2005 Sbragia Family Cabernet Sauvignon Andolsen Vineyard (USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley)

Super dark color, almost black. The nose was pure blueberry and black cassis. This is huge. Very rare that I open a young'en up and say "This is too young!" This is that time. There is much happening in this black hole of a wine. Graphite, leather, tannins, blueberry, cassis, chocolate, tannins and the blackest-berry I ever encountered. There's also some sour cherry In the mix. All very primary and fresh. There is a touch of menthol here too. The balance is awkward and clumsy. 2-3 years will bring this one together nicely. For $27 this is a great deal. Drinks at least as well as many $60 bottles I have had. (This happens to remind me just a bit of the 2005 Rivers-Marie). The blackest Andolsen I have had from Sbragia. 90/100

After a 2-3 hour decant this was much more cohesive and complete. Duh!!

Tanzer says its the best Sbragia Andolsen he has sampled, I may have to agree.

2001 Dehlinger Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

Medium dark color. The nose has some red currant and black cherry cola. Palate is very 'European' if you know what I mean... Some dirt and leather mixed in with some red and blacks fruits of black cherry and currants. Decent balance and mouth feel. A nice finish. This evolved nicely as the afternoon progressed. Just having the Ruston La Maestra the other day I can't say I enjoyed this as much. Sure, there's not much to fault with it but it comes down to a preference thing. Not mine in this case. (89 pts.)

2006 John Duval Wines Shiraz Entity - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

2 hour decant. Beautiful deep dark blackish hue. The nose is a very pretty subdued elegant soft cassis and warm blueberry pie. Very nice. The palate brings those qualities forward and adds to it with its silky mouth feel, very low-key slight sweet fruits with the red cassis, blueberries, boysenberry, and pomegranate. Nice notes of soy, slight black pepper, exotic Asian spices, and cedar. The tannins were in check, but surely present and this will be amazing in 2-3 years with no danger of decline anytime before my retirement date. A wonderful long and pleasing aftertaste that went beyond the 60 second mark, this has so much going for it. It has the Aussie profile but brought down 2 notches. I really enjoyed the glossiness and elegant structure. A great deal at $32 to boot. (93 pts.)

2001 Ruston Family Cabernet Sauvignon La Maestra - USA, California, Napa Valley

Bright ruby red. The nose is very Bordeaux like. Lots of lead pencil shavings, red-cherry, red currants and tar. The red fruit profile feels a bit restrained, reminiscent of Bordeaux, but there's much going on here to really like. Good medium weight mouth-feel, lot of what seems like secondaries of tar and cedar with some petroleum. (I think of the Petrol refinery across from Latour when-ever I get this). Could that be healthy? Anywho, this has a strong tannin base, and I believe this will be wonderful for the next 10 years. A slightly elevated acid level makes eating with this one imperative. The petit and cab franc really make themselves heard in this one. All in all a nicely structured and well balanced Cali blend. (91 pts.)

Some excerpts from the Ghost Ghorse dinner.

All wines were double decanted at for about 4 hours.

2005 Ghost Horse - This was hitting all cylinders and was greatly appreciated by this point of the nigh. It had deep dark color with great black fruits of cassis, blackberries and plum. Nice. Great elegance and structure showed breed and style. This was great. Very lush and smooth A long finish brought it home. I wish it has been maybe 5-8 degrees cooler in temperature though. Still all in all a great wine. WOTF, My #1. I had this pegged for the SHS or Harlan. 94/100

2002 Araujo Eisele - Back on track: Great black cherries and kirsch. Some cola and cocoa. Very nice. I wish this had more Oomph though. It was a bit feminine, but graceful and elegant. Not in the fat bruiser style at all, this is Araujo..... A good long finish. Very nice indeed. 93/100

2005 Merus - This was very different in style than anything on the table yet. Big brooding and well structured with very masculine lines. Nice dark black hole fruits of currant and boysenberry with some pomegranate. There was some soy and tarry leather. Consistent notes from previous visits with this wine. What a great wine with certain QPR for its price rage and certainly here tonight. 93/100

2003 Harlan Estate - Another medium colored wine with some Framboise, currant, and black cherries. It had a clean and nicely balanced mouth feel, and although a step up, still uninspired. Got better as time went on: took on some elegance and structure, but Harlan? I enjoyed this and am sure I would have even more if it were alone on the table and given some additional time to evolve. Easy WOTF. My #4 92/100

Shiraz/Syrahs Focus Group Tasting

2005 Innocent Bystander Shiraz-Viognier.
This seemed liked it was a bit over the hill. The color was a deep garnet with slightly browned edges. The palate had a nice balance and texture/mouth feel. It had a long finish. There was some white pepper and blueberries. The alcohol was a tad high. Seemed a bit oxidized but still nice. Just surprising it was a 2005. 88/100

2007 Sonoma Vineyards Syrah.
Young and vibrant. Darker and more purple tinged in color. A great nose of black pepper and blackberries. The palate had a wonderful mouth feel of lush red & black fruits. I really enjoyed this one. The finish was a bit short, but that was the only negative I can come up with. 90/100

2007 Zontes Footsteps Shiraz-Viognier.
Funky nose that dissipated after a few minutes. Very intense red fruit profile. This reminded me of a Barossa Shiraz. Very dark and brooding and a bit of saltiness present. This was a bit unyielding but interesting 87/100

2006 Hyland Penley Estate Coonawarra Shiraz.
Bright red fruit. Nice balance. Some tar and petroleum along with a bit of dirt. There are some nice reddish fruits of cherries and pomegranate. The mouth feel is a bit tart and sweet to my liking. 85/100

2004 Kunde Estate Sonoma Valley Syrah
We have arrived firmly in California. Great color. The nose had some wonderful blueberries and soy. This is a very big and at the same time elegant wine. The palate showed off some great black pepper, dark blueberry pie, and soy sauce. A little more bottle age and this will surely rock. Puts me in mind if the PAX Sonoma Coast wines.
92/100

2006 d’Arenberg The Stump Jump GSM.
Floral and fragrant with lots of perfume, this had a good red color. This was very different in its attack: some very soft red fruits were way up front. Cherries and pomegranate mixed with asphalt and flowers. Soft is the word here. Good balance, but not my cup ‘o tea. 86/100

2005 d’Arenberg d’Arrys Original Shiraz Grenache
Very strange nose of chemical and plastic. Unbalanced and awkward, this had a tart mouth feel and was sweet and salty. Not good. N/A

2006 Kilikanoon Killermans Run Shiraz Grenache
Dark red and black fruit profile of blackberries and Chinese apples. Nice mouth feel and texture. Some soy and dirt mixed in with some floral notes. This had so much going on at so many levels. Would be great with food. Long finish. 92/100

2006 d’Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz McLaren Vale
Dark and exotic, this brought to mind a cabernet touch. Wonderful dark cassis and kirsch, black cherries and scorched earth made this a real winner of the night. Lots of structure and pizzazz with the long smooth finish you would hope for. What a surprise when unveiled. It reminded me of Brokenwood’s graveyard Vineyard Shiraz at 5x the price. Well done! QPR Indeed. 94/100

2006 Kilikanoon Killermans Run Shiraz South Australia
Dark and brooding I the glass, this had a pure black style fruit profile of blackberries and currant with some more kirsch. It was like the Footbolts younger brother. It had the elegance and structure. Nice. 90/100

2006 Four Vines Killer Canyon Paso Robles Syrah
Here’s where things go pear shaped in this 4th and final flight. Totally different than the last two, this had some nice balance and structure with some tart cherry, burnt cedar, pomegranate and blackberries. I had this pinned for an Aussie Cadenzia, but was wrong at the unveiling. A wow wine in its own right, but very different from the other two it had been grouped with. 92/100

2006 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon H3 Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills

Admirable color, this has a nice nose of blackish currants, black cherry and kirsch. The palate shows nice fruit, albeit a bit 1 dimensional. Some good cab qualities of currant and blackberries. This wine is actually a bit better than CT scores will let on. There are some good clean tannins and a typical Washington State profile that many won't/don't like. (not in your face, but subdued and more 'cool climate' in style, without being green). I am sure this will be better in about a year since its shows a bit primary right now. A good finish and all in all .....not bad....not bad at all.....

