Martin Codax, Albarino, Rias Biaxas, Spain, 2006
Domaine Mourges du Gres, Les Galet Rouge, 2003
Domaine Mourges du Gres, Les Galet Rouge, 2006
Demetria, Syrah, Santa Ynez, 2005
Chateau St. Jean, Cinq Cepages, Sonoma, 1994 (This was stunning how young it tasted. I guessed it to be a current release Cab from Sonoma. I didn't get any age on it at all. The quality was good, but not great. It will continue to develop over the next 10 years.)
We had a bunch of other wine that was not memorable.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
Early in the day-
Cotes du Coast, Vio-Rous-Mars, CA, 2006
San Liege, Grenache, CA, 2006
Sans Liege, The Offering, CA, 2006
Sparrow Hawk, Cab Sauv, Oak Knoll, 2005
Hansen, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, 2006 (Barrel Sample)
Late Night
Pio Cesare Barolo Vertical
Just a 3 year vertical of Pio Cesare Barolo with pork loin in fig marmalade.
'96 - WOTN. Perfectly subdued, lovely floral aromas, soft edges, but still plenty of firm tannin.
'97 - Off. The bottle was just not quite right. It wasn't tainted, just dumb. It never improved.
'98 - This wine showed the potential to be as good as the '96 but still very muscular and tough. I liked it a lot but it was just slightly clumsy in its "bigness".
I think that all 3 wines will benefit from an additional 10 years, so no rush.
Cotes du Coast, Vio-Rous-Mars, CA, 2006
San Liege, Grenache, CA, 2006
Sans Liege, The Offering, CA, 2006
Sparrow Hawk, Cab Sauv, Oak Knoll, 2005
Hansen, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, 2006 (Barrel Sample)
Late Night
Pio Cesare Barolo Vertical
Just a 3 year vertical of Pio Cesare Barolo with pork loin in fig marmalade.
'96 - WOTN. Perfectly subdued, lovely floral aromas, soft edges, but still plenty of firm tannin.
'97 - Off. The bottle was just not quite right. It wasn't tainted, just dumb. It never improved.
'98 - This wine showed the potential to be as good as the '96 but still very muscular and tough. I liked it a lot but it was just slightly clumsy in its "bigness".
I think that all 3 wines will benefit from an additional 10 years, so no rush.
Friday, February 20th, 2009
-Realm, Absurd, Napa, 2005
As expected from Realm, this was a great wine. It wasn't as exciting as some of the other bottlings I've had, but still showcased the house-style. It was great.
-D.R. Stephens, Cab Sauv, Moose Vineyard, 2005
WOW! It was a stunner. Deep, rich, unctuous, beautifully complex, dark, long, just a stunning Cabernet. WS 96 and RP 90. I'll leaning much more towards the high 90s with this one. It's awesome.
-Myriad, Syrah, Las Madres, Carneros, 2006
Black fruit, creamy palate, a lot of appeal but not a ton of complexity. Awesome for the price.
-Quivet, Syrah, Las Madres, Carneros, 2006
Just a step down from the Myriad but still a great wine.
-Hudson, Syrah, Carneros, 2006
This wine is underappreciated. It's a Northern Rhone style with a lot of muscle. The opposite of Alban or SQN's reductive style. It's firm and tannic, but not at all harsh.
As expected from Realm, this was a great wine. It wasn't as exciting as some of the other bottlings I've had, but still showcased the house-style. It was great.
-D.R. Stephens, Cab Sauv, Moose Vineyard, 2005
WOW! It was a stunner. Deep, rich, unctuous, beautifully complex, dark, long, just a stunning Cabernet. WS 96 and RP 90. I'll leaning much more towards the high 90s with this one. It's awesome.
-Myriad, Syrah, Las Madres, Carneros, 2006
Black fruit, creamy palate, a lot of appeal but not a ton of complexity. Awesome for the price.
