Wines Tasted - March 1, 2010

 

Hauts de Pontet-Canet - Pauillac - Boudeaux - 2006 - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine, Earthy Style, Best Buy) - $26 - A deep clear garnet/black fading to a deep garnet rim. Opened with a nose of scorched earth, new shower curtain and rubber tires, not that it's a bad thing, just classic BDX qualities.  But as it opened the bluberry rush came on, as did the currant and chocolaty qualities, and once truely aired, it was ripe crushed plums.  That is what we expect from great Merlot dominated blends with Cabernet should evolve to.  I loved this, but my Modern wine drinking friends felt less intimate with it.  It had medium tannins for a young 2006, but with a ton of earth and gravel to each pound of fruit.  Great with a bit of Braised Pork Shoulder, as the tannins and moderate+ acidity were instantly cut by the mented fat, yum!  A great QPR on this.

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

 

2006 - Domaine Lignier-Michelot - Morey Saint Denis - Vielles Vignes - Red Burgundy - $50 - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine) - A medium ruby wine with a purple/ruby rim, moderate concentration and viscosity.  Upon opening this wine reaked of dark soy-sauce and plum paste, but further decanting for 30 minutes revealed a nuanced wine of classic stock: red and black cherries, soy, blackberry, turned dark Earth and cola/birch aromas.  Acidity was nearly high, tannin was moderate+, alcohol moderate and body medium and balanced.  Finish was longish but not overtly complex.  Best if allowed to rest for 4 to 8 years.

Cave Sonoma Trip - January 5, 2010

Thanks to Thomas and the Staff at The Cave Sonoma. Great Dinner!
And Thanks to Melisa & Scott J. at Cellars of Sonoma. Great wines and great visit, I love the DuNah Sangiacomo!
100 points on my scale.

 http://www.cellarsofsonoma.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=78

2006-Ch. Paradis-Cote d'Aix en Provence-red wine-(Modern)-$19 - 14.5% alc, a blend of Cabernet, Syrah and Grenache. Black/ruby color, with a nose of licorice, minerals, violets and chocolate over blackberry, sweet black cherry and plum fruits. Fully tannic and very Earthy while at the same time high in alcohol and with sweet-ripe fruit. Very much a new world style.
We had roast chicken sandwiches on freshly baked rolls with melted Cheddar.

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.

January 23, 2009 Wines Tasted

The Following 2006 Bordeaux Wines were Tasted at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco at the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux tasting:
Of all the wines tasted there, I am recounting the finest, and am including recorded short notes.

Ch. Pape Clement - Pessac-Leognan - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine) - Classic Cabernet nose of black cherry, cassis and black plum.

Ch. Angelus - Saint-Emilion - (Ager, Classic, Food Wine) - Nose opened with a very Earthy component, red and black currant, pencil shavings and pure graphite. Full bodied and plump in the mouth. It had moderate high acid and tannin that was perfectly structured. More earthy than fruity now.

Ch. Figeac - Saint-Emilion - (Modern-Classic, Ager) - Expressive ripe nose of black berry syrup, layered and saturated. Firm and rigid on the palette. High in granular textured tannin.

Ch. la Gaffeliere - Saint-Emilion - (Classic, Ager) - Begins with baking spice, bittersweet chocolate, mint and black cherry fruit. Alcohol was high, tasted hot. Very minerally with that firm graphite-like tannin.

Ch. Larcis Ducasse - Saint-Emilion - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine) - Pretty nose of dried red florals, fresh blue flowers and a medley of red fruits. The only wine I'd love to drink today without regret!

Ch. Pavie-Macquin - Saint-Emilion - (Showpiece, Modern-Classic, Stand Alone, Ager) - A superstar effort and always a favorite! Powerful nose of licorice(red and black), Ripe red raspberry, red currant and framboise. Ripe and luscious in the mouth. Firm with rigid tannins, moderate-high acid and a lengthy, balanced finish. If a wine could be judged on bouguet alone, this would be in the winner's circle.

Ch. Troplong Mondot - Saint-Emilion - (Classic, Ager) - Smoky nose with sweet caramels and vanilla. But at the same time showing a rich soil/hummus and herb mix nuance. Heavy in minerality as well as wet gravels. An earthier stlye, here.

