, especially after the two incredible ‘78s that preceded it. Deep purple resonated in its chorus (95).

I misspoke earlier, as the 1966 DRC La Tache didn’t deliver a perfect experience. This vintage is very up and down for me for LT. This one was full of deep, dark, chocolaty tootsie pop flavors, a bit funky and old. Tom cracked his staff three times on the floor, and the wine was gone (92A).

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