-Quivet, Syrah, Las Madres, Carneros, 2006
Just a step down from the Myriad but still a great wine.
-Hudson, Syrah, Carneros, 2006
This wine is underappreciated. It's a Northern Rhone style with a lot of muscle. The opposite of Alban or SQN's reductive style. It's firm and tannic, but not at all harsh.
Thursday, February 19th
-Valdicava, Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, 2003
This was a WS 98 pointer. While I loved it, I think that 98 points is a bit of a stretch. It seems to be in a bit of a closed phase. Hopefully it will begin to unfold in a few years.
-Fisher, Cab Sauv, Herb Lamb Vineyard, Napa, 1999
This was showing lovely at the moment. It was just appropriately aged with soft tannin and beautifully complex.
-Hill Family, Chardonnay, Napa, 2006
-Beckman, Le Bec Cuvee, Santa Ynez, 2006
-Gain Bay, Cabernet Family, Napa, 2006
-David Bruce, Petite Sirah, Central Coast, 2006
This was a WS 98 pointer. While I loved it, I think that 98 points is a bit of a stretch. It seems to be in a bit of a closed phase. Hopefully it will begin to unfold in a few years.
-Fisher, Cab Sauv, Herb Lamb Vineyard, Napa, 1999
This was showing lovely at the moment. It was just appropriately aged with soft tannin and beautifully complex.
-Hill Family, Chardonnay, Napa, 2006
-Beckman, Le Bec Cuvee, Santa Ynez, 2006
-Gain Bay, Cabernet Family, Napa, 2006
-David Bruce, Petite Sirah, Central Coast, 2006
Catching Up
Holy Cow, this thing gets hard to keep up with.
I've had plenty of great wines in the past couple of weeks. I haven't been writing them down, but I'll rattle off a few here and then keep up with this daily from now on.
-Charles Heidsieck, Champagne, NV
-David Arthur, Eleveation 1147, Napa, 2004
-Saxum, Broken Stones, Paso, 2004 (magnum)
And a bunch of others.
I've had plenty of great wines in the past couple of weeks. I haven't been writing them down, but I'll rattle off a few here and then keep up with this daily from now on.
-Charles Heidsieck, Champagne, NV
-David Arthur, Eleveation 1147, Napa, 2004
-Saxum, Broken Stones, Paso, 2004 (magnum)
And a bunch of others.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Friday, Feb 13th, 2009
Pinot Noirs
Boeckel, Pinot Noir, Alsace, 2007
Sylvain Bailly, Sancerre Rouge, France, 2006
42 Degrees, Pinot Noir, Tasmania, 2006
Waipara, Pinot Noir, NZ, 2006
Walter Hansel, Pinot Noir, The North Slope, 2006
TR Elliot, Pinot Noir, Russian River, 2006
Auteur, Pinot Noir, "Ophelia", 2007
Saxum, James Berry Vineyard, 2005 (Magnum) - Excellent.
Boeckel, Pinot Noir, Alsace, 2007
Sylvain Bailly, Sancerre Rouge, France, 2006
42 Degrees, Pinot Noir, Tasmania, 2006
Waipara, Pinot Noir, NZ, 2006
Walter Hansel, Pinot Noir, The North Slope, 2006
TR Elliot, Pinot Noir, Russian River, 2006
Auteur, Pinot Noir, "Ophelia", 2007
Saxum, James Berry Vineyard, 2005 (Magnum) - Excellent.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009
The Day I Engaged Gina C.
What in the world would one drink on such a momentous occasion? With all the other planning, should the bottle even be considered? I'd hate for her to think that any amount of energy or brain power went to anything other than her on this day, especially to an inanimate obsession of mine that already distracts too much of my attention that should be devoted to her.
But alas, I'm conflicted; we'll want to celebrate, won't we? We can't celebrate with sparkling water. I should chill something with bubbles just in case. I won't open it unless she asks me to. I'm doing this for her.
