2005 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Hudson Vineyards

USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros (2/6/2010)
Ultra dark with pretty red brick edges. The nose is super expressive of pure blueberry pie, with black berries, crushed pebbles, and smoke. The palate has all the explosive qualities I love in cali syrah, without being over bearing or ponderous. It has blueberries, blackberries, and red currant. A wonderful acidic bounce really keeps this alive and fresh. Some great notes of graphite and river rocks, with black and white crushed peppercorns. Great resolving tannins are all in a row, nice and neat. A precise and focused mid-weight mouth feel, this now has some elegance and structure-- To repeat, this is one expressive syrah. A berry blast if you will.(93 pts.)

2004 Scholium Project Syrah - Scythia Donati Vineyards

Abe Schoener

USA, California, Central Coast, San Benito County.

From my first sip of this back in August, 2006, I can say this has sure evolved from a very being tightly wound and un-giving, to giving its all, and then some. It has been nice watching it over a three and a half year period.

Holy Moly! This is amazing. Pop & pour. Velvety red/black and glass coating like no ones business. The nose is all black cherry, blueberry pie, summer morning fresh river rocks, tar, coffee, plums, and some notes of creme de kirsch! After about a half dozen times tasted, THIS is the single best showing of a perennial pobega favorite. All elegance and structure with nada, zilch nothing flawed whatsoever. Perfect balance and harmony of red and black fruits: blackcherries, blackberries, blueberries, cardamom, red plums, & boysenberries. Violets, warm caramel, a hint of graphite, leather, and river rocks-- Wow. This is truly mind boggling in its precision, delivery and focus. Pure, elegant, classy, and just damn tasty. The tannins are resolved, the acid is balanced, the fruits are alive, the mouthfeel is grandiose, and the finish is ultra long. Have you figured that I like this one a lot? I don't. I LOVE it. (96 pts.)

1992 Penfolds Grange

Australia, South Australia

The nose on this is amazing. Cassis, violets, cocoa, Bing cherry, blackberry, and a light note of blueberry. This change d as the night progressed, and actually fell apart in hour 3. It’s elegant and structured with class and grace. I loved to sniffy sniff this all night. Almost as good as last showing, where I said something along the lines of “This is what a first growth like Lafite can only hope to be”, and I stand by that…..
92 points

2007 Saxum James Berry Vineyard

USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

One sniff and you know you have arrived in the The Golden State. Big and chewy with a deft balance of oak, blueberry pie and a white and black pepper medley and some bacon fat. A gorgeous wine that evolved on and on as the night wore on. Never faltering, but not too food friendly either, at least not this elegant grub of pan fried loin of veal with ricotta gnocchi. A baby for sure, I would not mind following this one for the next 3 or 4 years. Intricate tannins and a generous, but slightly masked acid level. Nice. 93 points

2000 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

What a beauty this has turned into. The color is dark burnt amber and transparent. The nose has a wonderful sasparilla, cassis, kirsch, blackberry, some lead pencil and more. Beautiful fully integrated with no sign of the cliff just yet. The green streak is still in place, but the overall package is so much more complex, I can even look past it. The palate has the black & red fruit medley so elusive by many. Black & red plums, red and black cherries, a faint note of cassis, some graphite, some leather, some cherry cola, and a touch of damp forest floor. A light to mid-weight wine, this is graceful and elegant. A bit short on the take-up, but again, not too shabby for such a shabby vintage. Got to be one of the best 2000s I have had.

2004 Frazier Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (USA, California, Napa Valley)

The nose has some wonderful cassis driven fruit, with a hint of blueberry. Interesting. The palate has a very elegant and lush feel. The black fruit is abundant and somewhat bright, but not too bright. Lovely black currant, black berries, some blueberry which is somewhat strange, but welcomed. There is a touch of cola, tar, and camphor. A fully resolved tannin level that adds structure and finesse. Acid is well in the background, but ever present. A very admirable finish that continues on and on. I have always been a fan Fraziers cabs. This one sure pleases. Super QPR at $27. (93 pts.)