Ch. Trottevielle - Saint-Emilion - (Classic, Ager) - Pretty nose filled with red fruits, red merry mix, red raspberry, fruit-loops and a light earthy sage quality. Wet concrete flavor on the finish.

Ch. Beauregard - Saint-Emilion - (Modern-Classic, Ager, Food Wine) - Pure Merlot nose of dark plum, black cherry and liquor. Moderate tannin and acid show the softness of the merlot also. The length however was admirably long.

Ch. Clinet - Pomerol - (Modern, Ager) - Very ripe and almost raisiny with fresh red fruit, cinnamon and spice box aromas to boot. Ripe fruit turns to firm tannin and moderat-high acid. This Clinet pushes in all directions.

Ch. Gazin - Pomerol - (Food Wine, Ager, Classic) - Lighter color and transparancy tell alot about the winemaking style here(multiple rackings). Nicely balanced albeit with a heavily spiced finish. Fruit was in harmony with acid and tannin.

Ch. Petit-Village - Pomerol - (Modern-Classic, Ager) - An excellent effort full of red plum, red currant and blueberry. Ripe and lush in the mouth. Well balanced tannin/acid/fruit. A great "drinker" as is.

Ch. Clarke - Listrac-Medoc - (Ager, Classic) - Ripe nose of red currant, minerals and sweet candy with light herb notes which contrast well.

January 23, 2009 Wines Tasted

The Following 2006 Bordeaux Wines were Tasted at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco at the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux tasting:
Of all the wines tasted there, I am recounting the finest, and am including recorded short notes.

Whites:
Ch. Carbonnieux - Pessac-Leognan - 2006 - (Food Wine, Classic) - Lemongrass, chive, cut grass nose. With lemon and lime zest, chalk and seaspray in the mouth. Balanced with high acid.

Domaine de Chevalier - Pessac-Leognan - (Food Wine, Classic) - Strong kiwi, lychee and white peach nose. Green gooseberry and white peach on the palette. Balanced with high acid.

Ch. de Fieuzal - Pessac-Leognan - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine) - Green fig, white fig, white peart and wood smoke bouquet. Heavy smoke in the mouth, creamy. Long finish.

Ch. de France - Pessac-Leognan - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine) - Led with green melon, chive, lemon and lemon grass, and heavy spice. Smoky in the mouth, spicy and almondy.

Ch. La Louviere - Pessac-Leognan - (Classic, Ager) - Heavy matchbook nose with white peach, lime and flint. Finished with heavily smoked barrel notes.

Ch. Latour-Martillac - Pessac-Loegnan - (Modern-Classic, Showpiece) - Opened with a bouquet of green tree fruits: figs, pears, peaches, limes, plums etc. Had admirable tannin levels for a blanc de Bordeaux. Finished very smoky in the mourth.

Ch. Malartic-Lagraviere - Pessac-Leognan - (Classic, Food Wine) - Light cinnamon, chive, oregano, green apple and green fig. Light handed with the wood means more fruit in the mouth: kiwi, lime, green apple. High in acid and green in every way(except it's not underripe).

Ch. Pape Clement - Pessac-Leognan - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine) - Almond, chive, green melon and green herb mix in the nose. All that, AND smoky creamy components to boot on the finish. High in acid and balanced.

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.

The following Pine Ridge Vineyards wines were tasted with winemaker - Stacy Clark and the winerie's VIPs to predict ageability as well as saleability of some fine older vintage wines. This is the order tasted and my notes from that tasting. (wines that follow were NOT part of the Pine Ridge Tasting)


Pine Ridge Vineyards - Andrus Reserve – 1986 – Napa Valley – (12.8%) – Dusty red berry, dried and fresh cherry nose. Moderate to moderate-high acidity and moderate-low tannin. Leads in with tart red cherry, then follows with dried Bing cherry, dried currant and tea in the mouth. A wine that has held up impressively and offers the drinker a wine meant for food today. Drink now.
Duck breast with dried currant sauce and wild rice.