So now, what do we chill? The most expensive bottle in the store will do just fine. Incidentally (or perhaps not so), it's also one of my favorite Grower-Champagne's each year, in years they make it that is.
Jean Milan, "Terres de Noel", Blanc de Blancs, Grand Cru, 2002
Popped the question, popped the cork, it couldn't have been more appropriate. It paired perfectly with the vegetable/jambalaya, spicy, soupy dish. It played a role, but was completely in the background and didn't conflict with any of the circumstances of the evening. It will go down as being a wine that we always think fondly of, and stock heavily for special occasions.
2 days later Gina asked, "What kind of Champagne did we drink on Wednesday? That was pretty good." I responded, "That one that comes in the fancy wrapper." "Oh yeah. That's a pretty bottle" she noted. That's all the validation I needed.
What in the world would one drink on such a momentous occasion? With all the other planning, should the bottle even be considered? I'd hate for her to think that any amount of energy or brain power went to anything other than her on this day, especially to an inanimate obsession of mine that already distracts too much of my attention that should be devoted to her.
But alas, I'm conflicted; we'll want to celebrate, won't we? We can't celebrate with sparkling water. I should chill something with bubbles just in case. I won't open it unless she asks me to. I'm doing this for her.
So now, what do we chill? The most expensive bottle in the store will do just fine. Incidentally (or perhaps not so), it's also one of my favorite Grower-Champagne's each year, in years they make it that is.
Jean Milan, "Terres de Noel", Blanc de Blancs, Grand Cru, 2002
Popped the question, popped the cork, it couldn't have been more appropriate. It paired perfectly with the vegetable/jambalaya, spicy, soupy dish. It played a role, but was completely in the background and didn't conflict with any of the circumstances of the evening. It will go down as being a wine that we always think fondly of, and stock heavily for special occasions.
2 days later Gina asked, "What kind of Champagne did we drink on Wednesday? That was pretty good." I responded, "That one that comes in the fancy wrapper." "Oh yeah. That's a pretty bottle" she noted. That's all the validation I needed.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9th, 2009
Dinner at the Napa Rose
-Canard Duchene, Brut, Champagne, NV
-Some Trocken Riesling
-Nora, Albarino, Rias Biasxas, Spain, 2007
-David Arthur, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa, 2007
-Domaine Tempier, Blanc, Bandol, France, 2006 (This was the first "good" wine of the night. The others were fine, but not worth mentioning)
-William Seylem, Pinot Noir, Russian River, 2007 (I liked this as well. Not great, but fine for a appellation designate wine)
-Ambullneo, Mastiff Cuvee, 2006
-Chateau Puy Arnuad, Cotes de Castillon, Bordeaux, France, 2005
-Stanton, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, 2005 (This was good, but big and hugely fruity, not as much concentration as many other wines in that price point, but also not as much structure or elegance, it's just big and fruity . . . but enjoyable. At $35 a glass????????)
-Inniskillin, Cabernet France, Icewine, Canada, (Vintage ?) (Excellent)
-Chateau d'Yquem, Sauternes, 2003 (Always a highlight. However the 2003 is just too young and probably will never be as good as the 2001. Still a light light and closed at this point in its life)
-Canard Duchene, Brut, Champagne, NV
-Some Trocken Riesling
-Nora, Albarino, Rias Biasxas, Spain, 2007
-David Arthur, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa, 2007
-Domaine Tempier, Blanc, Bandol, France, 2006 (This was the first "good" wine of the night. The others were fine, but not worth mentioning)
-William Seylem, Pinot Noir, Russian River, 2007 (I liked this as well. Not great, but fine for a appellation designate wine)
-Ambullneo, Mastiff Cuvee, 2006
-Chateau Puy Arnuad, Cotes de Castillon, Bordeaux, France, 2005
-Stanton, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, 2005 (This was good, but big and hugely fruity, not as much concentration as many other wines in that price point, but also not as much structure or elegance, it's just big and fruity . . . but enjoyable. At $35 a glass????????)
