Wines Tasted Blind in Group - Monday, January 4, 2010

 

2005 - Cape Mentelle -Shiraz - Margaret River - Western Australia - (Modern, Ager) - One look at  (certainly not thru) this wine and we see a dark opaque purple/black wine with a garnet rim.  Viscosity is very high as is concentration.  Aromas are intense and clearly Australian: Chocolate, mint, brown spice, caramel, leather, plums, blueberries, blackberry pie filling and raw coconut/coconut shell.  This wine is dry, highly tannic, moderatly acidic and highly alcoholic in the classic Aussie paradigm.  It was the tannin structure which led me away from South Australia, but not away from Shiraz!  Thick and viscous in the rich, syrupy midpalette thru to an extended finish of sweet and bitter chocolate and fig paste.

Had to be there to believe it!

A special side by side of: 2006 Ornellaia, 2005 Ch. Rauzan Segla and 2005 Pine Ridge Fortis Cabernet.

Pine Ridge Vineyards Staff Tasting - January 23, 2009

Staff Tasting Recap – Jan. 2009
By: Eric C. Maczko

On January 28th I led the first tasting of 2009: the Line up of All Current Release Wines
We had 18 attendees. Most were able to stay the duration. We even had a top referrer join us.
I began the tasting with a comparison of 2007 & 2008 Chenin Blanc Viogniers.
I followed those with a flight of Chardonnays: 2006 & 2007 Dijon Clones and 2006 Le Petit Clos.
The first two reds were: 2005 Carneros Merlot & 2006 Crimson Creek.
Then we covered the Cabernets two by two: 2005 Cabernet Franc & 2005 Onyx;
2006 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon & 2005 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon;
2005 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon & 2005 Epitome Cabernet Sauvignon;
2005 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon & 2005 Andrus Reserve;
2004 Fortis & 2005 Fortis were the concluding wines.

In revere, I found that both vintages of Chenin Blanc/Viogniers tasted great, but different due to acid/fruit profiles. But, one could conclude that the wine will age for 3 – 4 years successfully. I also noted that the Dijon Clones wines were remarkably similar, even now. That did surprise me. I found the 2006 Crimson Creek to be “early” in its bottle development, while the 2005 Carnereos Merlot was excellent, if a bit bulky, now.
The 2005 Cabernet Franc was less expressive than previous vintages as far as raspberry fruit, but more expressive in the bittersweet chocolate, cocoa and black cherry/dry sage arenas. The 2005 Onyx impressed upon me a solid, Rioja Reserva character, now that is a positive despite some people’s reactions to my observation. It was hearty, toasty, cedary and full of Zino Platinum Cigar qualities. Spice led fruit in the general state of affairs in the Onyx, and that’s why I feel it is always a cigar lover’s style or a Syrah lover’s style.
The 2006 Napa Cabernet was showing its Malbec component up front, while expressing firm wood based tannins through the finish. The fruit layers were evident as well as being pleasant. The 2005 Oakville was tight and firm with classic Napa character: black and red cherry, cedary toast, rigid tannins and ‘peppery’ spice-box. The 2005 Stags Leap District Cabernet was by-and-long the most fruit driven of the line-up, pumping out ripe black cherry, plum, cassis, and bursting blueberry character astride with fresh tobacco leaf, tannins were caressing yet firm. While it’s “brother”, the 2005 Epitome SLD Cabernet, was atomic with crushed red currant, fresh brewed mocha latte’ and green peppercorns: this is easily my crush for the vintage. The 2005 Howell Mountain Cabernet was a full bodied, massively structured wine laden with black cherry, grilled blueberry, beef carpaccio, coffee grounds, and minerality only Howell Mountain’s Volcanics can deliver. The 2005 Andrus Reserve was so quaffable I had to repour myself! A Rutherford based wine from the vineyard of the same name, it showed elegance in place of power. The red berry mix was both ripe and balanced here. The 2004 Fortis was showing well. The full bodied, layered cuvee was all about cherry pie filling, spice and chocolate, while the highly anticipated 2005 Fortis was more about black cherry and plum with coffee grounds. Both versions of the Flagship Fortis were highly extracted, full bodied, and balanced while drifting slightly to the ultra modern.

