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

2004 Rockledge Cabernet Sauvignon The Rocks

USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

30 minutes decant. This is one of the darkest, densest wines I have had in months. Swirling coats the glass with a ruby tint. The nose has some cherry cola, creme de cassis and black currant jam. The palate shows a wonderful explosion of black fruits: Currant, black cherries, black berries, black plums. There is some soy and a hint of vanilla. All this is engulfed in a blanket of chewy textured tannins. Pure and clean, this is huge! A wonderful acid reminder-note toward the finish. A very powerful cabernet that begs for a grilled steak or chops. I think time will soften this, but its so enjoyable now with an extended decant (My third bottle). A super finish that I can still taste after 2 minutes while typing this. Wow.

Mike Hirby is one talented wine-maker. I am so excited he is visiting with my tasting group CLONYC next month to share some of his new releases. (93 pts.)

2005 Jones Family The Sisters - USA, California, Napa Valley (9/19/2009)

Super deep and dark as usual, this one needs a minimum of 1-2 hours to really show itself. Great creme de kirsch and cola on the nose. The palate has chewy black and dark red fruits of currant, blackberry and black plum pudding. The mouthfeel is plush and elegant. A wonderful balanced wine, this has all the hallmarks of a full-breed Napa cabernet, at half the price. The tannins are intricately weaved and spun to help create the great mouthfeel. The finish is a minute plus, and the fruit never quits. (93 pts.)

2005 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina

The nose was all exotic spices and black cherries. The palate reveals some silky and uber-ripened black cherries, black pepper, soy, cedar, vanilla and some crushed pebbles. That rich exotic quality is sure present through-out. A medium weight mouthfeel with some deftly balanced tannins, which were just slightly angular, and a moderate acid base. A long finish of 90+ seconds. This wine needs at least 5 more years to show itself as it was surely holding back about 50% of what I believe it could be: A wonderfully elegant but powerfully possessive character-filled Châteauneuf. It really has it all, it just needs to come together.

2006 Adele Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

The press on this says: One of the best Napa Cabernet's under $60 that we have tasted in the last three years. Produced by Kirk Venge maybe the hottest young winemaker in Ca. The wine itself comes from one of the Napa Valley's Super Premium wineries whose Cabernet retails for $125-$150. This is not a second label but actually the extra barrels of the 2006 vintage of this same wine. The wine is full bodied, yet elegant on the palate. It is wonderfully complex, loaded with fruit and posesses a distinct sense of minerality. An exceptionally balanced and totally seductive wine. My own scientific based research tells me it's the 2006 Igneous Cabernet Sauvignon. Additional info tells: Under the Adele Cellars label we bottle and sell a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon produced by Kirk Venge, one the hottest young winemakers in CA. We cannot reveal the source of the wine, however we can provide some details. The wine is purchased from a premium Napa Cabernet producer whose label sells for $600 per six-pack wholesale. This cuvee is not a second label made by X, rather it is extra barrels of the wine itself. The fruit for the Adele 2006 comes two vineyards, Thorevilos in St. Helena and Huckfeldt in Coombsville. Both vineyards are managed by David Abreu. The Thorevillos vineyard has produced 100 point wines (Robert Parker) under the Abreu label. Mr. Abreu sells fruit from this vineyard to only two people, Mr. Huckfeldt and David Bowler.

Then we taste it: Darkish red umber in color, the nose was all blackberries, blackcherry, cassis and underbrush. On the palate there was some great intergrated black fuits of plum, blackberries and creme de casis. A medium weighted wine with loads of extras: first and forefront are the notes of cedar, leather, and some wonderful underfbrush-brambly notes thats I really enjoy. The tannins are finely meshed and the lilty acid level kept in check. Very nicely balanced and quite a nice drink, this most definitely drinks above its station and price-point of $30. My one complaint is a clipped finish. Great deal and QPR status nontheless. (89 pts.)

2000 Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos (Hungary)

Beautiful deep and dark golden honey in color. The nose is pure honeyed apricots and honeydew. There is richness on the palate, which is full of gorgeous sweet apricots, lemongrass, melons, and joy. A super balanced style just bordering on a fine line between mid and heavyweight, this is a joy to experience. The finish goes on and on. Just stunning. 94 points.

2002 Gemstone (USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville)

76% cab, 12% merlot, 9% cab franc, 3% petite verdot.. Time treats these Gemstones well. The last time I had this it was nice, but surely not monumental. Today, 4 years later it has added weight and class, but more importantly, structure. A very deep and dark reddish black color, this was very fragrant on the nose: cassis, flowers, and black cherries. On the palate there is a very concentrated mouth feel that I don’t really remember this having previous time while sampling. Great structure with some great lushness. The black fruit profile is my playground. Great black currant, plums, blackberries with some kirsch notes, tar, and a hint of soy. A bit of leather and a hint of cedar box. The tannins are still noticeable but did not negatively affect his showing on ounce. It was decanted 4 hours (I believe), which surely was advantageous in this showing. A real elegant classy and uber balanced wine, with a long creamy smooth finish. (92 pts.)

2003 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

30 minute quadruple splash decant. Dark and brooding. The nose is fragrant with black cassis notes, black cherries, and crème de kirsch. The palate has a silky and pure mouthfeel that is lush and elegant. Totally open for business. There is the crème de kirsch with some cocoa, black currants, black cherries, super black plums and pomegranate. Amazing intricately weaved tannins with a lilthy acidic 'bounce'. A very long and poignant finish that goes minutes, not seconds. A fantastic showing indeed. No rush, but no need to postpone enjoyment either. 94 points