Monday, April 30, 2007

Napa Cabs 2002-2005 (Blind)


Starters:
2002 Pax Hillsides (Sonoma County):
Didn’t take much of a note. Just remember the wine be very restrained at this stage. Great aromas but not showing much complexity on the palate.

1995 Von Strasser Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain): At first it was off-putting to me. Strong tart acids along with olives. Later in the day showed better, especially with the food. A unique wine.

1997 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon Kronos Vineyard (Napa Valley): Again not much for notes but this was showing very nicely. Still young but very plush and rich. An elegant wine.

Mystery White: A nice “racy” wine. Grassy elements along with rich fruits. Oily mid-palate. A very nice wine … and I forgot to right down what it was … Dietz?

Now onto the Blind Cabs (2002-2005...Jim messed up the theme)

Wine #1: Lots of fruit on the nose. Lots of chocolate on the palate. Finishes with heat but overall pretty nice. 2003 Sterling (Votes: 1st = 1, 3rd = 2 – 5 Points = 3rd place)

Wine #2: Not much on the nose. Lots of red fruit on the palate. Finishes with solid tannin and acid. Needs time. 2003 Karl Lawrence (Votes: 2nd = 1, 3rd = 2 – 4 Points = tied for 4th) I think this wine will improve with time and rise above some of the others.

Wine #3: Didn’t know what to make of this at first. Not much on the nose. Palate is a bit green. Some earth but then finishes with heat. 2002 Waterstone Rumor has it that this is made from declassified Harlan Fruit. If it is true…we know why it was declassified. (Votes: Zero)

Wine #4: Nose is showing nicely. Seems to foretell a restrained cab. Nice on the palate. I thought it was showing oak. Good structure and the wine worked well. Long finish. 2003 R-Collection (Raymond) (Votes: 2nd = 3 – 6 Points = 2nd place)

Wine #5: Aromatics are light but what it is showing is big. Fair amount of concentration on this thing. A simple and straight forward cab. Finish hot and short. 2004 Ramsay ($9.99) (Votes: Zero) I stuck this in there to see how it would do. Nice value.

Wine # 6: Big and ripe. Lots of fruit and oak but then a slight touch of green pepper. Not bad but seemed a little out of balance. 2005 NHL All Star (Made by Miner for the NHL All Star game) (Votes: 1st = 1, 3rd = 1 – 4 points = tied for 4th)

Wine # 7: Wow. The nose immediately sets this apart. Melisa smelled sea salt which hurt the wine for her. I love it. Very approachable but still tons of structure. Lots earth and leather on the palate but it is all covered with nice fruit and acid. Way more interesting and showing more complexity than anything on the table. On the finish there is lots of tannin and wood. 2002 Chateau Montelena The Montelena Estate (Votes: 1st = 3, 2nd = 1 – 11 points = 1st place) I had been waiting to taste this in a blind setting after Laube’s asinine rating of 72 points. As it should have in this lineup, it really stood out. Although I was actually surprised a young Montelena was showing so well. Clearly a little more hedonistic than usual.


1st Place – 2002 Chateau Montelena The Montelena Estate – 11 Points

2nd Place – 2003 R Collection – 6 Points

3rd Place – 2003 Sterling – 5 Points

Great fun again.

Jason

Thursday, April 19, 2007

TASTING FOR APRIL 19, 2007

Theme: Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (2001-2004)

Tasted: Blind

Misc Wines: A few other pre 2000 Napa Cabs

Mystery White: Dr. D


Monday, April 16, 2007

Zins @ The Vineyard

Mystery White: A very nice wine that no one picked … until Gerry said “you talkin about the Chenin” :-) 2005 Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch South Africa.

2006 Hug Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Cedar Lane: Ummm….not so much. Cat pee and grass city … is that a Guns and Roses song? Maybe a year in the bottle will be its friend.

On to the Old Zins…

1993 Ridge Lytton Springs: Still showing signs of life. Not exactly Zin like at this stage but drinking well with food at this stage.

1998 Rosenblum Richard Sauret Vineyard: Its best days are behind it.

1999 Franus Brandlin Vineyard: Again, this wine was really enjoyable about 5 years ago. More proof that the new full throttle Zins need to be drank young.

1999 Joseph Swan Mancini Ranch Mt Olivet RRV: Drinking nicely. More delicate and juicy. Nice acidity.

On to the 2004 Blind Zins…(notes by Darren)

Frogs Leap -- fleeting, white pepper, acid/grip, nice finish with the Humbolt Fog cheese, smoother on the revisit; balanced; tannins

Ridge Panzo (RRV) – “cabby”; “oaky”; silky/velvet; slightly darker in color than #1; tannins, very tart

Thackrey Pleiades XV – Unique nose (a hint of “tar”; almost “pinot” like); lighter color; hot; ripe fruits; metallic; “slutty yet nice” (Gerry) …My bad. I tried to slip in something that with throw everyone for a loop…but I thought there was at least some Zin in there. Well it had everything but Zin :-) Nice wine though. Kind of like a really clean CdP (J)

Ridge Paso Robles Dusi Ranch – pruny; riper fruits; tannins; balanced (front/middle/finish); rich and tart; complement to BBQ ribs; American oak; lingering finish … I really thought this wine was cooked (J)

Carlisle Dry Creek Valley – Massive; “Paso Robles or Carlisle” (Jason); right amount of oak; big/ripe fruits; Syrah-like; peppery; Turley Old Vines?; Napa/Central coast…

Thanks Darren!

The clear winner was the Carlisle. Every person voted it number one.

I took a couple of pictures but the turned out blurry…maybe my camera forgot to spit J

After this tasting I am firmly of the opinion that Zin is at it’s very best when young. I really love older Zins that are made in a leaner style but the full throttle Zins just get hot and pruny. Zins like the Swan and Ridge become more Bordeaux like but are absent of the hard tannins. Interesting.

Cheers!

Jason