November 16th - 21st - Wines Tasted

Egelhoff Wines - 2003 - Napa - Cabernet Sauvignon - $75 - (Modern, Ager, Showpiece) - A monster nose of pure black cherry, cassis, black olive, green tea, peppery spice, kirsch and ground coffee. More closed on the palette but not shy about showing off its: black cherry, cassis, black plum, black tea and black olive arrangement. Moderatly high in alcohol; high in tannin and moderate in acid (typical of 2003).
We had a glass on Wednesday and drank the rest on Thursday...but it showed more breakdown than expected overnight. For such a tight wine I wonder about it's decant times? Any speculation?


Bryant Family Vineyards - 2001 - Napa - Cabernet Sauvignon - $350 - (Modern, Showpiece) - Dr Pepper-like aromas, teasanne, blackberry, eucalyptus/camphor, sage. Threw heavy sediment.
A medium bodied, moderate to mod low tannin, mod plus acid, Cabernet with a moderately short finish. An (14.1% alc) effort that doesn't come off as hot.

DB4 - Napa Cabernet - 2005 - $80 - (Showpiece, Modern) - The, "super second", wine of Bryant Family Vineyards. Smoky black cherry, chocolate, black olive, leather, tea, sage, and blackberries. A fullbodied, moderatly high in tannin, mountain wine with moderate acid and moderate high alcohol. A much spicier and more acidic version of the big brother. Shows off it's pomegranate, red plum and blackberry freely as it continues to open. I
Based on my tastings of recent Bryant Family wines I'd say this is very close to the Big-Brother wine, but at less than a third the cost...? It's well worth it if you're a fan.


Topaz - Late Harvest Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc - Anderson valley - 2005 - (Dessert Wine) - Orange peel, smoke, peach, florals, honey honeysuckle. Moderate acid and alcohol. Caramelized peach and nectarine as well as flambeed orange peel.


Chateau St. Michele - Grenache - Limited Release - 2005 - Columbia Valley - $28 - (Drink Now, Modern, Food Wine) - Strong cherry and cola to open, brown sugar, clove, ripe black berry and charred raspberry. A medium bodies wine which showcases moderat to moderate low tannin moderatly high acid and moderate heat from alcohol (14.5 alcohol). Blackberry almond and black raspberry lay side by side with bittersweet chocolate. Great with fresh made pissaladier of duck confit and broccolini with tomato sauce and mozzarella.

October 30, 2008 - Wines Tasted

Below are my notes from multiple tastings of Alpha-Omega Winery's best wines. Alpha-Omega lies in Rutherford off 29 in the former Quail Ridge location. A Face lift and more assure us that the former tenants are long forgotten. A great place to relax and enjoy a bottle on the terrace.

Alpha Omega - Syrah - 2007 - Napa Valley - $? - (Modern, Food Wine, Drink Now) - Black berry, black and red currant, black raspberry, light pepper, graham, cinnamon & sweet tea aromas flow rapidly from the glass and transition quickly. Raspberry, red berry, juniper, and sandal wood mesh on the palette with moderate tannin as well as moderate plus acidity. A good food wine that appears and opens brooding in typical Syrah fashion, but reveals a bright almost Grenache like wine later. We had roast striped bass over greens and toasted fresh made tortillas.

Alpha Omega - Proprietary Red - 2005 - $74 - Napa Valley - (Modern, Ager, Drink Now, Stand Alone) - My favorite of the AO line up of wines, and tasted multiple times from barrel to bottle. Caramel, mocha, sweet clove and florals begin the trek through beautiful red and black plum that lies in total harmony with the wood. Hits its high note in the mouth which tells of red and black berries, cherries, currant and sweet ripe round and sexy tannins...like silk and satin in the mouth. Moderate tannins and moderate but well balanced acidity. I just love this wine! A blend of 69% Cab and 31% Merlot. "I recommend not buying this so there is more for me..."