2005 Sorrel Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County)

Last year about this time I found the 2003 Sorrel Canyon Cabernet and recommended it to everyone I knew who liked Cabernet. Many many cases were sold and I even got 2 or 3 for myself. By New Years I was unable to find any more. I am happy to announce it's back and better than ever.

Ultra dark. A color not ever encountered in such an inexpensive wine. The nose has some sweet red currant and a certain flowery headiness that tells me there maybe a touch of Cab Franc in the mix. There are wonderful Bing cherries there as well. The palate has a wonderful mouth feel that is fruit forward and deftly balanced. The texture defies the price. There's allot going on here: cola nuts, vanilla, Chinese apple, tar, and black cherry. The tannins are very agreeable and soft and the acid is a touch high on the end, but this wine carries it nicely. I like this better than last years '03 (and that's a feat in itself). It has more elegance, structure and class. Not the longest finish ever, but you know what? We can forgive something....no?
You will be hard pressed to find a better deal for $12. Hard pressed. Super QPR two years running. 92/100

1997 Staglin Family Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford)

Deep ultra dark and brooding. This has some mature edges, but still vibrant. The nose has some dark complex cassis with some lead pencil shavings and tar. A little petroleum evident that adds complexity and interest.As this comes down to room temperature there is a hint of reductiveness, just a hint. Not distracting, but there. There is black currant, crème de cassis, some cedar box, a touch of tar and some black olive. This is very 'Left bank'. The tannins have resolved and the acid level is slightly, ever so raised. A very nice bottle indeed. I say drink 'em if you got them but should be good for some time yet. There was more than its share of sediment here too.(from a 375).

1992 Penfolds Grange - Australia, South Australia (11/22/2008)

Such a pretty nose of black fruits, violets and other exotic wild flowers. The color is dark and dense. The palate has some great sweet black fruits (cassis, black cherry, and blackberries), tar, cedar-box and a deep ultra pure mouth feel. Some earthiness adds nicely to the mix. A reminiscent fully resolved tannin base that speaks mature, but in no danger of falling off for the next few years. An early drinker for sure. The midpalate is clean and elegant. There is some dryness on the finish (oak), but all in all this is a classy 'drop'. (92 pts.)

1995 Robert Mondavi Winery Fume Blanc To-Kalon I Block

Deep dark honey color. Out of the gate this had wonderful intense lemon peel and honeydew melons. There was an interesting flintiness and a touch of caramel. A nice lilt acid level and a clean pure mouth feel. After 15 minutes it had gone downhill quickly. The fruit dried up and all that was left was the acid: more pronounced and less 'lilty'. Not as good as the '96 we had at the CLONYC ToKalon dinner last winter, but nice if your not going to dwell on a bottle all night. A good deal for the $20 I paid non-the-less. (87 pts.)

So today we make....wine!

So today, I get my best sweat pants and worst shirt on because its winemaking time. My neighbor Mikey 'eyes' and I have decided to make 16 gallons of something, but we would not what until we source the grapes and taste the options. He thinks Merlot, while I am dreaming Cabernet. We taste the Merlot grapes. Seem a bit flat and bland leaves me not-so-excited. Next taste the Cabernet: hmmmmm, good fruit and all around taste. Ok, 1 down. Next it’s the Zinfandel: Nahh, just not hitting my right where it should. Grenache? Sure, ok, but nah, not a Grenache? Alicante? No friggin way. Grandpa may be disappointed though, if he were alive. Sitting on the other side of the loading dock, all alone is a stack of Petite Sirah. Yes! Petite Sirah sounds about right. I imagine our creation of a dark a brooding chewy red to drink with my charcoal steaks. Nope, Pat, the lady running the joint tells us there’s white mold. White mold? Isn’t that....sugar? What does that tell us? Probably nothing so I ask Pat: “Hey Pat, this means what?” Pat Confirms my ‘nothing’. She offers a discount of $10 per case? Ok, sure. Hey Mikey eyes, let’s make Cab and PS!

4 36 pound cases of each and $220 later, we have his Cadillac trunk and backseat filled with grapes crates. ($23 per for the PS and $33 per for the Cab). We bring it all to his buddy Carlos's home crush and barrel facility: A big double room in his backyard he custom built. Out comes the old crank crush and away we go into 50 gallon tub for each. First the PS, then the Cab. This contraption does not de-stem, so into the mix goes our hands pulling most of the stems out. Easier said than done especially with the Petite Sirah. After about 2 hours of de-stemming and alternating breaks to taste Carlos's lineup from last year we cover the tubs with a sheet and we will revisit in 6 days. Carlos will push the ‘cap’ down daily for us.

Carlos poured us his 2007 Zinfandel which made me almost regret our choice of not making Zinfandel. Great fruit, a good tannic backbone with some black pepper and blackberries. Very nice and Carlos was very eager to hear our honest opinions. He then siphoned off some of his Pinot Grigio that seemed to have a bit of he sulphur still in it masking any fruit. Next was a creamy Chardonnay that had a wonderful mouth feel. The Sauvignon Blanc was very respectable as well with some lemon notes and slightly elevated acid level which would make it a wonderful match for a piece of nicely cooked Lemon Sole. Last was the Cabernet which I found super primary.

Carlos is an all around humble & nice guy with a real passion for home winemaking. To be honest, I never had one, but tasting some of his I surely can see the light. His Zinfandel was the single best homemade wine I have ever had. I had offered to make him custom labels for his wines, an offer he thanked me for, but mentioned that he really wanted to be proud of a single barrel before he would even consider doing such. I told him the Zinfandel is such a wine. Hopefully he takes me up on my offer.

Next week we barrel our wines. (I will take photos and post here for anyone interested). I had a great time and hope it's the start of something we can look forward to on a yearly basis.

2003 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Dark & brooding. The nose opened with some damp forest floor of pine needles and moss. Intense dark fruits of super black cherry, black currant and blackberry, with a deft touch of pomegranate. The palate revealed an amazing intertwined medley of those black fruits with some black & white malted in the mix, leaning heavier toward the chocolate. Wow. The tannins seemed to be resolving nicely although I sensed some chewiness still present. There is too much happening in this wine to put in words. Its somewhat typical Foley and yet I can see the appeal to a wider audience including Foley dissers. The mouth feel was very silky and smooth, but you can't ignore the power hiding under the surface of this iceberg. As others have stated: this is an exotic cabernet with TONS of structure and finesse. A super long minute plus finish and Bobs your uncle.... really

Old bones with life: 1988 Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel Old Vines

Zinfandel today is nothing like Zinfandel of yesterday. I am not just pontificating unknowingly here but speaking from much experience. When I just started on this journey of winedom I drank Zinfandel on a regular basis. Purchased by the caseload and enjoyed every chance I could. . Alcohol level were realistic and fruit was spicy and meaty as today's Cali Syrahs are. They were not the big bombastic wines we find today with 17% alcohol. This wine is from that time.
The freshness of this is astounding. The color is a light ruby red with nary a sign of age. Amazing. The nose has great floral bouquet of red roses. There is a fresh red cherry component that is age defying. The palate has a very deftly balanced ad pretty array of red fruits: Cherries, plums, raspberries and pomegranate. There is some tar and tobacco present as well. The mouth feel is soft, but assertive, or as assertive as you could ever want from a 20 year old Zinfandel. The label states 83% Zinfandel, and 17% Petite Sirah. I think he PS has kept this one alive. This was aged in American Oak ad there is just the faintest trace of oak toward the finish, just a bit. A long and well structured finish of 2+ minutes completes the perfect package. WOW. Fully matured and holding on nicely, this was a real treat tonight. It has held up better than many 20 year old Cabs I have had within the last year or so. An old timer hitting a home run. They surely don't make them like this anymore.....Not bad for $15. (94 pts.)