2005 Two Hands Cabernet Sauvignon Charlie's Patch - USA, California, Napa Valley

5 hour single decant & needed it.
Nice dark amber and super viscous, clinging to the sides of the glass like honey & water. The nose give up some black cherry and blackberries. The palate has a super restrained mouthfeel. I feel the small berries from the mountain fruit, Spring Mountain most definitely. here is some graphite, black currant, black cherry cola, soy, leather and earth. A very intricate tannin weave with a great balance of acid and fruit. Elegant and regal, this begs for 2-3 years. A decent finish and the memory lingers on the tongue for minutes. Well done TRB, especially in being so versatile in your winemaking. (91 pts.)

Relic Wines with winemaker Mike Hirby.

Last month Mike Hirby, owner of Relic Wines and winemaker for none other than Realm Wines visited NYC with a dozen or so of his new releases.

Full report can be seen here. http://www.clonyc.com/

2008 Relic The Sage (44% Chardonnay, 22% Viognier, 22% Roussanne, and 12% Marsanne) - I really enjoyed the dimension and profile of this. I get the Euro influence Mike said he was seeking.. The nose was all citrus, apricots and tall grass. A deft balance with some extra character filled nuances coming toward the end. I take it the Roussanne and Marsanne were making themselves known. Beautiful.

All reds double decanted back into thier own bottle-- 2.5 hours early.

2008 Relic Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast- My short experienced self (on Sonoma Pinot) welcomed this one. The nose had loads of cherries & cola some wild flowers. Very interesting as it sat in the glass.. A very pretty wine that revealed the Bing cherry, cola, and a hint of earth. I loved the character and tight-rope balance this showed. One that Mike said only gets better in 2009. I only ask….how?

2007 Relic Artefact- (96% CS, 2% PV, 2% Syrah) what an amazing wine. The nose was singing of all good things to come. Black fruits rule the night and this is the opening act: Dense and plush with currant, black cherries, plums and vanilla. A deeply complex serious wine that changes moment to moment. What an interesting wine!

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Relic Rockledge Vineyard- I have been a fan of the Rockledge Vineyards stuff for a few years now. Mike now gets that fruit for his own label. This was dark and brooding. The nose was restrained. On the palate this is as serious as a heart attack. Dark, dense, cassis and black cherry driven, this is a bit tannic and unyielding. Plush and masculine, with a long black filled fruit finish. A fantastic wine that wears its name like a badge of honor. I love it.

2008 Relic Cabernet Sauvignon Rockledge Vineyard -barrel sample- Mikes’ term for picking some of these 08’s was ‘picking sweet’. I never heard the term myself until last night. This is a pure and clean expression of a super young un-bottled. The stuffing is all there, its just all covered with the baby fat. Sure, it’s a bit primary, but a red/black fruit profile is in there somewhere. I will love to sample this after it’s been under cork for 6 months.

2006 Audelssa Estate Winery Summit (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley)

Pop and pour. This a a very serious wine. The color is the darkish brick shade of brick? The nose is all black cherry and pomegranate. Very intense. The mouthfeel is lush with some wonderful black fruits of black cherries, blackberries, currant, and plums. There is a very meticulous tannin weave woven here: an acid level that defies you to light the grill. All dark, all the way, this might benefit from an hour or so, but its so enjoyable now. Maybe just a tad short on the finish....maybe. Its unctuous and pure with class and brawn fighting for your attention. Lovely indeed. Will need to get me some more for the deck next summer. More cab like than many cabs I have had this year, and I do like my cabs.
Just do it. You know you want to. (93 pts.)

2002 Showket Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville)

Double decanted 3 hours early. From magnum. Medium dark ruby red color. Some age showing on the very edge. The nose has a very restrained quality. Some black cherries, some low level cassis, and black plums. The palate showed a very classy deft and pure wine of a medium weight, with some beautiful textures and depth. There was an impressive black and red fruit medley present: blackberry, cherries, cherry cola, crushed pomegranate with just a hint of cassis and sweet kirsch notes, all in restraint, all working together. The tannins are fully resolved & this has a long, elegant and finesse-ful finish. A perfectly balanced and lovely Cabernet that can easily be used as the poster child for what Napa can do, and do right. A symphony of love in C(ab) minor. (94 pts.)