Alpha Omega - Chardonnay - 2005 - $38 - Napa Valley - (Modern, Food Wine) - Chardonnays seldom get the nod from me, but when a wine comes off this well made and balanced, I can't resist. A partially Malo-lactic(30%) and barrel fermented(70%) wine which shows restraint in winemaking. Leesy-apple, lemon peel, light almond toast, and sheer mineral which is often lacking in a Napa chardonnay. Light and airy on the entry making it a good choice with food, yet smoky and dense through the moderately high acid finish. I like this wine for it's more Burgundian framework. I'd recommend: Seared Scallops with Caramelized Shallots, Grilled Shrimp with Tarragon, Chervil & Lemon or Roast Chicken Breast on the Bone with Lemon Thyme.

September 29, 2008 - Wines Tasted

The following 12, 2005 vintage wines were decanted for 8 hours priot to serving. They were tasted double blind out of Riedel Vinum stemware, by a panel of 15 in the Caves at Pine Ridge. The group's results are in the previous blog below. My tasting notes and order of serving are as follows:

Pavilion Rouge de Ch. Margaux 2005 - $100 - (Ager, Classic, Food Wine) - Aromas of red cherry, flint, spice, red berry, coffee, herb stems, and light cassis. On the palette this wine was fleshy with black peppercorn, red berries, and light minerl laced cherry. It showed moderate-high acid, moderate low tannin and a soft plushness not obvious to a Bordeaux. A stellar wine to sample now or thru 2020.

Ch. Rausan Segla 2005 - $175 - (Ager, Classic, Food Wine) - My second time tasting this wine since April, and it was just as impressive. Aromas of plum, Earth, mint, black cherry, bittersweet chocolate, cocoa, light red florals, cassis, cedar, and light spice box. In the mouth it was full of mineral, Earth, cocoa & black cherry. It showed moderate high levels of mineral laced tannin which remained firm throughout as well as moderate high levels of acidity. Best in 2015 to 2020 and beyond.

Dominus Estate - 2005 - $130 - (Modern, Stand Alone) - First contact reveals ripe and juicy plums, red raspberry, red cherry, red licorice, green peppers, leafy greens, green beans and peppercorns. What I call two-faced: ripe and green at the same time. In the mouth it was stemmy red berries all mixed up with bitter chocolate. Tannis were moderate but bitter and acid was moderate-low.

Hourglass - 2005 - $135 - (Modern, Showpiece, Stand Alone) - Super ripe with caramel, molasses, plum/pluot, black cherries, pomegranates, and black raspberries. It follows that all up with a mouth full ofminty and herbal plum, layered black fruit, raspberry, almost sweet tannin, but high alcohol and moderatly high tannin. As one would expect from Bob Foley this was a big brash wine with clean lines. I really enjoyed this wine.

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Fortis - 2005 - $140 - (Modern, Food Wine, Ager) - I've tasted it numerous times but it still surprised me with an explosion of black cherry and cassis as well as cinnamon, brown butter, red plum, and light cedar. Past the lips it tells a similar story: vanilla, brown sugar, light cedar, latte', cherry, plum & cassis. For a Napa Cab it displays amazing acidity which remains moderatly high alongside moderate tannin and balanced levels of fruit/alcohol.

Spottswoode - 2005 - $140 - (Classic, Ager) - Even after 8 hours in the decanter this wine remained closed to the group, but it gave up: cinnamon, clove, vanilla, red berry, light Earth, and red plum in the nose. The palette was a mirror to the bouquet: black and red cherry, Earth, dirt, mineral. As far as tannin and acid I found it to be moderat-high in tannin and moderat-low in acid. I'd hold this one until 2012 at least.

Diamond Creek - Red Rock Terrace - 2005 - $175 - (Classic, Showpiece, Ager) - The first wine to show light levels of brett, but that I sometimes like alot, this was the case here. Very ripe plums, vanilla, mint, herb mix, black cherry, spicy plum, light floras, turned Earth. The mouth was even better with eucalyptus, cola, spice, red plum, light florals, red cherry, clay and Earth qualities on the lightly minty finish. I detected a very dry wine with firm tannins and moderate acid. Fine to consume now, but 8 to 10 years wil never hurt a DC Cabernet.