2001 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon

USA, California, Napa Valley (10/9/2008)
Double decanted 3.5 hours. Nice dark color with no sign of fading. The nose had subdued currants and blackberry with some floral notes. Nice. On the palate the wine walked the walk: great dark cassis with some secondaries of tar, soy, cedar-box (like a new humidor) and leather. The tannins were loosely weaved with a deft acid level. Tame nuances of light oak lingered like a feather. There was a perfect plush mouth feel that oozed class. The finish was long and clean. After reading recent notes on this I did not have high hopes, and I attribute tonight’s great showing to the decant which was perfect...and the wine. Pure harmony in a bottle. Elegant, exact and delish. (94 pts.)

2004 Scholium Project Syrah Scythia Donati Vineyards

USA, California, Central Coast, San Benito County (9/28/2008)
1 hour decant. This wine is in such a wonderful place right now. Dark as a moonless night. Perfect blueberry pie, crushed pebbles. Phenomenal structure. Very consistent with my last 3 times with it. Maybe less showy and more exact and precise if anyhthing. Less perfumey. Some pretty asian spice and cedar. Steamed meat. The tannins are ironing themselves out nicely. Chewy and elegant all at once, this remains one of the best bottles of Syrah I have had recently alongside the Lucia Susans. A toned down Cali Syrah or a Rhone on steroids....you choose. Glad I got 6 more and will still seek more. 3 to 5 yars of great promise here. (93 pts.)

from the website:
This wine was rescued from a vineyard about to be condemned for its unfashionability. The vines were perched precariously on the crest of rolling hills 40 miles inland from Monterey– in the heart of old Almaden country. The perch was precarious because the hill's crest was composed only of sand, from some lost sea-bottom. The vines were meticulously cared for, but struggled in the wind, and in the hopelessly fine drainage of sandy hill-crest. I secured the last harvest; the grapes were trucked to Napa by a local tomato grower. The wine was dark and almost syrupy from the beginning. It lacks the off-putting fierceness of the Scheria, but it would be a gross insult to call it friendly. Instead it is full of intense dark fruit-- reminiscent more of pan forte or christmas cake than jam; and not far from roast goose. It is, like Babylon and Scheria, beyond the paths and borders of our usual neighborhoods, but somewhat more familiar...Abe Schoener.

1996 Clos Pegase Cabernet Sauvignon (real time)

5:20 Broken cork. Nose has some reduction and sweetness. Some browning on edges. Possibly the smallest amout of VA, but I think it will blow off. Palate has some nice structure and dried fruits, but still a bit cool to tell where this will go. Palate better than nose.

5:40 Color deepening and only the very edges are showing age. The palate is fuller and rounder with some rose petals, cedar box, dried blackberries, dried currant, deep somewhat sour cherries. This reminds me of many of the 50s and 60 era Bordeaux I drank in the 80s. Interesting old cabernet.

8:45 All in all a very nice wine. An hour or so this was really showing nice. Good body, fully resolved sweet tannins. Long finish. This was totally matured and hanging on for dear life. More European in style. My second bottle from a different source. I remember my first being more Cab like. 88/100

2004 Rockledge Cabernet Sauvignon The Rocks

USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (9/13/2008)
Nice deep color (Do I always need to tell you that?) A great nose of crushed fresh black cherries with some black currants and red plums. This has a very elegant and precision driven pure core of chewy tannins and a medley of most of the cab fruits I want, with a slightly elevated level of oak that should quiet down nicely (oak is not an enemy of mine). Good vanilla bean and espresso with some freshly scratched wet leather and earth. After some amazing cabs tasted in the last 8 days, this shows amazingly well for its price point. I'm a fan and will be stocking up. (93 pts.)

Some wines from Thomas Rivers Brown

Last night six of us from the CLONYC crowd gathered at Zoë’s Soho to sample some of Thomas Brown’s highly coveted Cabernets. All the wines showed very well, some exceptionally so.
The lineup:
1) 2007 Barrel sample from fellow board members new venture: Congruence.
2) Blind entry- 2004 Schrader Double D
3) 2004 Maybach Materium
4) 2005 Maybach Materium
5) 2004 Schrader Tokalon
6) 2004 Schrader CCS
7) 2004 Schrader RBS
8) 2005 Outpost True Vineyard
9) 2003 Rivers Marie
10) The Zoe field blend of Schraders 3

I'll start here:

2004 Maybach Materium- (double decanted 4.5 hours) Dark and intense. The nose showed a wall of fruit that raged from the glass. Wow. There was black berry, black cherry, dark currant, black plums, some tobacco, some sweet kirsch, Wow. The purity of this multi-fruited profiled wine is both mind blowing and mind-boggling. Elegant and precise, this is a Cab drinkers Cab. I sat with this all night and it kept changing places with its younger brother always fighting for first place. A long finish and wow. Anyone who thinks wow wines do not exist needs to taste this one treated with the correct decant and respect. One more time….. Wow 95/100

2005 Maybach Materium – (double decanted 1.5 hours) The family resemblance is uncanny, just the clothing is different. This had the dark brooding color with the slightly more subdued, but ever present wall of fruit. The red and black fruits created such a fruit medley of love. Slightly bigger in scale than the 04, this had more oak, and more tannic structure, but hey, it’s a year younger. Black cassis wrapped chocolate cherries with pure blackberry and licorice. The balance and purity is staggering. Long and intense, this wine kept vying for pole position with its older brother, taking the lead no less than 3 times. The photo-finish results proved it was nose behind, yet I will give it a 95/100

Mid 90s CaliCab & Pizza night

Last night I had a few friends over for CaliCabs and pizza.
1986 Inglenook Cask Cabernet – what great old brick color for such a matured wine. Some reductiveness on the nose. The palate has a bit of dried fruits, some middle and a slightly boosted alcohol level. There were some secondary’s of tar, soy and leather. I am not the biggest fan of old wines but I can surely see what would attract some to this. A textbook 80s era Cab.Thanks Michael for bringing.
1994 Shafer Cabernet Napa – If I was missing fruit in the Inglenook, I found it here. This was dark crimson. The nose had some deep stewed dark fruits of black cherry and plums. It was a little disjointed initially with the finish showing some heat, but after an hour this was surely firing on all cylinders. The fruits got a bit glossier and fresher. The heat became a bit tamer as well….Very nice. There was currant, and kirsch now in attendance. I really enjoyed the evolution of this one. A nice bottle. Thanks to Greg and Monica for this one.
1996 Corison Cabernet Napa – Here comes the reductiveness again. The nose had a touch of this particular quality that I am no fan of. This wine has some elegance and some balance, but there was something I could not quite put my finger on. I have never really been a fan of Corisons wines and I guess I may never be one. T had some red and dark fruits with some great mouth feel, but the alcohol was a bit elevated and the finish hot because of it. This is one I wish I had revisited after an hour as Greg said it had come together nicely.

