2002 Château Pavie (France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru)

Threw this into a bbq mix where many a Napa Cabs were served (as well expected of me), and oh yeah... and I wrapped it in foil. Let's have some fun.
Opened at 1pm. Served at 5.
Initially this showed some reddish fruits of raspberries and red currant with a hint of strawberries. I spend a few minutes with it right after pop and thought to myself how it fit into my expectations of what I thought it should taste like according to others notes and conversations about Pavie in general, this being my second Gérard Perse era Pavie. This was Bordeaux, and a real nice Bordeaux indeed.
By time it was served it was fun to watch the group taste and guess and much more of the same. Someone said Napa Cab right off the bat, others guessed mid nineties Napa Cabernet. Color was a pretty hue of carmine with burnt-umber edges and transparent throwing a slight/fine sediment. The crowd looked toward me suspiciously. I said nothing. It had real nice purity with a tremendously expressive midpalate with an almost pinot-like mouth feel. There was some nice hints of cedar and spice-box with tobacco, lite-soy sauce, and smoke. What I really loved was that strawberry note, and this in particular combined with some damp cellar floor, earth and a very real 'Regal-ness' told me we were firmly right of the Gironde.
Someone said 2002 or 2003, I nodded yes. OK, time for a hint: It is a Bordeaux varietal other than Cabernet Sauvignon. Someone said it was not Merlot; sleuth-Nano needed another pour (or two) and Cheryl who knows me all to well said 'Somebody had to have gifted you this wine Mike', to which I gave a BIG grin; they were onto me and it was time to reveal my one and only bottle of Bordeaux to a boisterous and laughing crowd.
I liked this one alot.

2002 Diamond Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain)

45 minute decant. Dark with those purple tinged edges. Nose of all cola laden cassis and black cherries with the slightest hint of tinned black olives. The palate has the same cola driven black fruits with some dried herbs, worn leather and some cream soda? Interesting for sure, this had such a four-square approach to what it is and makes no apologies for it; It's a Napa Cabernet in the classic style. Interesting as well since hailing from the 2002 Napa vintage this shows no 'fatness' of the vintage, and come closer to 2001 or even 1999 is style. A hint of sweetness and a decent finish that ends just slightly metallic. 90 points

2002 Emilio's Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville)

Pop and pour. A bit redder and maybe more along in the color of the edges. The nose is cool black currant with some cola notes, kirsch and black cherry. Palate has the currant, black cherry and cola with some worn leather, cocoa butter and soy lite soy sauce. A hint of menthol is present. The mouthfeel is light weight and the balance is near perfect. I say near because there is a hint of acidity toward the end that adds dimension and depth. Pure and near precise this is enjoyable and free-flowing in its attack. Finish is admirable. An easy drinking Cabernet Sauvignon with a bunch of years under its belt. 91 pts

2002 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

Last one. 30 minutes decant. Red ruby and pretty transparent for a Cabernet. The nose is all intense red & black fruits with camphor, leather, cedar shavings, and Kirsch. Palate has all this with focus on the reddish fruits. Cherries and sweet plums with red-raspberries that linger on and on. The mouth-feel is somewhat light to medium with a cornucopia of all cabs red fruits. There is a lead pencil thing which reminds one of a good Paullliac, when I drank that sort of thing. (Think Les Forts de Latour, or a Pichon. Baron, not Lalande) . Some spice-box, some damp forest floor, I mean ground. The tannins have a slight edge to them. Nothing negative, just dictates more time needed. Acidity is Mondavi-high--It's a lot like Rocky Mountain High, but different. This is a foodies wine. Its floral, and very pretty with purity that carries most of its heft toward the finish which is long and goodie filled. Very nice showing tonight. I would not rush to this. It sure is better than it was 3 years ago though. (91 pts.)

2002 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Ready for this? This is one of the most incredible cabernets that I have ever had. It had everything a Napa Cabernet drinker could, should ever want. Depth, elegance, structure, and reverence, all wrapped around some sweet black fruits of macerated currants and black cherries--Bing cherries—maybe maraschino cherries. Stellar and precise, this had lead pencil shavings, soy, worn leather, crème de cassis, kirsch, river stones, and more. Almost mystifying depth and purity that one can make cabernet dreams of. Made me want to find my pillow tout suite. 100 points!

2002 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (5/22/2010)

A carmine brickish color. This was much showier and blowsier than anything else on the table. A very intense nose of flowers and red fruits, the palate continued the theme, which was strange to me as it seemed much 'darker' profiled last time I had it. The tannins were somewhat raw and not lined up as I remember either. The acidity seemed elevated and the overall feel was somewhat 'fat' for a Forman, which I always expect elegance from-- it really showed the vintage characteristics like a big red letter. Others liked it better than I on this showing. (91 pts.)

