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.

2001 Kay Brothers Shiraz Hillside Amery Vineyards (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale)

Dark and brooding. The nose is pure black cherries and cherry cola. This has a wonderful mid weight mouthfeel with loads of red/black fruits. There’s hints of cassis, a nice amount of black cherry, red raspberries, some cola, some Kirsch, and some black plum pumice; notes of worn leather; espresso bean, warm river stones, hints of menthol, spice box and wet forest floor. A really pretty and evolved wine that seems in such a perfect place right now, why wait. Gorgeous balance with a near perfect finish, bringing in even darker fruits. I love it. 94 points.

2001 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

Ok, so I am not usually one to note on a Pinot. I have hosted winemakers with my tasting group and have left the official notes for some really great Pinots to others. This is one I want to speak of. It's not a regular occurrence that a non-Cabernet makes a WOTN for me on any given group tasting. Today is that day. This was a rusty crimson/strawberry color with a nose of dark strawberries, red raspberries and spring flowers. The palate showed incredible focus of said fruits with more, much more: This was elegant and classy with much depth and structure. The red fruits had a purity and precision that was mind boggling. Even if I did not find a sense of place, I sure got a sense of joy. A flintiness quality that I really loved with hints of cola, cardamom and a note of soy. Balance was amazing as this wine just seemed to float in and out of the palate with nary an edge. Tannins aligned and acidity perfect. What a great Pinot Noir. Wish I had some, and when do I ever say that? (93 pts.)

World's End wines come east.

Some time back there was a vote done on WineBerserkers.com to send two lucky candidates a few samples from a new venture by Jonathan Maltus, the original ‘Garagiste’. A few weeks back I had received these bottles. It had always been my intention to share with a few Cab-head friends; last night we did so. These are all well made wines that will give joy to those who seek them out. A big ‘thanks’ to Jonathan Maltus for sending these east. All wines were pop and pour.

2008 Good Times, Bad Times Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Oakville, Napa An interesting nose that was indeed ‘To Kalon like’ on pop and pour. I got some intense and focused black fruits of cassis and blackberries with just a hint of Kirsch. There was a very interesting creme brulee quality to this with maybe an exotic note of pickle (dissipated quickly) and some black olives. The tannins were firm with a bit of grip but with nice balance. As this sat its structure tightened bit and became a wee bit less fragrant. A nice little bottle of wine with its roots firmly into the To Kalon vineyard

2008 Crossfire Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard, Oakville, Napa Initially I loved the way this busted from the glass into the nose. Slightly more black/blue in the fruit profile. This reminded me of a Coombsville Cab like say Realms ‘Farella’ offering. It was more plush and bigger/fuller in the middle. A very ethereal wine with lots to like. I also enjoyed the cola aspect it exhibited in the middle. As this sat it became a bit thin (1 hour. I popped and poured all of these). This placed as an early favorite. I really enjoyed this save for the behavior as it sat in the glass.

2008 Wavelength Sugarloaf Mountain, Napa A 50/50 Syrah Cab Franc blend. As with its two siblings, this was fragrant and pretty on the nose. I can honestly say it was like nothing I have ever had in my life. It was nicely balanced and intense with plenty of flowers, red and blue berries, cherries and red plum. I got a hint of white pepper and spice-box. I would love to try this on its own as I think it has much to offer, just not alongside the fragrant and plushy Crossfire.

2001 Frazier Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Fantastic nose of cola and black-cherries. The palate shows some deep reddish black fruits of red currant, red cherries and raspberries. There was a nice dose of cola wrapped cardamom alongside some cedar box, soy and graphite. A classically styled cabernet that would please both preference parties (Old and new), but certainly with the lean to the old guard. There are some hints of Kirsch Royal and leather as well. Intricate tannic structure that seemed to unweave itself within the first 45 minutes to a very focused and pure cab lovers cab. Long finish with the blacker fruits lingering. What a treat. 91 points.

2008 Jones Family The Sisters (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Nose of red cherries and pure cassis. A bit closed, but after about an hour there emerged (with coaxing) some cool reddish-black fruits. This is an intense wine with tons of gobby goodness lurking. Tremendous backbone really veils what this is all about....now: purity, creaminess, plush, menthol and leather. A real iron fist/ velvet glove wine, this has tremendous balance and depth. Finish is admirable as would be expected. I would say wait 2-3 years for this one and drink your 2007s. If this lives up to the 2006 Sisters, is yet to be seen, but it will be fun following it for the next few years. My early opinion--- I will keep to myself......92 points.