My loose theme was older and mid 90s Cabs but f my theme, I need a manly wine. (I took the 96 Clos Pagase out of the rotation)
2005 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Napa – Here we go: big brooding and tight as a ducks ass in spring. Some decanted time and I was vigorously swirling, and the palate showed some dark plums, sweet cassis, black cherries, and blackberry. Oddly the nose never really screamed Cabernet, but a Cali Syrah: there was white pepper and steamed meat! It didn’t detract, and it surely added interest. This had a pure clean and surety of Cabernet in the mouth though…hmmmm? After about an hour this was starting to show a bit fuller and plusher. I love wines like this but I won’t revisit until 2012 and beyond. I just picked these up two weeks back and will get more.
Here’s where the theme goes totally pear shaped:
Cali Syrah time.
2003 Pride Syrah – Great dark color with the nose being a bit subdued and closed and not as expressive as my last, as this is now my last bottle. Mike has a few so maybe I can experience again soon. Some dried fruits and black pepper, this was a good partner to the pizza hitting the table at the time. It had the nice pure blueberries I enjoy with some soy and pomegranate. It seemed I was a bit busy with the pies and this was GONE in a heartbeat. I so wanted more. I have my suspicions….
2002 Kuleto Cab Napa served blind. The usual crowd pleaser. No notes but easy to find on this blog.

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

2005 Keever Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown

(7/19/2008) USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville - 2 hour decant. Super dark crimson color. Opaque and dense. The nose gives very little: cola, blackberry and camphor. The palate has a sweet profile that is packed 10 deep with black fruits of blackberry, black plum, cassis, & black cherry cola. Slightly angular and four square. Big chewy tannins and maybe a wee bit of oak popping its head up as the vanilla is encircling the camp. This is a black hole of a cabernet for sure. Good structure. A decent finish and Bobs you uncle...sort of. A well made wine indeed, but I can see it not being everyone's cup 'o tea. It's more loud and noisy and could use a little refinement & class. Time may help, but I would hate to see what fruit is here go south in that time. (90 pts.)

Next day (after 24 hour decant)- Different day.....different wine.More 'aged' color on the edges with some purple popping through. The nose shows a little more in the way of dark fruits. I sense some cassis today (yea!). The mouthfeel is bigger and so is the alcohol. It's actually more 'full' today than yesterday. with more texture and more concentration. This one needs many years cellar time. The cola bubbles in the nose are gone (yea!). I actually like this more today. It shows more of everything today. It may well be wonderful tomorrow, but I will never know....92 points.

2006 Scholium Project Verdelho Heliopolis Delu

USA, California, Central Valley, Clarksburg (7/2/2008)This was a very interesting and enjoyable bottle. I thought it was a Sauvignon Blanc. Pale in color, long on taste, this had some wonderful fresh citrus notes with a very admirable acid level. A smooth elegant mouthfeel with moderate length. A perfect crisp white for a typical July day. (90 pts.)

6 CaliCabs from the mid 90's and a 'ringer'

1995 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/2/2008)This sang right out of the bottle! Great deep crimson color. A beautiful nose of cassis, camphor and lilacs. The palate revealed amazing balance and breed, elegance and class. Wow. There were some fresh ground coffee beans, lead pencil shavings and soy all wrapped in a multi-layered dark fruit blanket. A long smooth finish beckons one back for a top-off. Wow. Started fading after an hour and a bit, but what an hour and a bit….This is what Bordeaux can only hope to be Did I say Wow? (94 pts.)

1995 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/2/2008)Hmmmm. This was a bit cooler to start so the initial thoughts were...well.... initial. Subdued, reticent and closed. Put aside for a bit.Great medium color with some bricking on the edges. Some currant and black fruits were coming through. A little awkward and clumsy. It never really came around. A perfectly sound wine but was a bit disappointing all around. (87 pts.)

1996 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/2/2008)Not too dissimilar to the Montelena, this had a bit more going on. Some decent red and black fruits and a nice balance, but very low key. An elegant wine with a very nice moutfeel. A good finish but just a bit uninspiring. You are a good as the company you keep and this would have showed better had it been a lone bottle on the table. (89 pts.)

1996 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (7/2/2008)Bringing this one up to your nose you get a burst of eucalyptus . Great dark dense color. Wonderful red and black fruit medley with some secondaries of lead, mushroom and soy. A seamless tannin level and great structure. A very feminine cabernet, but more like a female bodybuilder than a ballet dancer. A long graceful finish closed the deal nicely. (92 pts.)
1997 Thunder Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Doc Miller - USA, California, Central Coast, Cienega Valley (7/2/2008)This was very different than anything else on the table. All red fruits and all brightly lit (lightning with the thunder? ) Red cherry was the forefront. The tannins were loosely knit and a moderately to high acid level. I though it had a mouthfeel of a better than average Merlot. This was a bit spicy in the midpalate. Hmmm?Not my style of Cabernet, but I can understand why some would like it.(my score reflects such) (88 pts.)
1997 Lakoya Cabernet Sauvignon This was angular and chewy. It was dark but I could not get past an overwhelming perfume emanating from my glass. I did not like this at all. N/R
2004 Château Smith Haut Lafitte - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan (7/2/2008) (MYSTERY WINE)Served as a blind wine in an all CaliCab dinner. Disclaimer: I was under the impression it was a Cali so I may have gone into this wrong. Medium dark color. Good balance and mouthfeel. I initially spot either Petite Verdot and Cab Franc so I knew it was a blend. A bit subdued and reserved, this was pretty and elegant. I did miss my fruit though. There were some dark red cherries and plums. A little neutral oak was coming through as well. Reminded me of a few Phelps Insignias I have had. Not the best guy to judge Bordeaux so the egg on my face took a while to dry when I took a way off base guess. All in all a very nice wine indeed. (89 pts.)

2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Amber Ridge Vineyard

The complete opposite to the Kanzler poured directly before it. The color deep garnet with purple tinges. Wonderful red fruit profile that reminds me more of a Burgundy that a Cali. Spring flowers and sweet red fruits on the nose. The tongue revealed crushed pebbles, red cherries, and some cinnamon. There is a clean and pure medium weight feel that exudes elegance grace and class. Nice minerality and structure with a acid level that sits smoothly and crisply in the background. Long graceful aftertaste. Wow (94 pts.)

2004 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard

Deep and dark with brooding intesity. This is a very full flavored pinot that will open the tired mans eyes and make a baby weep. Big pure dark cherries, milk chocolate, chewy tannins, and an acid level slighty above eye level. A full weight Pinot with a very long silky finish. (91 pts.)

2004 Corté Riva Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Deep dark color with purple tinged edges. The nose is pure cab with cassis & dark cherry cola. This is not as big and flamboyant as I expected. It's very clean, pure and exact. The palate has the same dark cherry cola that stands out above all else. Great structure and mouthfeel. Elegant with a 'quiet lush' profile, all with a very lively acid level. The tannins are super tight. An interesting bottle that will please even the super-picky cal cab drinker. This will be amazing in 5 years. Amazing (93 pts.)

2004 Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Great dark garnet. Great ends there. Initially this was totally closed for business. After 1 hour some decent plush red and black fruits emerge on the nose. The palate was initially flabby in the middle and after the hour some nice currant and blackberry kirsch emerged. This is a mid weight cabernet. An ok acid level and maybe just a little hot, this is surely not the best example of this I have ever had. Hell, it's the worst actually. Its somewhat so-so mid-palate and an ok finish. An average Cabernet. 87 points

Did I tell you the color was....great?

