Saturday, November 22nd, 2008

-Rombauer, Chardonnay, Carneros, 2007
Heavily oaked. Movie-theatre butter, pineapplely, rich and uctuous. One dimensional. Very stylistic, but no sense of place or nuance.

-Leo Steen, Chenin Blanc, Saini Farms, Dry Creek, 2006
Lean and precise. Lovely and very refined. Excellent Chenin.

-Quinta dos Roques, Encruzado, Dao, Portugal, 2006
Lean but also possessing richness. Nutty, toasty and herbaceous. Really unique and interesting wine.

-Waterstone, Pinot Noir, Carneros, 2007
Very light and elegant in style, but delicious.

-Paro, Pinot Noir, Russian River, 2006
Possesses a lot of zestiness and youthful exhuberance. Enjoyable but will be best in 1 year.


-San Luigi, Chianti Classico, Italy, 2005
Barnyardy and classic example of the style. Good.

-Pro Corde, Vranac, Montenegro, 2005
Interesting little wine from Montenegro. Drinks like a inexpensive Bordeaux in terms of rusticness and cedary character. Very good.

-Esca, Syrah, Napa, 2004
This was the best the wine has ever tasted. It was just awesome. 2 days later it was reduced down and tasted stewed.

Friday, November 22nd, 2008

WOW, Talk about customer generousity! This was one of those nights where everyone was just sharing great bottles. I was thrilled to be on the receiving end. We had 5 bottles open for the usual tasting, and then 10 different bottles opened by customers and graciously shared. And check out the wines, some really awesome stuff.

Donated Bottles

-Valley View, Tempranillo, Applegate Valley, Oregon, 2005
This was a shocking little wine. It wasn't particularly sophisticated, but it was thoroughly enjoyable.

-Martinelli, Pinot Noir, Bella Vigne, Russian River, 2006
Very delicate and pure. The wine is tightly wound, but not at all big. Just light-footed, soft and very pure flavors, very polished. Delicious.

-Scherrer, Pinot Noir, Russian River, 2006
I prefered this to the Martinelli. It more richness and detail. The aromatics continually changed from one sip to the next. Very impressive. Kudos to Fred Scherrer.

-Tre Viti, Pinot Noir, Central Coast, 2006
I thought this was a bit too big and flamboyent for my liking, but other customers seemed to love it. It was darker, but not saturated, and the flavors were intense and candied. A very nice effort from this unknown producer.

-August Briggs, Pinot Noir, 2001
Wow, this was interesting. This seemed much more evolved than 7 years would indicate. The wine had savory flavors and orange peel, without much left of the signature Pinot Noir youthfulness. Very interesting wine and a great example of age.

-Palmina, ?????, Santa Barbara, 1997
This was cooked, unfortunately.

-Kukkula, Lagniappe, Paso Robles, 2006
This is a ripe, high-alchohol, zesty, flamboyant red wine. It's good, but not my style.


-Torrin, Syrah, Paso Robles, 2006
Only 80 cases, produced. This was black in color and ultra-concentrated, but ultra pure. Really dense, but has tremendous potential for the opening and fleshing out.





-Blankiet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paradise Hills, Napa, 2005



This is a pricy wine. I don't want to like it, but unfortunately, I do. It shows real pedigree on a level that few producers in Napa do, and dare I say it, even a sense of terroir from the Paradise Hills vineyard. It was densely tight and almost certain not to open for another 3+ years. The wine is a contender for a "First Growth" estate if Napa ever has a classification. Watch out for this producer, while they aren't new, each year they reaffirm their status as a dependable and superlative producer.



-Saxum, Broken Stones, Paso Robles, 2006
Saxum has established a firm place in my heart as perhaps my favorite producer in Paso Robles. The 2006 Broken Stones reaffirms what I already know, and that is, don't open these wines for at least 3 years from the vintage date on the label. It was good, but just wirery and out of control. While I know it's way too young, I still enjoy trying it and assessing the situation early on. One notable difference with this vintage is that the alcohol is even higher than normal, over 16%! I'll trust that Justin Smith has an objective with this higher level and look forward to seeing how this wine evolves. As for now, it's all intense and un-harmonious.