2009 Quivet Cellars Syrah Las Madres Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros)

30 minute decant, then through a Vinturi. Although a baby (Just received yesterday from the winery), this shows tons of potential. Nose of sassafras and blackberry. A beautiful and intoxicating purity with notes of soy and leather. There is a hint of spring flowers as well. The palate has some warm blueberry pie with blackberrry, hint of soy, hint of bacon fat, some mild white pepper and more. A light to medium body weight with fantastically woven tannins and a perfect high wire act of acidity. Long finish really completes it nicely. Released with 12 months bottle age I am surprised this need so much coaxing. It only proves how wonderful this will be in about 2 years. If mine last. Another great Mike Smith wine. 93 points.

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

2008 Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Actaeon Quixote Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

Super purple tinged and beautiful. A nose of pure cassis, black cherry Kirsch with pomegranate. A full and round mouth feel that never comes close to even resembling anything overbearing. Pure and focused, more textural than layered now. In 5 or 6 years this could be a perfect rendition of a Stags Leap Napa Cabernet, and at least able to compete with SHS. There is an intense presence that beckons your attention. Some very pretty floral notes run the length; this really is an awesome bottle of wine; structure, grace, poise and breed all wrapped in a near perfect package. Deep and luxurious with fine tannins and a perfect lilty balance. A finish that goes for minutes.

There are times when people have asked me what I like in my Cabs; I would love to have a few dozen 187ml bottles of this for them to pop and see for themselves, as this really does have it all. I used the word beautiful no fewer than 6 times at the table while sampling this over lunch. If this is further indication, I am going to love the 2008 vintage in Napa. (95 pts.)

2006 Jones Family The Sisters - USA, California, Napa Valley (3/27/2011)

Pop and pour.
Having been a fan of these for a while (since the 03 vintage), I can tell you that there is no better feeling than reassurance of ones feelings and opinion, something that I have never been short of. This 2006 remains such an incredible staple in my cellar, as I get down to my last 7, I start feeling a bit melancholy; I know the 2008s are upon us now, and I know it's pretty great in its own right, but does it know that the shoes it need to fit into, lets call it the 'Sisters high water mark' has been set, all I can do is wish it luck. Them's some big shoes.

Today, I walk through a field of violets. The darkness we have all come to expect from these is still in play; the nose is spring violets, black currant and black cherry. The palate shows super breed and structure with tons of deep layers. An incredible array of black fruits with some red tinged fruits lying in the background. Spring flowers dominated by a very intense violet note really makes this love at first sight, but wait, there's more: Black cassis with Kirsch, black-cherries, cola, Kirsch, some soft vanilla notes, some cigar box, and hints of soy sauce. Initially on pop and pour you really need to pay attention as thing enter and exit quicker than Lindsay stays at rehab, but if you do, you are rewarded because now as I write, maybe 15 minutes after starting, the violets have subsided and more black fruits have emerged. The balance is deft and the finish is long. This really remains one of the best deals in the Valley. (95 pts.)

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

2007 Novy Family Wines Syrah Page Nord (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Dark it is. Real dark. The nose has predominant black-cherry and Kirsch Royal. There is some red currant and blackberries in there too. There is a very pretty spring flower note in there. The palate has all of those fruits I just mentioned with an explosion in your mouth. Black cherries and blueberry compote. Shows slightly hot, but time should bring that in line. A very lush and full mouthfeel with gobby red and black fruits. There is an interesting linseed oil quality I really like. This is a full throttle and in your face Syrah, not for the faint of heart. The finish is long and luxurious with memories of black cherries. I might hold my next bottles for BBQ season. 90 pts.

(or I might give them away, and I did).