Schrader Cellars - Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard - 2005 - $235 - ($125 mailing list) - (Modern, Showpiece, Stand Alone) - Plums, cola, spice, and rich Cassis liquor, herbal in a cassis syrup way, tea leaf, almond, resin and nutty toast aromas are full and layered. In the mouth I used the term "lovley" to describe its red fruit, bittersweet chocolate, plum & cherry. With moderate acidity and moderate tannin this wine was soft and elegant and easy to drink. Not an ager in my mind, so drink away.

Melka Wines - Metisse - 2005 - $145 - (Modern, Showpiece) - A super ripe, almost "porty", fruit driven nose of ripe and dried Bing cherries, plums, black figs and florals. Add to that the cinnamon stick, and cassis (but no herbal nature to that), and you've got it. The mouth unloads the same fruits as the nose, with the addition of: spice and pepper, coffee and bitter chocolate. I found it very dry for such a ripe wine, a touch hot in alcohol, and moderate high in tannin. A big extracted wine which will age to and beyond 2015 but I would never risk that.

Joseph Phelps - Insignia - 2005 - $205 - (Modern, Showpiece, Ager) - One of the most closed wines in the group, but the nose did give up: ripe plum, black cherry, cinnamon, light mocha and spice. The palette was decisive with toasty caramel, brown butter, molasses, "closed" fruit, red berries, currants and red plums. (You'd think it were opened up by my notes, but it was hard to get this squeezed out. Like a lemon picked too early it just needs more bottle time to acumulate its juice.) I'd keep this locked in my cellar until 2010 at least.

Revana - 2005 - $130 - (Modern, Showpiece) - Not as stellar as the very impressive 2004. This wine opened with black fruit and florals, spice and vanilla, currants, coffee beans, and bayleaf. The mouth is filled with mint, chocolate, cherries, and obvious alcohol. A bit rough(compared to 2004s sweetness) in tannin, which was moderatly high with moderate acid. I felt the nose belied the palette. Give it a year or two to see if it softens and levels out.

Switchback Ridge - Peterson Family Vineyard - 2005 -$175 - (Modern, Showpiece) - Another Bob Foley wine that was more different than similar to the Hourglass. Very ripe and loaded with vanilla, black cherry, plum, cassis, macerated cherries, kirsch and observable alcohol. In the mouth it was warm and ripe, and very much like the nose: kirsch, plum, cassis, b. cherry, etc. Add to that some mineral and stemmyness and you've got it. The tannins were in the high level range while acid remained moderate.

September 29, 2008 - Wines Tasted

Tonight we held a blind tasting of the following 2005 vintage wines and the employee panel made the following selections (tasting notes to follow):

#1 – Fortis with 69pts
#2 – Hourglass with 66pts
#3 – Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace with 57pts
#4 – Schrader Cellars Beckstoffer with 50pts
#5 – tie – Revana & Pavilion Rouge de Ch Margaux with 47pts each
#7 – Spootswoode with 46pts
#8 – Switchback Ridge with 42pts
#9 – Ch Rauzan Segla with 40pts
#10 – Insignia with 38pts
#11 – Melka Metisse with 27pts
#12 – Dominus with 20pts

September 17, 2008 - Wines Tasted

Chateau Roc De Pourret - St. Emilion -  2005 - $17 (futures)- (Ager, Classic, Food Wine) - When I picked this wine up I had an idea of the vintage's quality, but nothing of the producer.  This wine will make you smile.  Showing great right now, but will promise much more in the next 10 to 15 years, and at this price!  I wish I had a case.  

The wine opens with surprisingly bright and focused black currant, black cherry, red plum, bitter chocolate and clay/earth undertones.  Tight to the ground, but never lacking to express its fruit.  In the mouth  it's full bodied and rich with moderate-high acid as well as moderate but chocolaty-smokey tannins.  Good length and  tight acid on the finish.  I recommend drinking this wine now if you want an unusually open wine to test the vintage but preferably from: 2010 to 2020.