No notes, no photographs, yes a good time.

Sometimes its more than the tasting note. Sometimes it’s just a few (or more) glasses of wine with some friends over some good grub. That’s the 'sometimes' it was this past Saturday when a few friends converged on my home for homemade pizzas and wine. While the wines were great, I did not take detailed notes. Heck, I took no notes at all! But I can tell you what I enjoyed--with friends--sans notes.

2001 Justin Vineyard Isosceles was amazing. Precise and focused with very dark and character filled black fruit profile. 93
2004 Schrader TKL Cabernet Sauvignon. A very blowsy type of cab with tons of cocoa powder, crème di cassis, and vanilla. Pretty much in line for how I remember it to be. Not for everyone, but sure for me. 91
2004 Beringer Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Bright and very fruit forward this was beautiful and focused. More so than the Schrader. Black and red fruit profile with some wonderful depth and purity. 92
2002 Quintessa. About my 6th time with this and probably the best showing yet. Glad I have 3 more; sad my other 9 are behind me. Blackish fruits with kirsch and leather. Some pretty floral notes. Wow. 93

The pizzas were pretty good as well. I did my usual traditional round cheese and San Marzano tomato pie (almost Neapolitan), the Grandma’s pie with flat dense crust, 3 cheese combo of mozzarella, Scamorza and provolone, all with some red wines vinegar marinara sauce and basil infused olive oil drizzle. Thirdly was the Palermo pie, my newest creation of thick square dough (almost 1.5 inches thick!) with fresh mozzarella, sautéed sweet Vidalia onions and the San Marzano sauce. (My favorite on the night), and lastly the Great Kills pie: round crust with provolone cheese, cooked until slightly charred and then topped with prosciutto, Arugula, and sweet aged thickened balsamic vinegar.

Between the pizza and the appetizers, it was a tough day for my Lipitor, which sure worked overtime.

All in all a nice evening.

2002 Kuleto Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

1 Hour decant- A pretty garnet-amber-reddish-brick color. The nose is has a sweet and tart cherry/currant pie component that I find ultra interesting and I am truly in love with, and its ability to really balance itself so deftly. The palate shows structure, grace and elegance all wrapped in the plushest reddish black profile I have encountered in a while. I get dark cherry cola, reddish currants, spring flowers, some lead pencil, worn leather, and a hint of soft mocha. Again, that sweet-tart thing really is working for me. The tannins are fully evolved and the overall balance is exquisite! As I am writing this, I still sense the wine on my tongue, almost 3 minutes later, it just does not want to end, nor do I want it to. Class and charisma with breed and structure, all while being fun, giddy and playful. Incredible. 95pts

Dinner with friends---and Spottswoode

1986 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate: Sweet cassis nose with old wine, some dirt, some funk. The palate shows beautiful red/black fruited profile with some creme de cassis, blackberry, tar, and worn leather. The mouth feel was lively and focused with the sweet fruit always keeping control. What a great old wine still wearing its own flesh nicely. Great balance with fully inter-twined texture and a long finish completes completely. 91

1987 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate: Weird nose with a reduction quality and almost being port-like. Some fruit still evident but awkward balance and mouth feel kept this from really showing itself at all. n/a

1988 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate: Similar to the 86. A bit darker and a bit lusher, this had all the components with a little less sweetness in its profile, which make me the contrarian of liking it more amongst the group. I live the contrarian lifestyle comfortably. 92

1989 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate: First bottle was tainted with something, the second, although better, still reminded me of the 87, just a bit more drinkable overall. 88

2002 Lewelling Wight Cabernet Sauvignon: This was super dark and concentrated with a pure overlaying vanilla-oak layer that you either love or hate. I am in the love camp.It had some very lush reddish black fruits of currant, blackberries,plums, and a touch of blueberry. Some elegance with really intricate tannins, I can see this really being a prize in about 3 to 4 more years. Interesting contrast on the night. 92

2003 St. Helena Winery "Sympa" Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Mark Herold, Winemaker): The nose on this was simply amazing. Very concise and precise as being a Mark Herold wine in the vein of similar vintage Merus and Kobalt. As a matter of fact, this was reminiscent of the 2003 Kobalt I had a few years back. All black fruits with some dark cola, black as night currant, a hint of kirsch, some lead pencil, some leather and a hint of cedar. A very admirable mouth feel just coming in a bit short.Overall an almost stunning wine. Near perfect on the nose, and almost the same save the length. 93

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.)