-Inniskillin, Cabernet France, Icewine, Canada, (Vintage ?) (Excellent)
-Chateau d'Yquem, Sauternes, 2003 (Always a highlight. However the 2003 is just too young and probably will never be as good as the 2001. Still a light light and closed at this point in its life)
Friday, February 6th, 2009
I'll update this later, but for now
David Arthur, Elevation 1147, Napa, 2004
David Arthur, Elevation 1147, Napa, 2004
Friday, February 6, 2009
Thursday, February 5th, 2009
WOW! This event was called Cults and Classics. It was mostly Cults, and mostly 100 point wines.
Chateau Margaux, 1982 - So pretty. This bottle was drinking in its prime right now. It just had light, soft tannin, pretty red fruit, it was awesome in a very elegant way. This was the WOTN for many.
Chateau Lafite Rothschild, 1986 (Magnum)- Weak follow up to the '82 Margaux. This was more rustic and cedary, less fruit.
Chapoutier Cote Rotie la Moedoree, 1991 - This was thin and light with a little brett going on. Not great.
Guigal, La Turque, Cote Rotie, 1995 - This was awesome. It is super dense, viscous and rich without being overripe. It's a great wine.
Gaja, Sori San Lorenzo, 2001 - Obviously still very young. It was pretty amazing. The tannin wasn't harsh so it was still enjoyable in it's youth. It has a lot more acidity than the previous wines and is so polished that it's hard to claim any flaws. This was a near perfect wine.
Kutch, Pinot Noir, Kanzler Vineyard, 2007 - - Good. I'll need more experience with this.
Kutch, Pinot Noir, (Not sure which vineyard), 2007 - Also good.
Sine Qua Non, Papa, Syrah, 2003 - This was my WOTN. Perhaps because I donated it, or perhaps I wanted to love it, but it simply was the finest California Syrah I've ever had. Other people claimed it to be their favorite as well. Coffee, cedar, red fruit, black fruit, density, plushness, finesse, candied lavender. Indescribable.
Sine Qua Non, Into the Dark Grenache, 2004 - Ultra ripe, Still showing tons of oak. Almost not drinkable . . . yet. I'd give this 3 years. It's super opulent.
Sine Qua Non, Ode to E Grenache, 2004 - Very good, but again, Ultra ripe. The Grenache (as opposed to the Syrah) shows more juiciness and candied character, whereas the Syrah has the meatiness and structure to balance out the ripeness. Still an amazing wine though.
Sine Qua Non, Ode to E Syrah, 2004 - Loved it. Only outdone by the Papa.
Sine Qua Non, Atlantis Fe Syrah, 2005 - This was good, but I can't remember details about it.
Quilceda Creek, Cab Sauv, Washington, 2002 - Awesome, awesome Cab. Super polished and much more refined than the Colgins.
Quilceda Creek, Cab Sauv, Washington, 2003- Only outdone by the 2002.
Quilceda Creek, Cab Sauv, Washington, 2005 - This was still showing a lot of oak, but it was a great wine.
Colgin, Cab Sauv, Cariad, Napa, 2001 - Well, this is my first really experience with Colgin. It's massive, ultra ripe, heavily oaked, but stunningly good. Really a near-perfect wine.
Colgin, Cab Sauv, Cariad, Napa, 2002 - This is the quintessential Colgin. It has all the massiveness of the other wines, but just perfectly tailored, perfectly balanced, and everything in the right place. This is possible the best Napa Cab of the style that I've tasted.
Colgin, Cab Sauv, Cariad, Napa, 2003 - Also very good.
Colgin, Cab Sauv, Cariad, Napa, 2004 - This vintage has a lot of charm. It was my second favorite.
Colgin, Cab Sauv, Cariad, Napa, 2005 - Are we done yet?