August 29, 2008 Wines Tasted

For dinner this night, I cooked up some venison loin steaks, hen of the woods mushrooms, roasted squash and eggplant and finished it with a veal stock based pan sauce with concasse of tomato. I allowed Joe to pick the wine from my collection to pair with dinner. He selected the Foxen to taste head-to-head with his White Cottage. Three out of Four picked the White Cottage. I was the odd man out.
When asking, "What wine is better?", one must ask one's self, "Better alone, better example of the grape, better with food, etc...?
I felt the Foxen was the better wine overall, but the White Cottage was lower in alcohol and easier and more fun to drink. So, you tell me. What makes one wine "better" than another.

Foxen Vineyards - Tempusquet Vineyard - Syrah - Santa Maria - 2005 - $45 - (Modern, Ager) - Black plum, meat, baked beans, cedar, coconut, sawdust, candied red apple, and a close to the Earth note in the bouquet. The palette exposes: high alcohol(15.2%) typical of the region, raspberry, plum, black mission fig, cedar plank, high acidity and high tannin, block-o-chocolate, red apple skin, and Luden's Cough Drops. A big brash syrah that isn't for summer sippin...
Best from 2010 to 2013.

White Cottage - Syrah - Contra Costa - 2005 - $30 - (Modern, Food Wine, Easy Drinker) - Opens with caramel, light cafe latte, red cherry, currant, red plum, red raspberry, perfumy and floral which includes both white and red flowers. In the mouth it shows a light tartness of early picked bluberries, raspberries, cool red plums, menthol, red apple, moderatly low tannin but moderatly high acid. With light to neutral oak this wine comes off as quaffable(13.8%) and easy to like. Drink it now.

August 25, 2008 Wines Tasted

Domaine Alfred - Chamisal Vineyards - Pinot Noir - Edna Valley - 2005 - $40 - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine) - As promised. Upon opening this wine leads off with earthy mushroom, spice, sweet basil, mint, leather, red cherry and boysenberry aromas. Complex and changing quickly from forest floor components to saddle and spice cabinet. On the palette: warm and ripe(14.5% alc) the leather and bloomy-rind elements carry on, as do the garnet-hued berries and red cherry pie spices like cinnamon, clove, anise, allspice. A medium bodied wine with moderate acid, this pinot will be right at home in the hands of a Burgundy fan, as it lies squarely in their model(though with true Californian ripeness). Watching the Napa sunset we had peppered salami and great laughter as our dinner.

August 22, 2008 Wines Tasted

Bryant Family Vineyards - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2005 - $390 - (Ager, Modern, Stand Alone, Showpiece) - The 2005 Bryant was made by Philippe Melka and is clearly in his style: black cherry, cassis, smoky currant, barnyard, espresso and bitter chocolate lace the nose of this high octane Cabernet. Upon entry, the wine's earthiness diffuses to ripe and lightly minty currant and pure cassis syrup. A dense, full bodied wine which has both high alcohol and, "gladiator-like" tannin. A long firm finish with moderate acidity for such a ripe wine. A wine built for the cellar, it should age effortlessly until 2025. Believe it or not, we had grilled chicken drumsticks, summer squash with garlic, and baked potatoes with squab confit and butter.

-Mark Aubert has made the wine from the 2007 vintage, and preliminary exposure has foretold of greater things to come at Bryant Family Vineyards. Stay posted.


Ramey - Jericho Canyon - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2005 - $110 - (Classic, Ager, Stand Alone) - First whiff of the nose simmers up: black olives and very ripe currants, plums and cassis. More air releases the vanallin, spice box, and tarry tobacco qualities I'd expect more from the Oakville Bench rather than Calistoga's northern reaches. The vineyard had supplied Rudd for years with it's produce, but former Rudd winemaker David Ramey steals the show and the prestige with this almost, "classically" styled Cabernet. The mouth is full and lush, with medium full tannin and medium acidity. Fruit is a player in this game, but not the the soul of the wine. Secondary chocolate, olive, and earth also rise to be counted in. Should age well into 2020.