Thursday, November 20th, 2008

Stonehouse, Chardonnay, Sonoma, 2005 (Aweful)
Stonehouse, Merlot, Mendocino, 2005 (pretty bad)
Stonehouse, Cab Sauv, North Coast, 2004 (also bad)
Woodenhead, Pinot Noir, Russian River, 2006 (good but overpriced)
Talisman, Pinot Noir, Adastra Vineyard, 2005 (good)
Tofanelli, Charbono, Napa, 2005 (interesting wine, I like it, it's just too pricey)

Hodge Podge

Mr. Riggs, Viognier, Adelaide, 2005
Modus Operandi, Vicarious Rose, Napa, 2007
Pey Marin, Pinot Noir, Marin County, 2006
Auteur, Ophelia, Oregon and California, 2007

Stag's Leap, Petite Sirah, Napa, 1997
Ornito, Brunello di Montalcino, 1999
The Other, Syrah Blend, Lodi, 2005
Valley of the Moon, Cabernet Blend, Sonoma, 2005

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008

Lopez de Heredia

This is the most important Bodega in Rioja Alta, very possibly all of Rioja, and arguably all of Spain. They have the oldest vineyards in Rioja Alta and produce wines that are made in a very historic, traditional style. They hold wines back for as long as 60 years before they release them to the market. That means you can currently purchase wines from the 40's!

In October we drank a bottle of 1981 White Rioja which was still alive and kicking. This was a great tasting and I'm honored to have the opportunity to taste these wines.

Lopez de Heredia, Vina Cubillo Crianza, 2002

3 years in oak and 3 in the bottle. It's lighter on the palate and tastes more like a Reserva than it does a Crianza. Fresh and savory character.

Lopez de Heredia, Vina Bosconia Reserva, 2000

80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 5% Graciano and Manzuelo. This has been in the barrel for 5 years so the wine looks a lot older than it really is. The palate has tremendous character because of its oxidative style, but still a lot of freshness.

Lopez de Heredia, Vina Tondonia Reserva, 1999

75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 5% Graciano and Manzuelo. In the barrel for 6 years, and in the bottle for 3. This wine drinks more like Bordeaux with structure and depth. Great bottle.

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Futo, OV Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, 2005
$225 per 3-pack sold exclusively via mailing list


Interesting bottle. Futo is the critically acclaimed project of Tom and Kyle Futo who employ Mark Aubert to make the wine and David Abreu to manage the vineyards. The property was previously known as Oakville Vineyards (I believe) and wasn't a stellar producer. The property, however, neighbors Harlan and some other major players so when the Futo's took over, they spared no expense in turning it into Napa's next Cult Cab. Good for them. We're excited. Parker and Laube both like the wines. The packaging of the Futo bottle is sexy (see below) so it will be interesting to see how that bottle is, but it's too early.

The wines are sold exclusively via their mailing list.

Much to the mailing list suprise, in the summer of 2008 they offered a "second label" called OV in homage to their vineyard sites heritage. Drinking the 2005 Futo would be considered infanticide, but we figured drinking the OV would satiate the urge. We were wrong. It only intensified the urge.

Opened for 3 hours before poured. The 2005 OV Cabernet Sauvignon was very good. At $70 per bottle, I think it was perfectly priced. The wine was BLACK in color! It was almost too dark to believe it was Cabernet. Very expressive aromas of sweet cassis and other black fruits. On the palate it was ultra-ripe, and incredibly creamy. Every single tannin molecule was oxygenated and polished into a round little bead because the wine drank like blueberries and cream. I loved the mouthfeel. The only thing I would hope for with addition age is that the fruit flavors flesh out and become more interesting. We consumed it over the course of 2 hours and it never really improved, it just stayed the same. Perhaps we only cracked the surface with this one, but it was a delicious surface. $70 is the appropriate price, anything over $100 would be overpriced.

This is a photo of Futo's flagship wine. The first release sold to the mailing list for $600 a three-pack, which, oddly came to $666.66 after shiping and tax. The only thing scarier than multiple sixes is paying that much for a first release of Napa Cab!

Saturday, November 15th, 2008

Same as yesterday, plus . . .

-Booker, The Alchemist, Paso Robles, 2006
Dominately Syrah, with 18% Cabernet. I've had the 2005 wines, and while I liked them, I'm staying pretty reserved in my buying. The wines are enjoyable, but raging high in alcohol, above 16%.
The punchy, racy character in the wine is enjoyable, but the alcohol overwhelms the fruit and purity of the wine. I would like to think that the wine will wind down in a couple of years, but that's not usually the case with alcohol.
At $40, the wine is very appropriately priced. This winery has a ton of potential and I hope that the wines become more restrained in future vintages.

Friday, November 14th, 2008

Can't remember this producer
-Cotes du Rhone Blanc
-Cotes du Rhone Red
-and another Rhone Red

-Nickel and Nickel, Zinfandel, Ponzo Vineyard, RRV, 2005
-Orin Swift, The Prisoner, Napa, 2007

-Slingshot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2005
-Mantra, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, 2005
-Waterstone, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2004
-Schulz, Red Wine, Napa, 2006
-Four Sons, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stag's Leap, 2005

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

-Geyerhof, Gruner Veltliner, Kamptal, 2007
-Szoke, Pinot Gris, HUngary, 2006
-Juris, Pinot Noir, Austria, 2006
-Plantaze, Vranac, Pro Corde, 2004
-Torley, Grande Cuvee, NV

-Chateau Gigone, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Clos du Roi, 2005
-Chateau Gigone, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Vigne du Regent, 2005
-Chateau Gigone, Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Clos du Roi, 2006

These were awesome CdPs, especially the white. I'm very excited about this producer.

