A special side by side of: 2006 Ornellaia, 2005 Ch. Rauzan Segla and 2005 Pine Ridge Fortis Cabernet.
About Me
- Eric C. Maczko
- I've been part of Pine Ridge Winery's Culinary Staff for 7 years. In 2003 I took over the Executive Chef Position and have been pairing food and wine together in a creative environment every day since. I am a Certified Sommelier through The Court of Master Sommeliers and hope to gain my Advanced in the coming year. My love of wine, food and literature are the fuel behind this little site and sharing my experience is my gift. Each year I take a little time to craft my own wine, so as to humble myself. It is a pleasure to sample the hard work and dedication of these so many talented wine professionals.
Showing posts with label Fortis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fortis. Show all posts
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Wines Tastes October 21, 2009
2001 Onyx – Threw major sediment. Color was a transparent medium garnet with a medium red rim and a thick pink band leading to a clear meniscus.
The nose was of fresh red cherry, red plum, black plum, vanilla, cedar, ground cinnamon, clove and dried anise.
The palette revealed the immediate fleshyness of the plum and cherry fruit, while air allows the development of dried sage, black pepper and bresola as well as dried violets and dried bluberries to bolster the finish.
The wine has medium acidity, medium tannin and medium plus alcohol.
2003 Fortis – Threw major sediment. Color was deep garnet/black fading to a medium garnet rim with a thin clear meniscus.
Aromas of coconut, vanilla, cedar shingles, black plum, cassis and very ripe red and black cherry led an aromatic charge on my senses.
While the palette showcased spicy black plum, cassis, red cherry and kirsch liquor with cedar, cocoa, bakers chocolate, cinnamon bark and pink peppercorn.
The 2003 Fortis had medium acidity, medium tannin and medium plus to high alcohol.
2004 Fortis – Threw nearly no sediment at this point, but expect it in the future. Opaque Garnet/black color fades to a medium garnet rim with a pink meniscus.
Aromas of pure cassis, blackberry, black cherry, black plum and Hoisin sauce were driven like a 911 Turbo across my senses!
Just unforgettable in its intensity!! Full of sweet cocoa, vanilla and fruit extract along with the aforementioned fruits.
Tannin was moderate, moderate acid and moderate plus alcohol
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, September 29, 2008
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
#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
Friday, August 8, 2008
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.
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.
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