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Tasting Notes Blog - Printer-Friendly Version
- May, 2008
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Wednesday, May 28, 2008 WT052808-01. 07 SANTA RITA RESERVA CASABLANCA VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC - (CHILE) Pungent, even explosive. Sweet citrus: tangelo. Also pear, apple, grass./ Rich, almost sweet citrus taste. No oak apparent. A plump delight. Richer than the Santa Rita 120 sauvignon. Different food apps. 16.4. WT052808-02. 06 PAVILION NAPA VALLEY CHARDONNAY - (U.S.) It was Yountville appellation last vintage. Still seems to represent southern Napa Valley chardonnay quite nicely. Cool but not Carneros citrusy. Light-handed on the oak./ Full flavored, full bodied. Good framework. A dinner wine for sure. An inspired value, this will have many fans. 15.8. WT052808-03. 06 COLUMBIA CREST VINEYARD 10 COLUMBIA VALLEY WHITE - (U.S.) Label says chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and semillon, but if there isn’t something more aromatic in here, I’d be surprised. Fuji apple, nice, cool green fruits, and flowers./ Off dry. Flavorful. Quite well balanced, if a bit spiritous. 15.6. WT052808-04. 07 COLUMBIA CREST VINEYARD 10 COLUMBIA VALLEY ROSE - (U.S.) Sweet strawberry aroma suggests grenache. But the website says syrah and viognier! I’m perplexed. Very alluring nose though./ The palate is a bit of a letdown, not nearly so fruity. Rather thick; not very refreshing. Much prefer the Ste. Michelle Nellie’s. 14.5. WT052808-05. 07 SOLTERRA VALLE CENTRAL ROSE - (CHILE) Smells like it’s based on Bordeaux varieties. More the currants, less the berries. Sweet and attractive./ Refreshing, flavorful, and well balanced too. Liked by the group. 15.9. WT052808-06. 03 BRAVANTE HOWELL MOUNTAIN CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (U.S.) Wow! Very black for 03. Nothing meek or forward, like some 03 cabernets. Full, and loaded with dark fruit and full oak toast and mocha complement. Howell Mountain large and powerful, but not overly ripe; maybe 03 saves the day in that respect./ Yes, now some 03 openness begins to show, and that’s a plus. The tannins are not too tough. Good now with hearty fare. 17.2+. WT052808-07. 05 MONTEVINA TERRA D’ORO AMADOR ZINFANDEL - (U.S.) Whoa! Lush but also exquisitely framed, firmly laced. Perfect form, really. And the sweet berry fruit and oak in such fine harmony./ Yes, harmony prevails. Clear and elegant fruit statement with Amador darkness and ripeness. Better composed than the nice 04–less ripe and powerful. But not 05 contrite at all. Very popular with the group. 16.9. WT052808-08. 06 KREUZNACHER KRONENBERG RIESLING SPATLESE, ST. ANTONIUS - (GERMANY) Good Kronenberg earthiness. Plus lovely peach and loquat aromas. Plenty of flair, grip, and acidity too–especially for an 06./ Full apricot and citrus flavors. Perfect degree of plumpness and mild sweetness for spatlese. Really great acidity and extract for 06. Tremendous generosity. Popular with the group. 16.2. WT052808-09. 06 KREUZNACHER KRONENBERG RIESLING AUSLESE, ST. ANTONIUS - (GERMANY) Great botrytis, peach, apricot, even pear aromas. And Kronenberg terroir./ More apricot and botrytis on the palate. Good auslese richness, concentration. The palate is more revealing than the nose but still wrapped in baby fat. Time will bring additional rewards. 16.6+. WT052808-10. GUASTI ELENA CALIFORNIA ANGELICA - (FORTIFIED) Just what it should be. A frank and honest, sweet, grapey, honeyed expression of mission. Good strength to balance the sweetness. A blast from the past, and a California classic. 16.0.