1997 Livingston Moffett Cabernet Sauvignon Moffet Vineyard

USA, California, Napa Valley. This has some nice strong dark color that belies its age. It opens with some graphite and camphor on the nose. There is a tinge of fruit on the nose, but one must search pretty hard to spot it. The mouth-feel is very smooth and plush. There is some cassis, red and black berries, soy, pencil shavings, cedar, leather anda certain mild sweetness. Its a medium weight wine that has some elegance. Its fully resloved and pretty much at a point where holding willnot really help. Its a very pretty & pleasing Cabernet sourced from a wonderful vineyard. Nice balance and a decent finish make this a home-run, albeit a walk in homer. (90 pts.)

Vineyard Source: 100 % Moffett Vineyard / Rutherford Napa Valley95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc

Production Notes: Tons per acre: 2.75

Number of Cases: 896 cs. Brix it was picked at: 24.2Alcohol: 13.3% Release Date was September 1, 2000

2005 K Vintners Syrah Milbrandt Vineyard

USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope (5/24/2008)Ultra dark and opaque. This has slight purple on the edges. The nose has blueberries and white pepper. The palate is very sleek and clean. Not over the top, and very lively. Blueberries, meat, crushed pebbles, blackberry, red raspberry, and some sour cherries. There is a mélange of things happening here. Wait scratch that, it's a potpourri of fruits & joy! This has amazing lush mouthfeel and structure. The tannins are in check, and the acid is doing the high-wire walk. All so wonderfully balanced. This is a fun wine that should age nicely for a few years, but singing right here and now so why not?A long smooth aftertaste completes perfect package. $31. (93 pts.)

The passing of a true American icon: Robert Mondavi 1913-2008

I am a fan of both the man and his wines.

TN: Mystery Cabernet...and a story.

Sometimes we all need a lesson in humility. I was served one just recently in my own home. I try not to ever be pretentious or snobby when it comes to wine, but sometimes we get away from ourselves.

I was served a mystery wine on Saturday. Me being the wise ass I am, with knowing and only that it was a 1998 (not to mention it was about the 5th bottle of the night), I went right to Napa and then I started to guess, even asking if it were even Cabernet. (A cab theme diner).

Good color and density, (sure, its Napa). Decent cassis and blackberry (sure, it's Napa). Slight greenness and somewhat 'manufactured' in style (sure is a 1998). Good mouth feel and length, and nothing really bad. (Sure, its 1998...?). A little more midpalate explosion of fruit going sideways..."Is it even Cabernet? Maybe Merlot. OK Steve, what Napa Cab was this?"

Egg on my face:

Steve E's notes to me: 1998 Allegro Vineyards, "Cadenza", Brogue, York County, Pennsylvania (95% Cab Sauv. 3% Cab Franc, 2% Merlot) John Crouch (deceased) - WinemakerTim Crouch (deceased) - Vineyard manager"The "Cadenza" was a meritage that varied in its composition (my recollection is that this was the heaviest % of cab sauv that they used). They started doing it sometime in the late 1980s (I think). It wasn't done every year, but 1998 was the last one done. As I said last night, this was not the strongest effort among the Cadenza, but gave you a good idea of the style at Allegro under the Crouch's. Very Bordeaux".
Yes, you read it right. Pennsylvania. In that context, a very decent wine indeed.

1995 Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville)

Great floral nose of lavander & currants. Medum deep color with no sign of age. Nice light cocoa wrapped currants, blackberry, tar, & slight leather. A medium bodied elegant & pure serious cabernet that quietly pleases. Fully resolved & clean tannins. An admirable finish to close the deal. What's not to like? (92 pts.)

1995 Staglin Family Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Deep dark crimson. Lifting the glass to my nose I sensed little. Coaxing out by swirling I got some cassis and dark cherry. What the nose held back, the palate revealed: Super structure and breed that comtinued to eveolve nicely for about an hour, and then started to slide down the slope and gained some speed as it went, but what an hour it was. Tar, cassis, black cherry, a touch of cedar. This was a beautiful & pure cab. Nice resolved multilayered tannins and a clean level of acid rounded this out very well. A 40 second finish and 'Bobs your uncle'. (My wife is a Brit) (93 pts.)

Anyone who ever read Fahrenheit 451 can not help to think of Guy Montag when looking at this label.

1996 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville)

Opaque and brooding, nose was a bit restrained, but with some time there was the usual suspects of tar and red & black fruits. The palate had shown a medium bodied mouthfeel with some class, but always seemed kicked down a notch. Quiet and refined, there was nothing that screamed loudy. Balanced and nicely structured. There was black currant, bleckcherry, raspberry, leather, soy, and a touch of menthol...just a touch. A intertwined tannin and acid level that acted like a tight wire, but not as taut as it could be. Theres a little play and one senses the balance a bit fragile for it. Feminine and pretty though. Decent finish. (90 pts.)

2002 Quintessa (USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford)

The color was super dark. It reminded me of Bordeaux. It had some cassis, and blackberry. The palate showed a medium to heavy weight wine with an elagant multilayered fruit profile that is somewhat quiet it it's approach, but constantly delivers the goods. Tar, anise, leather, cocoa, and cassis wrapped around clean and intricate tannins.... All this with a cherry on top! (black cherry that is). I like this ones peigree. A long finish and I was seeking out the decanter for more. (92 pts.)

1996 Clos Pegase Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

I have been enjoying some real nice 1996 Napa Cabs lately. This was a perfect choice to my pork in artichoke sauce dinner.

Nice amber colored edges. Amazing pure cassis, tar and dark cherry nose. After 30 minutes the palate shows a pure curranty-cab profile that is somewhat two dimensional, but very very pretty indeed. The fruits in attendance are currant, blackberry (not your phone), dark cherry, and black plums.There are some secondaries like tar, cedar and anise and a wonderful fine line of tannins. An acid level that is deftly floating in the background. Wow. A medium bodied expolsive cabernet that shows elegance, structure and breed.A 30 second finish beckons you back... Wish I had more. (93 pts.)

And this my friends is why I love Cabernet.........

2005 Hardin Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

I am forever on the Cabernet QPR search. Last year I found the Sorrel Canyon Cabernet for $9. (Mendocino).
Many have bought cases upon cases of this after tasting from my recommendation.
I truly believe if one looks hard enough one can still find great wines at reasonable prices and $23 is surely reasonable, especially by Napa's standards. I initially had this last week and thought it deserved a deeper look. The verdict: I will get a case.

Deep garnet color. Viscous grip on the glass. The nose has blackberries, currant, dark cherry pie and boysenberry. The mouthfeel belies the fact that this is a $23 Cab. There is real structure and allure not normally found at this price point. Sweet tannins and a quiet but ever present acid level carries this forward. The finish seems a bit clipped. This reminds me of Ed Sbragias offerings of late save for the Beringer Reserve. There are some grape pips floating about? Strange, but the only distraction I can find. Could use a year in the bottle but drinks quite nicely now. (90 pts.)

I have bestowed the elusive Super QPR designation on this one!

From website (my bolding emphasis): The first Hardin Cabernet Sauvignon was “discovered” in 2003 by Doug Polaner on a trip to California. The wine was sourced from one of Napa Valley's long time “cult” producers. Doug found himself in Napa at the right time, and was able to taste and buy a small lot of this top, top quality wine. With the blow-out success of the first vintage, he went right to work on putting together a stellar follow-up, traveling throughout Napa tasting small lots of Cabernet until he was able to assemble the right combination of components. The blend of the 2005 is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, sourced from high-end vineyards such as ToKalon & Dr. Crane. The wine was aged in 75% new French oak for 18 months before being racked into used oak. Stylistically, the wine is classic deep, plush Napa Cab with lots of ripe Cassis fruit, sweet tannins and hints of superb quality oak. Try it with braised pheasant, red cabbage and wild rice, or why not a filet mignon with Gorgonzola sauce…?

