2003 CaliCab Virtual Tasting on eRobertparker.com

After the immensely successful Syrah Virtual last season, I thought it time to stoke the fires once again with a 2003 CaliCab Virtual Tasting. With over 40 people wanting to be a part of the wine drinking action (not like 'we'll get back to more golf action...') we were off to a good start.
I gotta admit, I was no fan of the vintage when it first came to town. The wines I initially tasted wee weedy, thin and often felt manufactured. Since that initial taste I have had over 150 203s and can honestly say: about 20 were stellar. The usual big boys as well as some surprises.

My first bottle for this tasting is the 2003 Jones Family 'The Sisters' bottling, which in truth is a proprietary red, but who's complaining? Not me.

The 'Virtual' runs from Friday, August 15th, to Sunday August 17th.

2003 Jones Family 'The Sisters'
Super dark and intense plum black color. Very pretty edges reminds me of Black-cherry jelly. The nose has some ultra dark fruits of blackberry, dark black cherry, and currant, as well as a very nice sweet red fruits that really pop. Upon entering the mouth you sense a purity not often found. The fruits want to numb your senses, but in a good way (and this is by no means a fruit bomb). A big structured wine with class. Some lead pencil shavings, leather, and camphor are there. Slightly elevated tannin structure tells me this will go another 5-8 years with no problem. An acid level that sits quietly in the background, trying not to bring attention to itself. Nice. Avery long finish of about a minute, (and even at two you can still taste this wine) wow. I love this stuff. Pure. Elegance & brawn all in one package and that's a tough one to pull off. 95/100

On Saturday I had the good fortune to visit with friends Nano and Claudia in their home for a BBQ. Amongst the dozen plus bottles served, I found a Virtual Tasting themed wine:

2003 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Concentrated dark color. This is a pure, clean and wonderful Cabernet that defies the reputation of the vintage. Plush and lush explosive black and red fruits of currant, blackberry and black cherry. Great creme de casis & Kirsch with just the slightest amount of chocolate mousse and a touch of cola. Great unobtrusive tannins that are finely weaved and fully evolved. This is an extremely balanced and deftly structured Cabernet. What a phenomenal effort from KL

Pizza Pinot Tuesday

What can be better than Pizza, Pinot Noir and good friends in the back yard on a very comfortable early August evening in NYC? Our 'first Tuesday' group did a pot-luck Pinot themed dinner, and a great time was had by all. 10 Cali Pinots, 1 Riesling and lots of food. We had four varieties of pizza (or is it varietal?): Provolone and sauce, a white pie of 3 cheeses, an Italian pie with a few types of dried Italian sausage (pictured), and a shrimp pie. Potluck never had it so good.

Since I was busy throwing pizza dough 30 to 40 feet into the New York City sky I only really had time for a few impressions myself.

2004 Seasmoke Botella- a fantastic and very pretty floral nose. Nice medium color. a seemless balance of pure red fruits and a wonderful mouthfeel made the the very early winner for me. Elegance nd style. Such a beautiful wine, I can understand why it dissapears from sight the moment the offering rolls around. 93

2005 KB Amber Ridge - Big and powerful. I brought this and I remember why. Its just pure joy in a bottle. Nicely structured and long on the finish. Great dark fruits and pure pinot satisfaction (for a cab drinker). 92

2004 Joseph James - Steve brought this small production beauty. Great dark color with a very pretty nose of flowers and wet stones. nice red raspberries on the palate. as well as the previously mentioned stones. Nice structure and lenght. Easily in my top 3. 91

2004 Thin Air (blind)- Abe Schoener- I should have guessed this one as I knew Cheryl had it squirrelled away for the right moment. light in color. Scratch that: Very light in color. cloudy and full bodied, this is exactly like it was 2 years ago when I first tasted it. I was a wise ass and guessed a New Zealand Pinot, as If I should have a clue... 89