2007 Realm Cellars full line-up.

All wines were double decanted back into thier own bottle-- 2.5 hours early

2007 Realm The Tempest- The tempest and I are like a bickering couple: sometimes we see eye to eye, but more times not. Strangely, the year it was cab heavy (2005?) was that one time we did. Medium weight and reddish black profile, there was great structure and finesse. It's just that damn Merlot that gets in the way…

2007 Realm ‘The Falstaff’- Cab Franc blend. This is a head spinner and eye popper! Super aromatics with loads of black and blue fruits. Some plums, some black cherries, and some camphor. I loved it. It is one you can sit with all night long and never get tired of. Elegance and pizzazz all in one. A no brainier buy.

2007 Realm ‘the Bard’- Usually not in my top group as well, this years is exceptional. A dark fruited currant/cassis/kirsch profile with a beautiful vanilla nose that is all joy. What a pretty and graceful wine. Wow!

2007 Realm Farella- These designates are always so great to taste alongside one another. This has all the Farella stuffing I am used to with a bit more elegance and style that I can remember, broaching toward the Crane territory. Great balance and length. Very nice indeed.

2007 Realm Beckstoffer Dr Crane- How do you spell WOW. This is all I ever remember it to be, but better. How the hell can this be so? Dark, brooding, intense, aromatic, elegant, muscular, balance, length, potential, love. This changed in 15 minutes to be even more of what I just said: more dark, more brooding……A cabernet drinker’s cabernet. Want to make someone happy? Buy them one of these. I…say….no….more.

2007 Realm Beckstoffer To Kalon- Always the crowd pleaser, this again brings it to new heights. Always vying neck and neck with the Crane for first place, you need a photo finish for this race. Dark and ominous, this has tons of character and structure, with gobs of the blackest fruits known to man. We need another word for ‘blackest fruits’—ok….we need 2 new words.

Bottom line: get your check books out.

2003 Harris Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon LTD Limited Reserve Jake's Creek Vineyard, USA, California, Napa Valley

Opened 2 hours early. Not decanted. Nice deep dark with a lively purple edge. The nose is sweet cassis and kirsch. The palate had a lush and pure feel with a deft & intricate tannin level. The alcohol was a bit noticeable early on but after about an hour this really began to sing. There were cassis, kirsch, black cherry cola, saddle leather & a hint of exotic tea leaf. Nice. I loved the way this just keep giving, never changing, just getting darker and plusher. Reminscent of another favorite Mark Herold wine, Merus. The family resemblance is uncanny. A very long ad smooth finish that lasts for more than 2 minutes. I have always loved this one, and I think it does not get the play it deserves. (92 pts.)

2006 Jones Family The Sisters - USA, California, Napa Valley

Decanted 2 hours. The color is darkish, a Falu red/carmine (for all you US stamp collectors out there) (an earthy toned red). The nose is a multi layer medley of black fruits, smokiness, black olives, and leather. The Palate has the blackest plums, purest currant, leathery softness, silkiness, and flowers. Wow. Such a pure, in your face wine that does not attack head on, but sneaks up with its elegance, structure, and purity. The black fruits hold the line for minutes beyond the finish. This BEGS for decanting. Two hour MINIMUM. Big chewy but well behaved tannins with a subdued but ever-present acid level. I have always been a fan of this and this year is surely a bit different, but not any less enjoyable. The PV and CF make themselves known adding the dimension. Great showing--once again. (93 pts.)

Est arrivé!! 2007 Congruence Cabernet, Maiden Voyage

On October 31, 2009, Halloween, we went to the Congruence release party to pick-up our long awaited 2007 Congruence Cabernet, The Maiden Voyage. I have discussed on this site the evolution of this wine.
It's always great seeing friends, and especially smiling friends pouring Cabernet. The few glasses I had there were dark and seamless with loads of fruits and legs like a Super Model.
I could not wait to open one in my home and actually dissect it. Last night, was that time.

This is a dark wine with reddish-purple tinged edges. swirling about it sticks to the side of the glass (what us old timers used to call legs). The nose is enticing & inviting with cherry cola, mocha, Crème de Cassis, black currant, and framboise. Very pretty and aromatic--worth the price of admission itself. The palate shows some black & red fruits of black cherries, currants, red plums, and a hint of Chinese apple. Some Kirsch, floral notes with some leather and earth. Its a medium weight wine with grace and structure. A slightly dry edge with a classy tannin/acid base. Some lushness shows its head, and some baby fat keeps it all covered snugly, but my overall impression is happiness and joy. What more does one seek? A long finish keeps the memory alive for more than 2 minutes. A Maiden Voyage I am glad to be a part of. 92/100

Congratulations to Steve Eisenhauer. He had an idea and made it into a reality: create great Napa Cabernet from amazing sites that don't break the bank. I am looking forward to nexts years offering, which is multi-site blend.