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - This tasting was devoted to refining the selections for the Special Post Blue Highways . Click on The Shop above, then click on Specials on the sidebar.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 WT051408-01. 07 STARBOROUGH MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC - (NEW ZEALAND) This one has me coming and going. It’s at once plump and crisp. Surely racy. Grass, lime, grapefruit, tropics, bell pepper./ Again, you get the tropical and stone fruit ripeness and the citrus fruit briskness. Facets smooth, and facets chewy. Good acidity. A good value; pleasant all the way. 16.2. WT051408-02. 06 PFALZ DRY RIESLING, PFEFFINGEN - (GERMANY) 06 soft peach and other stone fruit riesling aromas. Good combo of Pfalz power and of Pfeffingen elegance./ The palate is zesty, not soft, though. Nice citrus peels twists, especially lime and orange. Very good acidity indeed for 06. And dry but not austere. 16.4. WT051408-03. 07 MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER ESTATE RIESLING, ST. URBANS-HOF - (GERMANY) Wow! Lovely 07 race, juice, tingle. I’m lovin’ these 07! Sweetness and fullness that define the house style. Green apple Mosel crispness./ Rich and full indeed. Likely spatlese must weight. Lush, broad, full bodied. Good acid and extract too. The best vintage of this I’ve tasted. Well liked by the group. 16.8. WT051408-04. 07 RUDESHEIMER DRACHENSTEIN RIESLING DRAGONSTONE, JOSEPH LEITZ - (GERMANY) Oh! Lithe and fine. Great Rheingau class. Golden citrus tones, fine minerality, race. This really shows finesse./ Good measure of Leitz sweetness countered by the acidity. All aspects of the wine speak of balance and finesse. Great 07 juiciness. Well liked by the group. 17.0. WT051408-05. 07 CASTLE ROCK WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR - (U.S.) Drenched with cool climate pinot character; Oregon, for sure. Might even convince me it’s a cool-vintage burgundy. Cherry and char. Bright acidity evident even on the nose./ Acidity amplified on the palate. Leather note. Still youthfully contrite.15.3+. WT051408-06. 06 PARKER STATION CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIR - (U.S.) Well, this is a completely different animal. Open, sweet, powerful, jellied. Cherry and raspberry aromas and a hint of ripe tomato. Some wood./ Strong, open-knit. Certainly the product of a warmer climate. Can’t complain about the generosity, the boldness. Likely to be popular with the right choice of food. 15.1. WT051408-07. 06 CROSSPOINT MONTEREY PINOT NOIR - (U.S.) Well balanced presentation of crispness and fullness. Rich and sweet fruited for cool Monterey. A kola nut aroma points to fruit ripeness. More finesse and ambition than the above pair of pinots. A pleasant combo of California pinot styles, new and traditional./ Yes, sweet, rich, and full for Monterey pinot. But no shortage of great Monterey acidity. Ambitious
indeed: tries to fill both roles of richness and raciness. More expensive but more upscale than the above pair. 16.0+. WT051408-08. 07 BODEGA NORTON MENDOZA MALBEC - (ARGENTINA) Wow! Is this full of sweet, ripe, strong, black fruited malbec of New World style and allure!/ Sweet and strong indeed. Open hearted, nothing hidden, all out front to see. Really no point here trying to delve depths, seek complexities, or save for future augmentation. It’s right here, right now. 15.5. WT051408-09. 06 HAHN ESTATES MONTEREY MERLOT - (U.S.) Rich and oaky. Very dark, heady, smoky, leathery, jammy berry nose./ The spicy oak is alluring. Spicy, open knit finish. Liked by the group. 15.3. WT051408-10. 