Pour Boys Wine Group - OTBN 2026
For the fifteenth year in a row, our Pour Boys Wine Group gathered together to celebrate OTBN - Open That Bottle Night. As is customary, the annual OTBN wine event – Open That Bottle Night OTBN is held on the last Saturday night in February. This year was the 25th such event since its creation in 2000 by Dorothy Gaither and John Brecher wine columnists for the Wall Street Journal. OTBN was established to set aside to share and compare special bottles of wine, that have been held in our cellars, waiting for the special occasion to open, that hasn’t yet come, so as to eventually succumb to the inevitable, its time, open that bottle (to)night!
Tonight's wine flight offered an extraordinary selection of wines including no less than five 100 point perfect score labels! While we don't subscribe to the ratings and rankings as our true north, they do provide a valid benchmark for judging a label.
Last year, we all traveled to Charleston (SC) for a getaway weekend to visit fellow Pour Boy Bill and Beth as featured in this blogpost - OTBN 2025 in Charleston.
The last two years we followed the seasons, striving to head south during the winter, and back north during the other seasons. After our October gathering, it was decided Chicago was a more amenable meeting point this year so we agreed to host on the traditional end of February date.
This year we were joined by regular’s Lyle, Dan, and John (below), who came in from Williamsburg, and Eric & Cathy who just returned from a tour in Italy.
We were joined this year by son Ryan and two of his wine buddies, Brian W and Mark C, and son Alec.
My remarkable wife Linda, loves to cook, and single-handedly prepared a wonderful dinner of tenderloin Beef Bourguignon, an extensive medley of roasted vegetables, pomme purée, and a course of ramekins of lobster medallions with fresh croutons and butter, a fresh mixed salad and extensive charcuterie and cheese course.
She also spent the previous day preparing the Chocolate Mousse and Beef Bourguignon sauce.
Prior to dinner there was an extensive selection of artisan cheeses, charcuterie, fresh fruits, mixed nuts, artisan chocolates and shrimp cocktail.
As to be expected, we had a fabulous extensive flight of extraordinary wines - Champagne, whites, reds, and dessert wines.
As he is known to do, “Champagne John” brought two exceptional single vintage Champagnes.
Krug Brut 2011
The final blend of this vintage is forty-six percent Pinot Noir, thirty-seven percent Chardonnay and seventeen percent Pinot Meunier.
This was a star in a challenging vintage ... It was rated 98 points by James Suckling, 97 by Jeb Dunnuck and Wine Spectator, 96 by John Gilman and 94 by Decanter.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4926833
Tattinger Champagne de Comtes Grands Cru Blanc de Blanc 2007
Another highly acclaimed top rated label - this was rated 98 points by James Suckling, 97 and Cellar Selection by Wine Enthusiast, 96 by Decanter, Vinous and Int'l Wine Review, and 95 by Wine Advocate and John Gilman.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1555753
In addition, for the cheese and salad course shrimp and lobster, there was a diverse selection of interesting white wines - a traditional Napa Chardonnay, two Rhône blends and a Spanish Priorat. .
Merryvale 'Silhouette' Napa Valley Chardonnay 2017
This Napa Valley label is sourced from “the best Chardonnay blocks on the historic Stanly Ranch and Hyde vineyards” in Carneros. This bottling represents the best Chardonnay fruit of the vintage.
The wine fermented in barrel with native yeasts and full malolactic. It was aged 16 months with the full lees in 40% new French oak. 700 cases were produced.
This is produced by Maggie Harrison, legendary winemaker who gained fame working at Sine Qua Non, known for ultra-premium Shiraz. This white wine is a unique Rhône Valley varietal, Rousanne.
From the winery: "The goal with all Lillian wines — Roussanne, Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon — is to work with these historical, noble varieties in a sun-drenched place but raise the wines in such a way that gives the wines levity.
