Tuesday, December 16th, 2008

2004 Napa Cabernet, revisited

These are 2 of my favorite wines from the 2004 vintage so we decided to revisit them to track their evolution.

Kapcsandy, Proprietary Red, State Lane Vineyard, Yountville, 2004

This was very good. It's a Parker 95 and we all agreed that it had hallmark, Parker-styled, expression. It had beautifully intergrated, spicy oak, a lot of depth, and just all around enjoyability.

Corra, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2004

WOW! I had high expectations for this wine, and it lived up to them, and possibly exceeded my expectations. Every little pulse had a different flavor nuance, and it had the trademark Celia Masyczek velvetly, supple tannin. It has very distinct purity, and possesses an un-ending length. It just sails on, and on. I'll be anxious to see Robert Parker's scores on this wine in a few weeks. I'm claiming that it receives 97-100 points. It's very near perfect. The only difference between this wine and other Parker 100's that I've had is that is lacks just an ounce or two of density. It's a little more light-footed. However, all that being said, I enjoy it just as much, regardless of Parker. It has everything that I want in Napa Cabernet. I would buy this by the case if possible . . . but of course, it isn't. Get it while you can, before the score hits.

We also drank a bottle of-

Jax, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2004

It was very good, but overshadowed by the other, far riper, Cabs.

Friday, May 16th, 2008

Evening Tasting

The theme was Languedoc-Roussillon and the wines were:
-Domaine l'Hortus, Bergerie de l'Hortus, Classique Blanc, 2006
40% Chardonnay, 25% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Viognier
-Domaine Ligneres, Las Vals Blanc, Corbieres, 2004
100% Roussanne
-Moulin de Gassac, Guilhem, Vin de Pays de l'Herault, 2006
Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignane
-Domaine l'Hortus, Bergerie de l'Hortus, Pic Saint Loup, 2005
Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre
-Domaine Ligneres, Las Vals Rouge, Cordieres, 2003
85% Mourvedre, 15% Syrah

Then Aaron opened:
-Onix, Grenache/Carignane, Priorat, 2006
Phenomenal! $14 and richly extracted, spicy black fruits, just a stunning little bottle of wine.

And Chris opened:
-D.R. Stephens, D.R. II, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2005
Excellent. At $55 it's a great value play in the luxury cab market.

I opened:
-Corra, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa, 2007

I was slightly disappointed with the Corra Sauvignon Blanc. I had such high hopes having recently tasted her 2004 Cabernet and also having just tasted a number of excellent Loire Valley Sauvignon Blancs. Corra's SB was good, but not unique in anyway. It was somewhat thin and had pleasent SB flavor profile and bright acidity, but nothing interesting about it. I really wanted to love this wine.

Friday, May 9th, 2008

Napa Cab

Friday evening turned into the usual impromptu tasting. It was a Napa Cab showdown.

Orin Swift, Papillon, Napa, 2005 $55
Realm, The Tempest, Napa, 2005 $60
Corra, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2004 $120

All the wines were amazing. While both the Papillon and The Tempest showed plenty of expression, complexity, density, and overall appeal, the Corra quickly established its dominance. Corra was also the most closed, but even still it was clearly on a different level. I had high expectations for the wine and I'm pleased to say that those expectations were exceeded. I'd recommend acquiring as much of it as you can find. The Papillon and The Tempest overdelivered for the price. Everyone loved all the wines.