2005 Slaughterhouse Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford)

Years back, I had read there was a petroleum depot or refinery located nearby Chateau Latour. I had also read that if you search hard enough, you can find traces of petrol in the wine. Now, I might not be the smartest wine-o around, but I know petrol is NOT something I want in my wine, either real or theorized. I went on to wonder what petrol might actually taste like?; it has taken me 25 years to find it but here it is, right now, in this wine. This is a big wine, bursting with fruit and goodness. Everything I would want in a Cabernet from Rutherford, and no, I can't find dust... I found the elusive petrol though. The nose was all bright black fruits of currant, pomegranate, plums, black cherry, blackberries and more. It's intense and boisterous, all while being brash and playful. There is a certain quality I have not, or never paid attention to here that is so in play, I can honestly say it endears me to this wine more. Initially the petrol came across somewhat like a petroleum jelly turn to fabrication/fakeness, but with air it awakened to add to the structure and overall pleasure of this wine. It is super structured with a mouth-feel that is lush and its tannins are oversized. I can see you all cringing, but don't; it's actually quite nice when all in balance and all in focus like this is tonight. I will even go further by saying this is very Paullliac-like, albeit young Paulliac-like. There is a cornucopia of 'stuff' here (Like the tea), almost too much to speak of, but since I have never been at a loss of words before, here tou go: creme de cassis, kirsch, new leather, lead pencil shavings, hints of vanilla, hints of cola, lavender, framboise, black cherries jubilee...BLACK. Had enough? It's long finish and lively acidity really makes this sing. And with song, comes dance. 93 pts

2006 Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

A very interesting wine. Deeply colored and opaque. The nose is a very quietly refined black cherry and black berry. The palate shows a superfine and luxurious cab with some depth and elegance. Actually, a lot of elegance. There is some fine woven tannins with just a hint of heat that dissipated with some decant time. This starts out an all black fruited cab with a very refined attitude that in time takes on some red fruits of red currant, tart red raspberries and plum; enter some camphor, some linseed oil, some lead pencil and some dried spices. Balance it deft and finish is long. This needs 3-4 hour minimal decant time to show itself.
91 pts

2003 Hug Cellars Syrah Bassetti Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, San Luis Obispo County)

Very pretty nose of black currants, violets and black cherries with hints of cola. The palate shows a purity and intensity. Initially there is a wee bit of sweetness that distracts, but as it sits in the glass, and as it comes up from cellar temp, it opens up to bright red and black fruits, some white pepper, some soy sauce, some violets. This is very Cabernet Sauvignon like in its approach. I would say almost fully resolved and totally in business. If I had to find a fault, it would be a slightly elevated acidity. It is fruit pack and light bodied, but enjoyable nonetheless. This is a food wine. 91 pts

2001 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon M-Bar Ranch Oakville (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville)

I expected more from this one. It was 'typical' as a Cabernet, but just not boat rocking. Black cassis driven nose and mouth with cola, black cherry and black raspberry. What was missing was depth and sense of presence. Alongside a 2006 Realm Farella, this lacked structure, class and breed. Don't get me wrong, I did not throw it out of bed, but I also did not stare admiringly at it as it left the bed.Expectations can be problematic. 90 pts

2006 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Farella Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley)

3 hour decant. Consistent with my last note. This is opaque. The nose is a refined creme de cassis and blackberry. A beautiful refined and classy cabernet that just screams 'drink me'. Initially quite closed, but the decant time gave it dimension and depth. Black fruit ruled this bottle. Some cedar box, some leather, a hint of vanilla and some graphite in a medium bodied wine, this went long and stayed black fruit laden. I am thrilled to have 4 more in the cellar. No need to run to though, as these are built for some more distance. 93 pts

2003 Andrew Murray Syrah Roasted Slope (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley)

The more I drink Andrew Murray Syrahs, the more I find ho much I enjoy the them more and more. This was floral and pretty with a black & blue fruit profile. It has a nice creaminess within the light/mid-weight mouth feel. some pomegranate pomace, white pepper, bacon fat and wild flowers. A very enjoyable wine that has a fantastic QPR. 92 pts

2006 Drew Family Cellars Syrah Broken Leg Vineyard (USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley)

This wines is just a fantastic rendition of a Cali Syah that I am still learning I seem to really enjoy. It has a vibrancy and level of fruits that catch your attention early and hold it long, but in a seemingly delicate and profound way. Blue fruited with some underlying blacks, this glides across the palate with an almost lush and velvety texture that I associate with some Cali Cults more than Cali Syrahs. Elegance and purity rules the roost. Some worn leather, hints of soy sauce, river rocks and white pepper. A long finish tops it all off.Its pretty and joyful. The hit Syrah (3 total) on the table with wine-os and non wine-os alike. 94 pts

2005 Big Basin Vineyards Syrah Mandala (USA, California)

Big and bold. No doubt you're in Cali. Smoked meat, river stones, white pepper, blueberry pie, black cherry, leather and black cherry liquer. As it had the opportunity (3 hrs) to sit on the table it fleshed out into a finely delineated pure Syrah. I can be a fan of such a bold style, just not sure I want it all the time. It is a great wine nonetheless. 91 pts