QPR?

Quality to price ratio. What’s the confusion?
One must find joy where one can. If you’re drinking $100 wines nightly, or even weekly, I want to be your neighbor. If one wants to seek real value for their dollar one looks for QPRs. Quality (is it good? Does it drink like a more expensive wine?) to price ($ paid) ratio (was it worth what you paid? Hopefully you can perceive it as being worth more).

The debate enters when QPRs are perceived as cheap or inexpensive wines. I think an injustice is being done if you lump all QPRs into the sub $20 range. I myself am finding them in many ranges. Here’s a few of my last years range’s range: $9, $23, $39, $90. What they are is not important. What they have in common to me is. They are all QPRs in their price range. That means they drink like a wine valued more than itself. My reasoning or justification is simple enough, to me. What they mean to you is surely different. Just please don’t confuse QPRs with cheap everyday drinkers, for if I could drink that 2003 Kobalt Cabernet ($90) as an everyday wine, I may need to do a George Jefferson.
Anything available in your neighborhood?

2000 & 2001 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot - Howell Mountain

2000 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot - Howell Mountain-

Broken cork. Decanted. Deep brick red color with some brown hints on edges. Nose showed cork. Initial taste showed cork too. The host chose to keep it on the table. This was slightly corked but not undrinkable. Some masked fruits of blackberry and blackcherry were present. The cork subsided, but never disappeared. My friend Bob wants another?

2001 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot - Howell Mountain - 2nd 'Duck' on the table after the slightly corked 2000 mentioned elsewhere. Great nose of blackberries and red currant, as well as some super dark cherry. Very plush and elegant, this had some soy, cocoa, and slight anise. I love these when they are on. Wonderful balance and acid with a super fine tannin level than plays so deftly in the background. Long 45 second finish. Its good to see these still hitting their stride after Rinaldi's departure.

Both enjoyed over a very long lunch with friends this past Friday. I was out ruled by the host on returning the 2000.

1987 Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

Burnt orange edges and light garnet body. The nose had some cork, which blew off after about 10 minutes. This had wonderful lively fruits of bing cherries, raspberry, and a bit of red currant. There were some fantastic secondaries of tar, coffee and mushroom. A fantastic acid balance...still! A great finish which brought forward the cherries once again. Elegance and class. (90 pts.)

This was the final from 2 six-packs given to me from a good friend back in 1991. It has been cellar stored since. Brought to my favorite Italian restaurant over a LONG lunch with friends this past Friday.

2005 & 2006 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium

2005 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium-USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (4/14/2008)Super dark color. Deep pure cassis and blackberry nose. The palate has the blackberry and the deep pure currant, anise and cocoa.. Slghtly angular tannins. Balance, structure and breed. This is a powerhouse that will be sure to please for the next 15 years. The promise is there...the patience will be rewarded. (95 pts.)

2006 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium-USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (4/14/2008)Barrel sample at NYC open house 4/14/2008- The color is super garnet. The palate explodes with red fruits of plum, cherries and tar. There is some nice cassis notes present. This is a very elegant & classy wine. A real show-stopper. Pure fruited and extremely clean. Very different from the '04 and the '05. This will set a new high for this rock star wine... (96 pts.)

My first ever 1+ hour after taste. I was still tasting this wine on the bus ride home. My mouth felt like it was coated with glycerin!

2008 Polaner Selections' Spring Portfolio Tasting - Focus on Cabs and Syrahs

2005 Merus. In case you don't already know, this is the schnizzle. It is dark and brooding with explosive black and red fruits of currant black berry, black cherry, and black plums. It has super length and incredible mouth feel. Wow. 97/100

2005 Maybach Materium, I had commented about this from last nights open house below.

2005 Outpost 'True Vineyard' Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, This was one of my surprises of the day; intense, dark, and layered with red fruits this was fragrant and lovely. 92/100

2005 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, if there are still qprs in Napa, one must be willing to pay$50-$60 for them. Here is one: Elegant and smooth full of blackberries and cassis. Bright and stellar. 90/100

2006 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Adler Springs. This had wonderful structure, blueberries & crushed pebbles. Fragrant and not over the top. I like what was done with this. 92/100

2005 Arnot-Roberts Cabernet Sauvignon Bugay, Sonoma County. I like this one this year better than the Clajeux (formerly wild iris). It had pure red black and blue fruits with a wonderful balance of acid and tannins. The tannins were finely meshed and well integrated. 90/100

2006 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Hudson. 6 months more barrel time than last years Hudson, this is a brute of a wine that needs time in the bottle to show its full self. Its super concentrated and tightly knit. This reminds me of a classic Cote Rotie 92/100

2006 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Griffins Lair. Deep purple and very fragrant, this showed wonderful blueberry and black plums. Pure and class, this is a deftly balanced sublime wine indeed. 91/100

2005 K Vintners Syrah Morrison Lane, Walla Walla. A beautiful example of whats going on in Walla Walla. Great nose of candy and spice with some smokey dark blue berries and a wonderful acid level. Tannins in check, this is surely a pleaser. 93/100

2006 K Vintners Syrah Millbrandt, Walla Walla. Candy cane and gummi bears; this is a real 'fun' Syrah to behold. Full and fleshy, it is somewhat similar to the Morrison, but more in your face, where the Morrison is a bit more restrained....just a bit. 93/100

2005 K Vintners Ovide, Walla Walla. 67% Cabernet and 33% Syrah. This is a very interesting and serious wine for sure. Its structured like a cab, but explodes like a syrah. Dark fruited of cassis with stones, tar, and coffee, this is full throttle but precise. 94/100

2005 Wolf Family Cabernet Franc (3% CS). Pretty and exact, this Cab Franc delivers elegance and full flavor. I am usually not a fan of Cab Franc alone, but this made me a believer. 93/100

2006 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Baby Poux Vineyard Columbia Valley. Floral notes on the nose, this is bright red fruited with gobbs of youth and promise. Red Currant with tar, cedar and cocoa, this is pretty and feminine, but no light weight. 93.5/100

2006 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyard Columbia Valley. Bright red and eucalyptus, this is pure and smooth. Great length and mouthfeel. 92/100

2005 Realm Bard. One not tasted at the NY open house, this is pure and elegant with smooth tannins. Medium weighted and intense. Glad to get the 'behind the table' try from Wendell 92/100

2005 Larkmead Firebelle Meritage Napa. Beautiful soft tannins with great reddish fruits. The Merlot carries this forward while the Cab gives structure. Tar and cocoa with a nice long finish. Great QPR 90/100

2006 Hardin Cabernet Sauvignon Napa. Good balance and pure easy ab stle willmake this a crowd pleaser, even for the uninitiated cab drinkers. Good QPR. 89+/100

2003 Black Sears Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, Napa. Deep and dark, this is super fleshy with currant, blackberries and class. Very verrrry impressive.