Lillian is also winemaker for the ultra-premium Antica Terra, in Dundee, OR, who shares the winery and tasting room with Lillian.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2739240
https://www.lillianwinery.com/
https://www.lillianwinery.com/lillian-wines/
E. Guigal “La Doriane” Condrieu (Viognier) 2014
This is from iconic prolific producer E. Guigal, known for their vast portfolio of wines - this Northern Rhône Viognier is a blend of five-choice parcels from the Condrieu appellation, vinified separately and blended just before bottling..
It the was rated 96-97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 by Wine Spectator, and 93 by James Suckling and Vinous.
Parker’s Wine advocate writes - “The 2014 Condrieu la Doriane is a sensational white with full-bodied richness, awesome purity and integrated acidity. Deep, rich, lengthy and profound, it’s up there with some of the greatest Condrieu ever made.”
Winemaker Notes - “La Doriane is a luxury cuvée of Condrieu that E. Guigal has produced since the 1994 vintage. A great success since the firstvintage, the wine always seems richly oaked and very fruity when young, transforming in 3-4 years into a seamlessly complex,aromatic and vibrant wine. La Doriane contradicts the accepted wisdom that Condrieu does not age well.”
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2118402
Another unique white varietal …
Wine Spectator rated it 95 points and a *Spectator Selection*. Wine Advocate gave it 92 points.
In addition to serving this at son Alec and Vivianna’s wedding celebration, we also toasted their engagement with this label as well. We’ve featured it in these previous wine posts -
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2019/10/parents-son-dinner-features-birth-year.html
October 26, 2019 - Dark garnet colored, medium-full bodied, flawless, elegant, polished, harmonious, perfectly balanced, silky smooth flavors of concentrated black berry and black raspberry fruits with notes of vanilla, licorice, spice, black truffles and oak with hints of spice and cedar turning to fine grained tongue puckering tannins on the long lingering finish.
Lyle brought his customary Vintage Port for the dessert course, and a Super Second Bordeaux …
Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou St Julien Bordeaux 2014
Beside the Champagnes, and the Viogner, John brought a fabulous arguably Super Second Margaux …
Chateau Palmer Margaux Bordeaux 2016
John brought this spectacular 100 point ‘super second’ Margaux, from one of our favorite producers.
Upon opening, I immediately considered this a candidate for WOTN - Wine of the Night!
It was rated 100 points by Wine Enthusiast, Vinous and Jeb Dunnuck, who rated this 100 points and wrote, "The finest vintage I’ve ever tasted from this estate, surpassing the 2009 and 2010, the 2016 Château Palmer."
It was rated 98 points by James Suckling, Wine Advocate and Decanter.
This release is a blend of 47% each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Petit Verdot, all of which was brought up in 65% new French oak. This release should keep for half a century. (Jed Dunnuck)
We stayed within walking distance of the Chateau during our Bordeaux wine Experience back in 2019. Regrettably, we played phone tag over several days and were never able to synch up to confirm our tasting tour. We did walk over and see the magnificent Chateau and grounds.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2594466 Primissimo Puglia Salento Negra Amaro 2021
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=5696827
Son Ryan arrived with wine buddies Brian W and Mark C, each with a couple of notable wines to share and compare.
Ryan brought from his cellar two spectacular 100 point labels …
Sine Qua Non “The Hated Hunter” California Syrah 2017
It was rated 100 points by Jeb Dunnuck, 98 points by Wine Advocate, and 96 points by Vinous.
This may have been the clear WOTN - Wine of the Night, except I would put it in almost its own category ... apart from the Bordeaux varietal labels.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3368169
Cliff Lede Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Cliff Lede is one of our favorite Napa Valley producers. We've visited the estate several times and our tastings there have been highlights of several of our Napa Valley trips.
https://www.mcnees.org/winesite/napa/napa-09/lede-0909/napa_harvest_09_lede.htm
Suckling wrote, "The Cliff Lede, 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon is pure perfection in a glass. This extraordinary wine is unquestionably one of the finest in this report and has an awesome, singular style that's hard to believe."
