Saturday, December 20th, 2008

Same as yesterday, plus-

Hanzell, Pinot Noir, Sonoma, 1989
This was pretty amazing. I had it a few weeks ago as well, and it's just so pretty but with bright red fruit and a ton of really interesting secondary characteristics. Age your Hanzell!!!!

DROPPED THE BALL!

I've obviously fallen behind with keeping this updated. I've had some great wines in the past few weeks and I'll just list them here from memory, but not according to date or any sort of grouping.

Friday Night at Napa Rose
-Far Niente, Chardonnay, Napa, 2006
-William Seylem, Pinot Noir, Russian River, 2006
-Faust, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2005
-Plumpjack, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, 2005
The Plumpjack completely outclasses the field this night. It was great, and really sort of surprising.

A Friendly Thanksgiving
-Hanzell, Chardonnay, Sonoma, 1985
-Hanzell, Chardonnay, Sonoma, 1997
-Hanzell, Pinot Noir, Sonoma, 1989
-Hanzell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, 1981
All these wines were amazingly good. The '85 Chard wasn't over the hill, it was just lackluster. The '97 Chard was beautiful, but still 10 years too young. The '89 Pinot was my favorite wine of the night, and perfectly aged. The '81 Cab was also very good. It's a contender for the best '81 Napa I've had yet, along with the Heitz Martha's and Grgich.

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

Benjamin Going Away

-Riesling, Spatlase, Germany, 1995 (Don't know the producer, but this was awesome!)
-Rochioli, Chardonnay, Russian River, 2006 (Good but not unique)
-Hanzell, Pinot Noir, Sonoma, 1996 (Excellent, but still 10 years too young)
-Vega Sicilia, Unico, Ribera del Duero, 1994 (Insane! Near perfect. It was so good, but not fully developed. I'd suggest that this will be perfect in 10-20 more years. I hope that I can drink it again.)
-Silver Oak, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 1995 (Good, but not great or particularly exciting. Just good, dependable, classy Cabernet)