2006 Arietta Quartet (barrel) Great balance and structure. Deep red fruit of cherries and raspberries. Great nose and length. 92

2006 Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon, (barrel), Dark pure cab profile with great fresh vibrant cassis and dark cherry. Wonderful balance and super fine tannins. This will be a stunner. From a two barrel selection. 92

2004 Crocker & Starr Stone Place Cabernet Sauvignon, dark color with a real pretty fruit profile. A bit understated, but still regal. Should be something very nice in about 5 years. 90

2006 Kunin Zinfandel Westside Paso Robles, Medium dark color and great berries on the nose, some tat and soy. I really enjoy this elegant and reserved of Zinfandel. Great job. 90

2005 Gemstone Facets- a sweet fruit profile detracts somewhat from this years offering. A great interweaved tannin structure and decent acid level. I enjoyed the Gemstone better this year, and the Facets better last year. 89

2005 Altus Cabernet Sauvignon (Merus 2nd label), This had nice pure elegant fruits of cassis, blackberry, and dark plum. Its elegant and pure, and very soft textured. Elegance but made in the ‘early drinking’ style. Merus’ little sister. 90

2006 PAX Syrah Obsidian Knights Valley, Big and brutish. This had wonderful meat, pepper, and blueberries pie that is a very in your face style of Cali syrah PAX is known for. Deep and concentrated, this needs a night to study. 91

2006 PAX Syrah Walker Vine Hill, Russian River Valley, Very fruit forward style with dark plum, white pepper, and blueberry. Great balance of acid and fine-grained tannins. 89

2006 PAX Syrah Cuvee Christine Sonoma County, a very boisterous type of Syrah with great deep blueberries, and crush stone. Nice minerality and structure, with a nice long finish. 88

2006 PAX Syrah Nellson Vineyard Sonoma Coast, very aromatic showing decent breed and style. Blackberries and blueberries with crushed pebbles and white pepper. Nice mouths feel, maybe too typical and boring for my style though. 87

2005 Brookman Cabernet Sauvignon, good dark fruits but seems to lack the mid-palate. A somewhat high acid level A bit disjointed. I enjoyed the 04 better. 89

Got Merus? Get.....Merus.

2003 Black Sears Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, Napa

Deep and dark, this is super fleshy with currant, blackberries and class. Very verrrry impressive.

2006 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignons: Baby Poux & Cold Creek

2006 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Baby Poux Vineyard Columbia Valley. Floral notes on the nose, this is bright red fruited with gobbs of youth and promise. Red Currant with tar, cedar and cocoa, this is pretty and feminine, but no light weight. 93.5/100

2006 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyard Columbia Valley. Bright red and eucalyptus, this is pure and smooth. Great length and mouthfeel. 92/100

2005 Wolf Family Cabernet Franc

(3% CS). Pretty and exact, this Cab Franc delivers elegance and full flavor. I am usually not a fan of Cab Franc alone, but this made me a believer. 93/100

2005 K Vintners Morrison & Milbrandt Syrah & Ovide

2005 K Vintners Syrah Morrison Lane, Walla Walla. A beautiful example of whats going on in Walla Walla. Great nose of candy and spice with some smokey dark blue berries and a wonderful acid level. Tannins in check, this is surely a pleaser. 93/100

2006 K Vintners Syrah Millbrandt, Walla Walla. Candy cane and gummi bears; this is a real 'fun' Syrah to behold. Full and fleshy, it is somewhat similar to the Morrison, but more in your face, where the Morrison is a bit more restrained....just a bit. 93/100

2005 K Vintners Ovide, Walla Walla. 67% Cabernet and 33% Syrah. This is a very interesting and serious wine for sure. Its structured like a cab, but explodes like a syrah. Dark fruited of cassis with stones, tar, and coffee, this is full throttle but precise. 94/100

2006 Arnot-Roberts Syrahs & 2005 Cabernet Bugay

2006 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Adler Springs. This had wonderful structure, blueberries & crushed pebbles. Fragrant and not over the top. I like what was done with this. 92/100

2006 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Hudson. 6 months more barrel time than last years Hudson, this is a brute of a wine that needs time in the bottle to show its full self. Its super concentrated and tightly knit. This reminds me of a classic Cote Rotie 92/100

2006 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Griffins Lair. Deep purple and very fragrant, this showed wonderful blueberry and black plums. Pure and class, this is a deftly balanced sublime wine indeed. 91/100

2005 Arnot-Roberts Cabernet Sauvignon Bugay, Sonoma County. I like this one this year better than the Clajeux (formerly wild iris). It had pure red black and blue fruits with a wonderful balance of acid and tannins. The tannins were finely meshed and well integrated. 90/100

2005 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon and 2005 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon 'True Vineyard', Howell Mountain

2005 Outpost 'True Vineyard' Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, This was one of my surprises of the day; intense, dark, and layered with red fruits this was fragrant and lovely. 92/100

2005 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, if there are still qprs in Napa, one must be willing to pay$50-$60 for them. Here is one: Elegant and smooth full of blackberries and cassis. Bright and stellar. 90/100

2005 Merus

Polaner: 4/15/2008 In case you don't already know, this is the schnizzle. It is dark and brooding with explosive black and red fruits of currant black berry, black cherry, and black plums. It has super length and incredible mouth feel. Wow. 97/100

2005 Lucia Susan's Hill SLH

3/08/2008-Decanted 4PM.5PM:Initially somewhat primary. Super dark color. Purple edges. amazing pure saturated blackberry and blueberry. Beautiful floral notes.This will get better and better...6:40P:This nose is just exploding with black fruit. An incredible lush tannin and acid level showcases the blackberries, tar, white pepper, bacon fat. A super long finish . Wow. No Glad I've got 10 more and will seek more yet. This is an elegant classy pure pretty Syrah. Well worth the $40 price tag. I will never drop from ths list and will continue to ask for 2x the allotment. 94/100

2004 A Donkey and Goat 2004 Syrah Carson Ridge El Dorado

Much more fragrant. Great bright red fruits abound. Medium dark color. A more forward type of Syrah than the Kunin. The palate revealed dark cocoa, cinnamon, red raspberries, slight blueberry and tar. A medium to high weight Syrah and a more ‘in your face’ wine, this had great body, maybe a little short on the finish though. Initially I enjoyed this quality, but in the long run, the Kunin won out for me. 90/100

2004 Kunin Syrah – Santa Barbara

Double decanted ½ the bottle 2 hours earlier. Wonderful dark brooding color. The nose is a bit restrained, but opened up nicely with some air. A nose of great raspberry, blueberry, anise, and a slight hint of cassis. Wonderful medium balance. Great mouthfeel, again the raspberry out front, followed by the blueberry and cassis once again. Also evident were some violets and coffee. This is a very pretty feminine style Syrah that will please for a few more years. Not a very tannic style Syrah, more cool climate in profile. A nice long finish completed this nicely. Thanks to Seth Kunin for sending it to us for trying. We will do the 2001 (also sent) next time…. 92/100

2003 PAX Syrah Cuvee Keltie

This was the bigger styled Syrah on the table…No surprise. Great Blue and red fruit medley of Cherries, Blueberries, violets, bacon fat, white pepper, and soy. This screamed decant. This evolved nicely after an hour and a half. Super structured with a slightly elevated acid level, the tannins were in ‘da house. Some sensed heat, I did not. This showed nicely. A decent finish. This will be a real treat in about 2 years. I always say PAX does best after 5 or 6 years in the bottle. 91/100

Virtual Californa Syrah Tasting

Right now (Friday, Mach 7th, 2008, 7:48PM) there is a virtual Cali Syrah tasting going on. It is actually going the whole weekend. The brainchild of the parker board member Frank Murray III. Bravo Frank!

There has been much talk of late about Cali Syrah not getting its due. In my mind it is the single most interesting varietal right now. There are so many styles to be attracted to. Nothing like Shiraz, the grape has found its place in the US nicely. I prefer the cooler climate style, not bruisers.

Unlike Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, this grape does well under many conditions, cool, warm, high, and low. There is something for everyone.

