Some impressions of the other notes from the Napa Vintners Assoc tour tasting in NYC. Tuesday, January 23rd.
2004 Blackbird - Singing. Much more refined fruit coming through than back in November at their open house. This has gone from a good bottle to a great bottle. The 2005 is still showing a bit much cab franc for me.93/100
2003 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow - To me this is always the best of the three and this year is no different. There was a 1999 MicroClimate bottling of Volcanic hill. An ok bottle. I expected more. 92/100
1996 Heitz Ink Grade Cabernet- This had tremendous length and class. Deep dark fruits belying its age. Unavailable. Too bad. 93/100
2002 Dyer Cabernet- I loved the purity of this. It had great dark fruit and smooth integrated tannins. Now, the '03 next to it was something altogether different. 91/100
2003 Long Meadow Ranch Cabernet (from Mag)- To this point in the tasting, this was the best '03 that I came across. Silky smooth and delicious. A qpr too! (In this room? Never heard of it). One to seek out. 90/100
A few Merlots;
2002 Sullivan Merlot Reserve - This had all of the big explosive qualities I like in a Merlot. Deep dark red fruits, super smooth tannins, and an acid level deftly present. 93/100
2002 Sullivan Merlot - This was just a notch below in quality, but a very good bottle for the price ($40s). 90/100. The people at Sullivan are doing Merlot right.
Amidst all those lovely Cabs and Merlots were the good people of Saintsbury, pouring their Pinots. These I have overlooked in the past.
The 2005 Pinot Carneros showed amazing fresh pure fruits, with a backbone that carries it all the way to a long elegant finish. Red cherries and violets abound. I like one this a lot. 92/100
This year the vintners were asked to bring something special. Many partake in the Napa Premiere Auction, and brought representative bottles. These are limited bottlings given to the auction by the wineries to auction for medical needs and such for migrant workers. A noble cause indeed. The wines are usually 5 or 10 case runs, and usually the best barrels (or cuvees) available. In the past 3 or 4 years I have been a buyer, but the costs are getting prohibitive. Some beauties were;
2005 Trinchero Stagecoach- Big dark fruits abound. A glorious texture made this on of the best in the room. Available only at auction. 97/100
2005 The Terraces Premiere Cabernet, Quarry Vineyard. This was unique for the day in such it has 6% Zin blended into the cuvee. Smooth and beautiful with just a hint of bramble. I loved this and so did my companions. 97/100
2005 Corison Cabernet- I got to admit, I am usually not a fan of Corisons wines. This one was different. Big plush deep cored fruit wrapped sublimely in tannins. Smooth finish. Wow. 95/100
A great tasting, usually the best of the year. The room probably had 500-600 people at peak, so crowding was evident of the demand to taste these beauties.
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