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Andrus Reserve – 1990 – Napa Valley – (?%) – Opens with rose petals, black plum, black cherry, blueberry and currant aromas. Acid is in the mid range, while tannin remains moderate-low it retains a granular nature. The mouth relives the nose: black cherry, tea smoke, florals and a touch of Earth. Drink now.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Crimson Creek Merlot – 1996 – Napa Valley – (?%) – Aromas of light brown sugar, light brown butter, red plum, red berry, cinnamon stick and hazelnut tell of a wine holding tightly to its French Oak experience. Soundly from a warm vintage with its, chocolate-praline, plum, cedar, and mint flavors. A moderate-high tannin and moderate acid wine which shows moderate alcohol as well. Drink now through 2010.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon - Rutherford – 1998 – Napa Valley – (14.2%) Starts with aromas of red currant, red cherry, vanilla pastry cream, light blueberry, violet, dusty currant and green olives. The fruit in the mouth is very ripe and evocative of black cherry with vanilla, then green olive. With moderate acid, moderate tannin and moderate length, this is a drink now wine.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon – Stags Leap District – 1998 – Napa Valley – (14.2%) – This wine took longer than the other 98s to open, but then unleashed: plum, leather, turned Earth, black olive & black currant. On the palette it was mostly: bittersweet chocolate covered black currants, black plums and red berries. Showed moderate-high tannin as well as moderate-high acid. Drink now or hold until 2012.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon – Howell Mountain – 1998 – Napa Valley – (14.2%) – Always an impressive wine from Stacy Clark and no exception here: loaded with cola, coffee, black cherry, black berry, light clove, light cinnamon and dried cranberry. Big and brash in the mouth as Howell Mtn. should be. Moderate-high-plus tannin, moderate acid, and moderate-high alcohol here. Full of smoky plum, black currant, black cherry which carry long through the finish sailing side-by-side with the tannin. Drink now through 2015.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon – Andrus Reserve – 1998 – Napa Valley – (14.1%) – (My favorite wine in this tasting by far! Formerly the prestige cuvee for Pine Ridge and a stellar example of blending.) Coconut, red currant, red berry, dried red cherries, lightly floral, and sweet with cinnamon and vanilla aromas. A ripe and sweet entrance of red and black cherry, raspberry, framboise and a conclusion of light minerality. Moderate tannin, moderate acid and warm with moderately high alcohol. Drink now for sure, it’s peaking! Or hold until 2012.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon - Rutherford – 2003 – Napa Valley – (14.4%) – (My second favorite.) This wine opened up generously in the glass. It started closed and a touch green with olive and dill, but blew off to reveal the wine which “critics” hailed in its release: all ripe red currant, red berries, very fleshy cherry, red plum and cedar. In the mouth it was sweet and ripe with red berry mix, red cherry, light mineral and Earth, with chalky and dry tannins that lie in the moderate range. Acidity remained moderately low. Drink now through 2015.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon – Stags Leap District – 2000 – Napa Valley – (14.1%) – Smoky, dark fruited Cabernet here. All black berry, black cherry, cassis, plum, cinnamon, tea and lightly cedary. The palette reveals more of the same, but with red fruit to boot: red currant, cranberry, tart red cherry, chocolate and cedar. A moderate-high acid, moderate tannin SLD Cab. Drink now through 2012.

Tasted seperately:

Rafanelli Vineyards – Zinfandel – Dry Creek – 2006 - $? – (Classic, Food Wine) – Red berry, floral, black plum, pluot, red apple skin, cocoa and light coconut. Firm tannin & moderate acid. A restrained Bordeaux-like wine built for food and cellar. This is a very classically styled Zinfandel from a “cult” style producer. Closed and tight, this is not a “gobby, juicy, or spicy”, zin. A Cabernet lovers wine. And a great candidate for cellaring, which is not typically in Zins DNA. Hold for 2010.

Whitcraft Winery – French Camp - Lagrien – Santa Barbara County – 2003 -(14.2%) – For those of you who have never tasted or heard about – Lagrien, it’s a grape native to North East Italy(Cool-Climate!), and produces very powerful, dark, tannic, alcoholic and acidic wines. It is the picture of excess!!! If you like PETS, try it. Almost black and opaque, this wine boasts 15.8% alc. Fully floral, red plum, pears & grape like aromas mix with hot coffee, blueberry, pencil shavings and menthol flavors. High to moderately-high acid with high tannin levels and obvious heat from alcohol. Bored with Zinfandel? Try Chris Whitcraft’s Lagrien.