Shafer, Cab Sauv, Hillside Select, 2002 (Magnum) - This was surprisingly a little out of balance. It was showing a bit too much oak and a little heat. Of course, it's in the context of all these other great wines, so perhaps it'd be the highlight of any other Thursday night.
Hundred Acre, Cab Sauv, Kayli Morgan, 2001 - This was really, really impressive. Late in the night, but stood out as being awesome.
Hundred Acre, Cab Sauv, Kayli Morgan, 2002 - Corked. Don't you hate when that happens to your $300 bottle?
Modus Operandi, Cab Sauv, Napa, 2006 - This was just out for people to have at will. It was good.
Maybach, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, 2005 - We drank this after the tasting, during dinner. Surprisingly, it was one of the best Cabs of the night. Right up there with any of the Colgins or QCs, perhaps even better!
Abreu, Cabernet Sauvignon, Madrona Ranch, 1989 - This wine was just tired. It wasn't very good. We left almost the whole bottle.
Covenant, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2004 - Very good showing.
All in all, this was a stellar event. I was pretty drunk in the end. I'm not going to lie to you.
Chateau Margaux, 1982 - So pretty. This bottle was drinking in its prime right now. It just had light, soft tannin, pretty red fruit, it was awesome in a very elegant way. This was the WOTN for many.
Chateau Lafite Rothschild, 1986 (Magnum)- Weak follow up to the '82 Margaux. This was more rustic and cedary, less fruit.
Chapoutier Cote Rotie la Moedoree, 1991 - This was thin and light with a little brett going on. Not great.
Guigal, La Turque, Cote Rotie, 1995 - This was awesome. It is super dense, viscous and rich without being overripe. It's a great wine.
Gaja, Sori San Lorenzo, 2001 - Obviously still very young. It was pretty amazing. The tannin wasn't harsh so it was still enjoyable in it's youth. It has a lot more acidity than the previous wines and is so polished that it's hard to claim any flaws. This was a near perfect wine.
Kutch, Pinot Noir, Kanzler Vineyard, 2007 - - Good. I'll need more experience with this.
Kutch, Pinot Noir, (Not sure which vineyard), 2007 - Also good.
Sine Qua Non, Papa, Syrah, 2003 - This was my WOTN. Perhaps because I donated it, or perhaps I wanted to love it, but it simply was the finest California Syrah I've ever had. Other people claimed it to be their favorite as well. Coffee, cedar, red fruit, black fruit, density, plushness, finesse, candied lavender. Indescribable.
Sine Qua Non, Into the Dark Grenache, 2004 - Ultra ripe, Still showing tons of oak. Almost not drinkable . . . yet. I'd give this 3 years. It's super opulent.
Sine Qua Non, Ode to E Grenache, 2004 - Very good, but again, Ultra ripe. The Grenache (as opposed to the Syrah) shows more juiciness and candied character, whereas the Syrah has the meatiness and structure to balance out the ripeness. Still an amazing wine though.
Sine Qua Non, Ode to E Syrah, 2004 - Loved it. Only outdone by the Papa.
Sine Qua Non, Atlantis Fe Syrah, 2005 - This was good, but I can't remember details about it.
Quilceda Creek, Cab Sauv, Washington, 2002 - Awesome, awesome Cab. Super polished and much more refined than the Colgins.
Quilceda Creek, Cab Sauv, Washington, 2003- Only outdone by the 2002.
Quilceda Creek, Cab Sauv, Washington, 2005 - This was still showing a lot of oak, but it was a great wine.
Colgin, Cab Sauv, Cariad, Napa, 2001 - Well, this is my first really experience with Colgin. It's massive, ultra ripe, heavily oaked, but stunningly good. Really a near-perfect wine.
Colgin, Cab Sauv, Cariad, Napa, 2002 - This is the quintessential Colgin. It has all the massiveness of the other wines, but just perfectly tailored, perfectly balanced, and everything in the right place. This is possible the best Napa Cab of the style that I've tasted.