Tonights choice:
2005 Lucia Susan's Hill SLH Syrah- Decanted 4PM.
5PM:Initially somewhat primary. Super dark color. Purple edges. amazing pure saturated blackberry and blueberry. Beautiful floral notes.This will get better and better...
6:40P:This nose is just exploding with black fruit. An incredible lush tannin and acid level showcases the blackberries, tar, white pepper, bacon fat. A super long finish . Wow. No Glad I've got 10 more and will seek more yet. This is an elegant classy pure pretty Syrah. Well worth the $40 price tag. I will never drop from ths list and will continue to ask for 2x the allotment. 94/100

This coming Tuesday a few friends and myself are getting together to cap off the Virtual Tasting Weekend, by tasting a few more California Syrahs, albeit 2 days late, but who keeps track of such minutia? Bloggers, that's who.

2004 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Since I have been banned from stepping foot in Ghost Horse’s caves, I have to drink the next best thing available. I reached into my cellar and grabbed this: (by the way, since this ridiculous fiasco of a thread happened on ebeb, I've had 3 gracious invites (from others) to taste wines when I do visit Napa):

Medium in color. Not as intense as I might expect, but very vibrant. The nose is pure vanilla and dark blackberry & red raspberries. The palate had shown some wonderful pure dark black and red fruits of raspberries and blackberries with some Bing cherry, soy, & tobacco. A very restrained style of Cali blend that has more in association with the actual 'right bank' of Bordeaux than anywhere else. The Cab Franc is first and foremost, but does the tight line walk nicely. An ultra lush mouth feel. Somewhat dry and austere, but giving with some coaxing. The Merlot balances this nicely. This wine needs deep examination and an eye toward the future. It's pure, exact, and with the promise of profound, I would hold any others for 5 years. A decent finish 'almost' rounds this out. This needs to flesh itself out, but than will be incredible. (91 pts.)

1973 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon from a pristine magnum

This had a great lush dark resolved fruit profile that belied its age. The color was dark. There was great dark currant, blackberry, tar, cocoa, and so much more going on. I kept this glass alive until the end of the night. It changed and evolved getting lusher and deeper. The finish was long. If tasted blind I would place this at about 6 or 7 years of age. This 35 year old was amazing. (Comforting like a warm blanket) 94/100

1975 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon from a pristine magnum

This wine in itself was worth the price of admission for the night. Dark brooding color. Silky dark fruited and jam packed full of character. This had a wonderful fully resolved tannin level acted like a conveyor for all else. Some soy, cedar box, tobacco, & cassis. This wine needed a night to watch. A long finish that was like hitting a birdie on 18 that gets you smiling and planning your next outing even before you get back to the cart., here, your next taste. 96/100

1977 Heitz Bella Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon from a pristine magnum

This was pure 1970s California…. fast-forwarded. Slightly edgy and rustic. A nice dark fruit profile that seemed masked by a matured high oak level? Not quite sure. Some currant and spice, and some other nice secondaries. Kevin to my right loved it so, I emptied my glass and got myself more of that '75 Mayacamas. 89/100

1991 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23- From the Cellar of a Gentleman :)

This was dark and brooding. Much more in today’s style of Napa Cabernet. Deep vanilla and cassis on the nose. A wonderful purity. The palate a very elegant currant, tar, cocoa, cedar, & vanilla, this was a hedonistic wine. Structured, classy elegant and brawny all at once. Just a balanced beauty. A long smooth finish that went on for 45 seconds. 17 and acting like 7. 94/100

2002 Blankiet Merlot Estate

Last wine of the night, and quite the surprise. I wish I had 3 hours to appreciate and watch this sexy beast, but alas, I had 30 minutes at best. Plush dark cherry pie and ripe tomato leaf on the nose. The palate had the cherries, black and red plums, cocoa, and anise. The mouth feel was incredible: round and soft, but firm and structured. It harkened memory of a wonderful the Pomerols I had many years ago, (when I drank that sought of thing that is…). I would have rated this higher if it did not remind me initially of Chianti on the nose. 91/100

2002 Brokenwood Shiraz (Australia, South Australia, McLaren Vale / Padthaway)

2/22/2008 rated 90 points: Deep dark color. The nose reveals graphite, blackberry & black cherry. The palate has some wonderful silkiness, blackberry, some blueberries, tar, and anise. Silky tannins and an admirable acid level. A medium bodied Shiraz with a slight metallic note on the finish. All in all a very nice Shiraz, full of character and value. Well worth the $20 I paid.

Some 'cool' Shiraz amongst friends

A few of us gathered at Walkers in Tibeca to partake in some 'cool climate' Australian Shiraz. The wines were interesting, but the company was fantastic.

1999 Greenock Creek Apricot Block - Sweet berries dominated the nose and carried over to the palate. The acid level was slightly elevated. An over ripe example that was an early crowd pleaser, but alas to my taste it got old (the sweetness) quickly, especially when more elegant wines hit the table. 88/100
2002 Berrys Bridge Pyrenees – Pure ripe blueberry pie and flowers. Although had the better nose of the two berry bridges, the ’04 was smoother on the tongue. Somewhat awkward and thin in the midpalate. 87/100
2004 Berrys Bridge Pyrenees - Not without its issues: Goodyear tires on the nose big time, and tractor-trailer size to boot. Strange, once past the nose this showed some elegant blueberry, slight tar, some graphite. A strange wine. Maybe a bit cooler this would have shown better. 86/100
2003 Tintara Reserve Shiraz- I may differ with Greg’s final point about this not being cool climate. This surely was a very different styled wine, but still not jammy and hot, as a matter of fact this was elegant, and pure with a graceful mouth feel. Nicely balanced great black fruits abounded. Slight cassis made this a winner for me and an early WOTN. Which became the night’s No. 2 for me. Glad I have more. 93/100
2004 Heathcote II – Medicinal. So much so I could not bring the glass to my mouth, but when I did I squinted and quivered. N/R
2004 Wild Duck Creek – Great nose, Super red fruits with some tar, cherries, and slight cocoa. A great balance of purity/tannins/and acid made this a WOW wine for me. No perceptible heat to speak of and a long finish made this the WOTN…easily.94/100
2005 Terlato & Chapoutier lieu dit Malakoff- Yeah, the French influence was showing big-time here. I wish it had more stuffing. I found it a bit jammy. I immediately thought Cotes du Rhone. I wish I could have believed Cote Rotie instead. 87/100

2005 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Hudson Vineyards USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros (2/18/2008)

($49.99) Dark with crimson edges, Great nose of blueberry, cracked white pepper, some boysenberry and graphite. The palate had the blueberry pie, the boysenberry, tar, some cedar box, and bacon fat. This needed about an hour to shine, although I liked it out of the bottle. I find there is a real change from moment to moment (hour to hour?) when a quality Syrah is opened...more so than say a Cabernet or Pinot. This had wonderful body. Not the most elegant Syrah I have had, but no brute either. This has the stuffing to go the distance & some bottle time should make this even better. A long finish completed the whole experience. I would wait at least a year to touch one again. (91 /100)

2001 Worthy Sophia's Cuvée (USA, California, Napa Valley)

2/16/2008 rated 92 points: Double decanted back into the bottle 2 hours previous. Initially very profound deep velvety dark fruits and wonderful length. After 2 hours: Ultra dark and brooding. The nose was very restrained: some cassis, some blackberries. The palate revealed amazing refined dark fruits. Initially somewhat astringent, but after a few hours opened to a lovely cedar box & tobacco. After 4 hours this rocked into a medley of pure fruit, smooth body, and refined elegance. This did not dissapoint. Very pure aligned tannins and a long finish completed the package. Lots of life left in this.V ery unlike any Sophies that came after (I have had the 2002, and the 2003. Glad I have more. WOTN