-Diatom, Chardonnay, Babcock Vineyard, 2007
-Hoopes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, 2005

-Kenneth-Crawford, Syrah, Blue Fin, Santa Barbara, 2004
-Sequel, Syrah, Columbia Valley, 2004
-Huber, Dornfelder, Sta. Rita Hills, 2004
-Pride, Cabernet Franc, Spring Mountain, 1999 (Wine of the Night)
-Donati, Cabernet Sauvignon, San Benito, 2003

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

Bacio Divino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2005
Janzen, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2006
Janzen, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cloudy's, 2005
Janzen, Cabernet Sauvignon, To Kalon, 2005
Pazzo, Napa, 2006
Vagabond, Napa, 2006

Altozano, Verdejo/Sauvignon Blanc, Spain, 2007
Heartland, Viognier/Pinot Gris, Australia, 2007
Angeline, Chardonnay, RRV, 2007
ABC, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, 2007
J. Heinrich, Blaufrankisch, Austria, 2006
King, Petite Sirah, Lodi, 2006
Quinta dos Roques, Tinto Rouge, Dao, 2005
Vieux-Os, Zinfandel, Tofanelli Vineyard, 2005

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

Terry Theise
-Dom. Fouet, Cremant de Loire Rose, NV
-Chon, Muscadet, Clos de la Chapelle, 2006
-Nikolaihof, Gruner Veltliner "Hefeabzug", Austria, 2007
-Hirsch, Riesling, Zobing, Austria, 2006
-Dom. Rouge-Bleu, Dentelle, 2007
-Dom. Rouge-Bleu, Mistral, 2007

Paul Bullard
-Ancien, Chardonnay, Carneros, 2006
-Walter Hansel, Chardonnay, Russian River, Cahill Vineyard, 2006
-Clos Pepe, Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills, 2005
-Clos Pepe, Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills, 2006
-Saxon Brown, Syrah, Parmalee-Hill, 2005
-Saxon Brown, Zinfandel, Parmalee-Hill, 2006
-Cornerstone, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mtn. 2004

Cabs at Kleinheins House

-Hoopes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, 2005 (This was probably the top 2 of the night)
-Mayacamas, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt. Veeder, 2005
-Hartwell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stag's Leap, 1999
-Quintessa, Cab Blend, Napa, 2003 (Magnum)
-Quintessa, Cab Blend, Napa, 2000
-Paul Hobbs, Cab, Stagecoach Vineyard, 2004
-Paul Hobbs, Cab, To Kalon Vineyard, 2004 (Wine of Night)
-Del Dotto, Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena, 2005
-Elderton, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa, 2005

Monday, November 10th, 2008

Port

-Kopke, White port, NV
-Ramos Pinto, Adriano, Douro 2006
-Quinta dos Roques, Dao, 2005
-Prager, Petite Sirah Port, Lodi, NV
-Kopke, 10 Year Tawny, Port
-Kopke, 2000 Vintage Port
-Kopke, 1997 Colheita, Port
-Kopke, 1997 Colheita, Port
-Prager, Aria, 2003

Sunday, November 9th, 2008

Frog's Leap Vertical

-Frog's Leap, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, 1997 (Lackluster. Disjointed and not great)
-Frog's Leap, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, 1999 (Excellent. Best wine of the night.)
-Frog's Leap, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, 2002 (A little abrasive, perhaps will evolve into something similar to the '99)

November 5th, 2008

I lost track of this for the last week or so.

Ca' Stella, Pinot Grigio, Fiuli, 2007
Brezza, Chardonnay, Langhe, 2007
Max Ferd. Richter, Riesling Estate, Mosel, Germany, 2007

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008

Dinner at Arturo's in New York

-Gaja, Spress, Barolo, 1994 (So great. Not a great vintage, but still an amazing wine.)

Saturday, November 1st, 2008

Same Australian wines as yesterday.

-Scholium Project, Petite Sirah, Babylon, Napa, 2004 (Very enjoyable, but over-priced.)

Friday, October 31st, 2008

-Heartland, Stickleback White, South Aus, 2007
-Heartland, Viognier/Pinot Gris, South Aus, 2006
-Heartland, Shiraz, South Aus, 2006
-Glaetzer, Wallace, Barossa, 2006
-Heartland, Shiraz "Director's Cut", South Aus, 2005

-Seasmoke, Pinot Noir, Botella, Sta. Rita Hills, 2005 (Good but still not evolved. Don't open it for another 2 years)

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008