Colgin, Cab Sauv, Cariad, Napa, 2003 - Also very good.
Colgin, Cab Sauv, Cariad, Napa, 2004 - This vintage has a lot of charm. It was my second favorite.
Colgin, Cab Sauv, Cariad, Napa, 2005 - Are we done yet?
Shafer, Cab Sauv, Hillside Select, 2002 (Magnum) - This was surprisingly a little out of balance. It was showing a bit too much oak and a little heat. Of course, it's in the context of all these other great wines, so perhaps it'd be the highlight of any other Thursday night.
Hundred Acre, Cab Sauv, Kayli Morgan, 2001 - This was really, really impressive. Late in the night, but stood out as being awesome.
Hundred Acre, Cab Sauv, Kayli Morgan, 2002 - Corked. Don't you hate when that happens to your $300 bottle?
Modus Operandi, Cab Sauv, Napa, 2006 - This was just out for people to have at will. It was good.
Maybach, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, 2005 - We drank this after the tasting, during dinner. Surprisingly, it was one of the best Cabs of the night. Right up there with any of the Colgins or QCs, perhaps even better!
Abreu, Cabernet Sauvignon, Madrona Ranch, 1989 - This wine was just tired. It wasn't very good. We left almost the whole bottle.
Covenant, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2004 - Very good showing.
All in all, this was a stellar event. I was pretty drunk in the end. I'm not going to lie to you.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Monday, February 2nd, 2009
I drank a lot of wine this night, but didn't take notes on anything and the night was such a flurry that I don't really even remember much of the wine. All it was very enjoyable though.
-Rivers Marie, Pinot Noir, Summa Vineyard, 2004
-Abreu, Cabernet Sauvignon, Madrona Ranch, 1989
-Kosta Browne, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2006
-Ambullneo, Mastiff, 2003
-Amon Ra, Shiraz, Barossa, 2007
-White Rock, Claret, Napa, 1999
-Xtant, Red, Napa, 200?
-Justin, Justification, Paso Robles, 2006
-Bacio Divino, Cabernet Blend, To Kalon Vineyard, 1999
The highlights were the Amon Ra and the White Rock
-Rivers Marie, Pinot Noir, Summa Vineyard, 2004
-Abreu, Cabernet Sauvignon, Madrona Ranch, 1989
-Kosta Browne, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2006
-Ambullneo, Mastiff, 2003
-Amon Ra, Shiraz, Barossa, 2007
-White Rock, Claret, Napa, 1999
-Xtant, Red, Napa, 200?
-Justin, Justification, Paso Robles, 2006
-Bacio Divino, Cabernet Blend, To Kalon Vineyard, 1999
The highlights were the Amon Ra and the White Rock
Saturday, January 31st, 2009
Same wines as yesterday, plus . . .
Jadot, Gevrey Chambertin "Le Petit Somthing", 1er Cru, France, 2002
Brewer Clifton, Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills, 2007
Jadot, Gevrey Chambertin "Le Petit Somthing", 1er Cru, France, 2002
Brewer Clifton, Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills, 2007
Friday, January 30th, 2009
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio, Fruili, Italy, 2007
Laurent Miquel, Viognier, Nord Sun, France, 2007
Drei Dona, Sangiovese, Italy, 2006
Las Rocas, Garnacha, Spain, 2006
Grand Bois, Cuvee Tres Soueres, Cotes du Rhone Villages, 2007
Markham, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2003
Dalle Valle, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2003
Laurent Miquel, Viognier, Nord Sun, France, 2007
Drei Dona, Sangiovese, Italy, 2006
Las Rocas, Garnacha, Spain, 2006
Grand Bois, Cuvee Tres Soueres, Cotes du Rhone Villages, 2007
Markham, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2003
Dalle Valle, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2003
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