August 8, 2008 - Wines Tasted - Double Blind

The following wines were all fantastic examples of Napa Cabernet at the highest level and I'd love to savored each and every one over the course of hours, we had 60 minutes.
They were tasted double blind, side by side, allowed to air for 1 hour, out of Riedel-Vinum stemware. A panel of 8 all judged one wine as their favorite, the Pine Ridge Fortis.

Pine Ridge Winery - Fortis 2005 - $135 - (Modern, Showpiece, Stand Alone, Ager) - The unanimous winner with 8 out of 8 firsts. Aromas of caramel, spice, currant, black cherry, pepper, cinnamon, and light cedar. A full bodied wine with moderate high tannin. The palette revealed brown butter, black cherry, currant, milk chocolate and anise. I easily picked this out as the PRW wine and judged it (3rd on nose and 2nd on palette) 1st overall.

Caymus Vineyards - Special Select - 2005 - $150 - (Modern, Showpiece, Stand Alone) - By far my favorite in the nose: profound black cherry, black raspberry, plum; super-clean well integrated wood notes.
Pure disappointment on the palette: very ripe, juicy red berry and currant, almost sweet, with a short finish and obvious heat(but not super hot). I found it to be two faced. I thought either Staglin or Caymus. Selected it (1st on nose and 5th on palette) 5th overall.

Colgin Vineyards - IX - 2005 - $400 - (Showpiece, Modern, Stand Alone) - The "ringer" of the tasting, and my first time tasting this wine. The nose blew up with spice box, black currant, plum, and heavy cassis liquor. Well perfumed and elegant in the nose. On the palette I found it a touch minty, with plum, cassis, and resin on a long finish. Definitely the hottest wine in the group in nose and mouth. Firm in tannin and moderate in acid, I thought it could be Shafer Hillside but alas, I was not prepared for a Colgin in the mix. Selected (4th in the nose and 3rd in the mouth) 3rd overall.

Dominus Estate - 2005 - $140 - (Classic, Showpiece, Ager, Food Wine) - Easily identified in the tasting due to its "differences": caramel, spice box, Earth, granular mineral notes, herb & cocoa notes all intermingle in the glass. The palette confirms this with firm tannin, bitter-sweet chocolate, cassis, plum, and a sauvage nature purely attributed to a winemaking style which embraces the Old Guard of Bordeaux more than the fruit expressive "Moderns" that adorn store shelves all throughout Napa. Selected (2nd in nose and 4th on palette) 4th overall.

Quintessa - 2005 - $135 - (Modern, Stand Alone, Ager, Showpiece) - I surely expected this wine to be sweet and hot after one whiff of its nose: cassis, plum, and very ripe almost jammy fig and pluot aromas laid heavily over light cedar and warm chocolate. Belied by a palette which was fully dry as well as being loaded with red currant, cassis, light mint and obvious french oak notes. The finish was a bit firm, chalky and warm(not hot). Selected (5th on nose and 1st on palette) 2nd overall.

August 3, 2008 - Wines Tasted

Vincent Girardin - Corton Renardes - Grand Cru - 2005 - $75 - (Ager, Classic, Food Wine) - Wow! I underestimated this wine and paid the price. It was perfect.
'A wine recommended for my palette by a good friend. Well he's a better friend now. Norman, thank you for sharing a great memory with me!'
So well balanced that I felt out of sync drinking it. Pure red berry, currant and red plum with soft but persistent tannin and moderate to moderate high acidity. Sweet and ripe without being heavy on either the oak treatment, nor the ripeness. If ever a wine of this quality and age can be called "quaffable", this is it. So easy to drink that it became a typical, "race to the bottom of the bottle". I will remember this wine for a long time.
We had a tapas feast: Miso Marinated Beef Stir-fry; Herb Spaetzle with Parmesan; Kale with Bacon Lardons, Morels and Chantarelles.