Woodenhead - Pinot Russian River - 2006 - $40 - (Classic, Food Wine) - Unfined & unfiltered opaque ruby garnet. A well balanced, mid-high acid, RR Pinot which flashes it's caramel, vanilla, orange peel, bubble gum, boysenberr y and rasp/red currant red cherry and spiced tea aromas vividly. Not a Power Pinot rather a graceful wine with mid heat (14.7). Ripe and sweet fruit wood in the mouth, with lingering spice and acid...drink now or hold for 5 to 7 yrs. We had pasta with fresh tomato sauce applewood smoked bacon chard and lemon thyme w EVOO!


Mayacamas Vineyards - Napa Cabernet Sauvignon - Mt. Veeder - 1997 - $? - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine) - Tight, focused and floral in the nose. Raspberry, red currant, lavander and green tea. Dusty black cherry. This wine us showing beautifully now but can still linger for 5-8 yrs


Coroson Winery - Kronos Vineyard - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2003 - $98 - (Classic, Ager, Stand Alone) - (13.8% alc.) - Black berry, red cherry, lt cassis and strong blueberry character. Light plastic aroma as well as red florals.. Mid-high tannin mid-high acid. Long mineral tannin chalky tnin that are chewey and persistant. Almost red apple skin thru finish. 1971 or 1972


Aubert - Reuling Vineyard - Sonoma Coast - Pinot Noir - 2006 - $? - (Modern, Showpiece) - My first time tasting Aubert wines and I have to say, "These are a BIG deal, so if you don't like huge wines stay away". Mushroom leads off, then: black currant, red plum, raspberry, herb tea leaf, pine and clay. Full bodied and 15.6% alc?! Tamarind, raspberry, sweet and ripe with a touch of plastic. Mid-high tannins with earthy persistence. Pleanty of fruit and heat. Raisin-like final note which lingers on the breath.

September 2, 2008 Wines Tasted

Domaine Alfred - Chamisal Vineyard - Pinot Noir - Edna Valley- 2006 - $40- (Modern, Food Wine) - Nose of bright red berry, red cherry, Earth, turned clay, hints of black cherry. Fresh and spicy in the mouth as well as being ripe and fully dry, featuring: clove, cinnamon stick, red apple skin, firm tannins, moderate acidity, moderate length. Clean and fresh through the finish, good balance for 14.5%.

Domaine Alfred - Califa - Chamisal Vineyard - Pinot Noir - Edna Valley - 2006 - $60 - (Ager, Modern) - If I had to say how this was different from the above wine, I'd sum it up by suggesting that it's just MORE...Boysenberry, red cherry, adobe clay, sweet vanilla. Ripe and sweet, yet very dry. The Califa tends towards Red cherry, red apple skin, light coffee grounds; firm tannin, moderate high acidity, great length in the finish with a slight warmth (14.5%) and a sense that much more is yet to come. I refered to it as: "Dense & rich with enclosed fruit waiting to escape".

We enjoyed canapes including, Antelope Empanadas and Filet Tenderloin Wrapped with Applewood Smoked Bacon and Black Plum Sauce.

August 17, 2008 Wines Tasted

For those of you who aren't familiar with Rochioli, there is a 6 year waiting list for their single block wines. They are some of the first to EVER plant Pinot and Chard in the Russian River and are considered by most to be THE Cult wineproducer of Sonoma. These wines age very well and are classically styled with balance and site as guiding principles.

Rochioli Vineyards - Little Hill - Pinot Noir - 2006 - $70 - (Ager, Classic, Showpiece) Just received my allocation and look at me, just can't keep my hands off! That's Rochioli. Another great wine from a great producer. Classic Russian River Pinot nose of: spiced black and red cherries. Rather simple now, but aeration leads to a more nuanced wine that is packed with potential. The mouth reveals: tightly wound and focused red cherry and shades of black cherry, moderate high acidity and moderately high levels of tannin and alcohol. Not a shy 14.5%. I recommend consumption from 2010 to 2020.
I made fresh pizzas with basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, caramelized onions and julienned peppered salami. The tomatoes were just a little too sweet for a wine with this much tannin and heat, so I left them off pizza number 2.