06 HAHN ESTATES CENTRAL COAST CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (U.S.) Blacker fruit. This has more fruit substance. Cassis and blackberry cabernet features plus attractive oak savors./ More richness and more tannin too. Large and full. Well managed. Long finish. Delivers. 16.1. WT051408-11. 01 PEZZI KING SUSIE’S RESERVE SONOMA MERLOT - (U.S.) Shows the characteristics of this great vintage, including its keeping qualities. Rich, plummy, savory, fruity, leathery. At a perfect stage of 01 merlot development./ Rich, well developed bouquet and savor with attractive wood and brett touches. And, of course, that great 01 acidity. Nice now. Well liked by the group. 16.4. WT051408-12. 06 CYCLES GLADIATOR CENTRAL COAST SYRAH - (U.S.) Sweet yet racy red and black fruits with sweet oak spices./ Lush, forward black fruits, bitters, some game and leather. Good example of California syrah. 15.4. WT051408-13. 06 JIP JIP ROCKS LIMESTONE COAST SHIRAZ - (AUSTRALIA) Dark, strong, ripe, heady, direct. Lots of black fruit intensity and decidedly minty overtones./ The palate is pretty sweet-fruited too, and it repeats the mint-eucalyptus sub-theme. Liked by the group. 15.6+. WT051408-14. 06 SOBON ESTATE OLD VINES AMADOR ZINFANDEL - (U.S.) Sweet, sassy, and jammy. The blackness of the fruit and the power speak of Amador./ And the dryness and pepperiness too. Nice blueberry touch. Very zin. Yes, a real and powerful old vines Amador zin that’s a little contracted now because of youth, but I expect it will sweeten up and fill out more over the coming months. 16.2+. WT051408-15. 06 ROSENBLUM PASO ROBLES ZINFANDEL - (U.S.) Ripe as always, and as it should be from Paso. But this is also floral. The richness of Paso and more finesse than usual too. And the oak is better managed than in some past vintages./ Indeed, it’s rich, warm, spicy, well balanced, and completely fulfilling. Chocolate and mocha extras. 16.3+.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 WT050708-01. 07 RIBATEJANO ARINTO, QUINTA DA ALORNA - (PORTUGAL) Oh, this is as fine as the 06 only fresher. But not premature. It’s fully formed. Aromas of citrus, quince, apple, and kiwi. Bright, zesty, tangy, penetrating, and ‘brittle’ yellow berries on a stony base./ Lovely preserved lemon and mineral savors. Very, very smooth. Light glycerol countered by good acid palate etching. Just fabulous textural play. 16.7. WT050708-02. 07 CASA SILVA RESERVA COLCHAGUA SAUVIGNON BLANC - (CHILE) Bright and lemony. Some grassiness, herbalness, and a clean vinosity./ Solid, a little heavy and earthy. Not a particularly refreshing style; better with food. 14.5. WT050708-03. 06 KING ESTATE SIGNATURE COLLECTION OREGON PINOT GRIS - (U.S.) Sweet, lightly floral. Citrus blossoms, especially lemon./ Ripe apple and cream flavors. Plump, smooth and full. But not as well padded as usual, so the alcohol stands out some. Good acidity. 15.3. WT050708-04. 06 VOUVRAY CUVEE TRADITION, FRANCOIS PINON - (FRANCE LOIRE) Cuvee Tradition is the sec tendre. Pungent pippin apple and peel. And melons galore. Loquat too./ Rich and lasting spiced apple and honey flavors. Good balance of sec tendre light sweetness with racy acidity. Good 06 extract. 16.0+. WT050708-05. 06 CHABLIS LES PARGUES PREMIERE CUVEE SELECTION MASSALE, DOMAINE SERVIN - (FRANCE BURGUNDY) Fabulous textural play in the nostrils. Smell the terroir; feel the terroir. Seems to have a light touch of oak that I don’t recall before. Maybe it’s just ripe, intense chardonnay fruit. Great fruit, mainly apple. Plus calcaire./ Oh, this is full and intense. Premier Cru full. Premier Cru beauty and significance.