LINK

LINK

Contact Steve at http://www.congruencewines.com/ for information

2000 Marquis de Laguiche (Joseph Drouhin) Chassagne-Montrachet

This opened with a beautiful bouquet of Spring flowers after the rains. The nose was succulent and alluring. Great structure and finesse with a medium body mouthfeel. Wonderful freshness and vibrancy showed its class. Some exotic citrus notes, and a hint of sweetness, maybe a half a hint. A fine interweaving of silky tannins and lithe acid level carries this all the way through to a long lush finish. A very intoxicating and well balanced wine indeed. Brent got some oxidation on this. I did not. Thank you Eric for offering up such a great bottle. The first surprise of a 2 surprise night. (95 pts.)

2005 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain)

The nose on this was all blackberry and blueberry, something akin to a Cali Syrah. The palate had some great fruits of pomegranate, blackberries, black cherries, red plums, and a hint of creme de kirsch. Some soy, scorched earth, fresh rubbed leather and forest. The mouth feel was pure, and plush. A medium weight wine with tons of goodness packed deep within. Some dryness on the mid palate, the tannins still need some resolving. A great bright 'acid bounce' is present. A very balanced Cabernet with tons of upside in the future. Not an in your face or flamboyant wine. A super long cherry filled finish. Would have scored higher had not it remind me of Syrah so much. (90 pts.)

2004 Oakville Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

Medium garnet in color. A beautiful nose of cherry cola, pencil shavings, and flower petals. The palate shows off a very showey and structured cab style I really appreciate. Lots of red/black fruits: currants, blackberries, black cherries, red and black plum. Amazing showing of some dimensional traits of leather, pencil shavings, and spring showers on river stones. The cherry-cola notes never really end. This really opened up after about 30 minutes in the glass revealing a deft backbone filled with meshy tannins and bounded acid. The cola note remains long on through. The finish is 90 plus seconds. I really love this one's showing tonight. If you love a plush chewy, but not unruly cab, this might be the ticket. (93 pts.)

1992 Penfolds Grange (Australia, South Australia)

Crumbly cork.

Still dark with nary a inkling of age. A nose of flower petals, lavender and calla-lilies which only got better as this sat in my glass for a hour plus. The palate had a wonderful depth of fruits: some black cherry, creme de cassis, and red plum. There was a lilty graphite note which was meshed beautifully with some lavender, tar, and earth, good earth that is. An extremely elegant, delicate and lovely wine with super balance and class. A minute plus on the back. This came out of the gate a winner and never fell behind. Wow. WOTF & WOTN 95pts

2007 Dain Wines Syrah The Smart Set White Hawk Vineyard

If there had been a single best $20 STEAL available ANYWHERE. I would like to try it. Until then, I say this is possibly the best deal I have made all year (And I made some good deals).

Medium garnet in color, the nose is all white pepper, forest floor, cranberries, cherries, and pomegranate, all intense. All in balance. The palate reveals a lush mouth feel of cranberry, pomegranate, Bing cherries, red plums, raspberries, fresh grated white pepper, wild lowers and wow. The balance is incredible. Perfect acidic conveyor belt whisping this forward to nirvana.
Unbef-inglievable. A super long finish and Dain's your uncle. (95 pts.)

2006 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon

From 375.

Initially decanted for 1 hour.

Dark as would be expected. The nose has some very low key notes of cassis, vanilla, cherry cola, and black cherries. The palate is very subdued with an almost 'hollow' feel. After 2.5 hours this opened slightly. When food hit the table, even more so. Admirable cassis filled with eucalyptus, lead pencil , tar and leather. This has a medium weight feel to it. A very lively acidic base with some great 'things' hiding out. That's right, things.

A nice finish of 1 minute plus. This will never be a 'showey wine', but will be sure to please in 3-5 years. 89 points