Stalworth Napa Valley Rutherford Bench Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
This is the product of Sabrina and Timothy Persson who took over the family Napa Valley winery in 2012. They farm two vineyards on the Rutherford Bench of Napa Valley, known for narrow alluvial fans that spill out from the Mayacamas foothills along the western edge of Rutherford and Oakville. These ancient deposits marry depth and complexity with natural drainage, compelling the vines to reach deep into the soil while tempering vigor.
The two vineyards showcased by Stalwørth sit along Napa Valley’s western benchlands and share the hallmarks of the Rutherford Bench, yet each brings its own distinctive voice.
The Rutherford vineyard is a small, organically farmed site producing more red-toned fruit with supple tannins and graceful texture.
The Oakville vineyard is a small, dry-farmed vineyard at the base of the Oakville Grade, yielding darker fruit with a refined, velvety structure. Together, these vineyards capture the full range of the western benchlands’ character, complementing each other in balance and expression.
It is crafted by legendary winemaker Celia Welch.
Turnbull Black Label Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Turnbull Winery sitting on St Helena Hwy in Oakville, are owners and farmers of four premiere estate vineyards in Napa Valley, 90 acres in Oakville and 60 acres in Calistoga dating back over four decades.
The Fortuna vineyard sitting atop the Oakville bench with a western exposure was the original homestead of the pre-vine era Weitz cattle range and then home to the first vines planted in the area.
The remainder is from the historic Fortuna vineyard site from pre-Prohibition and originally sourced by the venerable Christian Brothers winery. Fortuna sits at the base of the gently sloping Oakville Bench, on the eastern side of the Oakville appellation.
Only 62 cases were produced in this select bottling.
This release was rated 96 points by Vinous and Wine Enthusiast (Cellar Selection), 95 points by Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator and 92 by James Suckling.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4115879
https://www.turnbullwines.com/
Altamura Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Their sprawling 400 acre Altamura Ranch in historic Wooden Valley, on Mt George at the south end of the Vaca Mountain range that forms the eastern wall of Napa Valley, high above the town of Napa. The historic ranch was settled by members of Karen Altamura’s family back in 1855. Frank and Karen cleared 65 acres and planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese on six different sites. Caves were dug and they constructed a stone winery at the Altamura Family home in Wooden Valley.
We visited the Altamura estate winery on one of our first Napa Valley trips back in the late 1980's.
Their hillside and valley floor estate vineyards in Wooden Valley are at elevations of 700 to 1000 feet with diverse soil types on the ranch which are similar to the Rutherford Bench and the mountainous regions of Howell Mountain, Pritchard Hill and Mount Veeder.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3830998
https://www.altamura.com/
Son Alec arrived and brought this interesting Napa Cab ..
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3830998
Soquel Partner’s Reserve Atlas Peak Stagecoach Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
This label was rated 95 points by Wine Advocate, 93 by Vinous and 92 by Jeb Dunnuck.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3005686
For finishing the evening Linda prepared her delectable chocolate mousse. For an accompaniment, Lyle opened his signature Vintage Port, and I opened a limited production Austrian dessert wine.
As the night wore on, the boys raided the cellar and pulled some additional interesting reds to taste and compare … including the Penfold’s Grange, mentioned above, and this limited release Diamond Mountain selection …
Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port 1995
The Taylor's Port Quinta de Vargellas vineyard was acquired in 1893 and is now a Class A vineyard, one of the pre-eminent among the wine estates of the Douro dating back to the 1820s. It ranks among the great vineyards of the world.
Wine Spectator cited this as "Ranked #10 Top 100 Wines of 1998", and gave it 92 points.
Vinous rated it 94 points, and John Gilman gave it 91 and gave it a drinking window out until 2030 - "Drink between 2011-2030"
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=19047
And I pulled from our cellar some aged TBA's from Austria …
Kracher Welschriesling Trockenberenausliese Zwischen Den Seen Number 8
https://mcnees.org/winesite/labels/label_library_pages/label_library_Europe.htm
These rare ultra-premium dessert wines are fun to watch as they age, turning from straw colored, to butter, to golden, to weak tea and to tea colored, as shown here at twenty-five years.
They were great to taste over the ensuing week for sipping with a variety of entrees and desserts.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=19088