Sense of place. Great transparency and depth: you can smell and taste right through the fruit, right down to the terroir. 17.1+. WT050708-06. 06 ROBERT MONDAVI SOLAIRE SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS CHARDONNAY - (U.S.) Traditional California chardonnay with plenty of oak and plenty of fruit to match. Stone fruits, green pear, lemon drop, toast, cream./ Lots of creamy malolactic elements, plus the oak and fruit amplified. The bottom line is that it’s complex and generous. Holds nothing back. 15.7. WT050708-07. 06 WILD OAK SONOMA CHARDONNAY - (U.S.) Good sweet oak. It mellows the wine. No lack of brawn here though, or intensity. Apple, melon, and nuts./ Lots of vanilla. And malo creaminess. Plenty of body and vigor. Finishes sweet and heady. 15.0. WT050708-08. 06 KING ESTATE NEXT OREGON PINOT NOIR - (U.S.) Wood, black cherry, tea, and tar. Great acidity apparent, even on the nose./ Sweet and fully pinot laden flavors and feels. Great acidity confirmed. A fine dinner wine. Wacky label. A bec fin. 16.5. WT050708-09. 05 CHATEAU BELLEVUE VIEILLES VIGNES ET FUTS DE CHENE, COTES DE CASTILLON - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Sweet oak, grilled herbs, tea, tobacco, spices, black cherry, cassis. Deep, rich, and rangy, with 05 style, elegance./ Great oak spiciness matched by intense fruit. Fine, chewy tannin. One of a cadre of Castillons going upscale thanks to the investment of neighboring Saint Emilion producers. My goodness, does this
have Grand Cru class! Will become even more revealing and rewarding after 3-5 years in the cellar. 17.1+. WT050708-10. 04 RIOJA CRIANZA, CUNE - (SPAIN) Dense, sweet berry fruit aromas. And a mellowness gained from age in seasoned barrels. Nice poise and framing./ Good wood meets sweet fruit. Good form, grip, and fine tannin. Traditional, elegant Cune style. Understated at present, but I like its future 15.5+. WT050708-11. 03 RIOJA RESERVA, MARQUES DE RISCAL - (SPAIN) Deep, ripe, full 03 fruit nature with reserva wood and time in wood complications. Vanillin and cigar box highlights. Remarkably dark fruited for 03, and very pure./ Fine use of barrels gives both welcome oak extracts and a suavity from barrel aging. Relatively open and ample compared to other vintages thanks to the warmth of the 03 growing season. Coming forward
earlier than the usual Riscal reserva. 16.9+. WT050708-12. 04 WILD OAK SONOMA MERLOT - (U.S.) Very sweet fruit and fine French oak. Plum, black cherry, mocha./ Yes, sweet and spicy, seductive perfumes. Sweet but balanced. Fine New Wave effort. What California merlot needs to perk up merlot sales. 16.8. WT050708-13. 05 ROBERT MONDAVI SOLAIRE PASO ROBLES CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (U.S.) Sweet, ripe Paso cabernet fruit. Cola, sweet blackberry, and nice oak elements. Classic Paso and a large one at that./ Yes, rich in both ripe fruit and oak. The fruit sweetness is nicely foiled by chewy tannins. A good Paso cabernet example and value. 16.4. WT050708-14. 05 KING ESTATE NXNW COLUMBIA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (U.S.) Lots of coffee and toast aromas. A breakfast wine? Black fruits too. Still rather austere./ The palate is sweeter and riper. Nice intensity. Good oak extras. Blackberry and mocha flavors. Good acidity. 15.6+. WT050708-15. 04 WILD OAK SONOMA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (U.S.) Good oak. Cabernet form and power. Sweet blackberry and cassis cabernet aromas./ The oak adds sweet baking spices and cookie dough flavors. The fruit is fully ripe, 04 ripe. Good quality, but the Merlot is more seductive. 16.5. WT050708-16. 06 COTES DU RHONE NON FILTRE, DOMAINE D’ANDEZON - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Big, sweet fruit with nice, smoky, chocolatey oak augmentation. 06 purple-black and cool still. Peppery./ Flavorful, peppery, sweetly fruity. Up-front, easy, juicy, bright, and fresh fruit, with soft, savory oak warmth in tandem. 06 keeps all that under control though, keeps it from going international. Good black fruit peels, licorice,
pitch. Acid and tannin right too. 16.4+. WT050708-17. 05 CHATEAUNEUF DE PAPE, DOMAINE CHANTE CIGALE - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Like the 04, very garrigue laden, with bergamot, brandied cherry, and Cavendish tobacco airs. Spicy, sweet, and powerful nature of 05 too./ Blackberry and briar. Cool and nicely balanced. Not too heady or tannic. This is lovely, classic Chateauneuf that’s not trying to be too big for its breeches. Inviting already but no doubt a long
keeper too. The Wine of the Tasting on everyone’s score sheet. 17.5+. WT050708-18. 06 FOUR VINES OLD VINES CALIFORNIA ZINFANDEL - (U.S.) Sweet black fruits with cool coastal elements and also some warmer signs, perhaps Paso, perhaps Amador, perhaps both. But I don’t get any Central Valley fruit jelly. At the trade show last fall, the Four Vines gal gave me the low-down on where the grapes for the 05 originated, and it was varied and included Sonoma./ Bramble and peppercorn flavors of
zin. Sweet and spicy oak attractions too, including vanilla, milk chocolate, and mocha. Wholesome fruit appeal. This would be good with grilled meat and a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce. 16.2.
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