| | It was great as always getting together with the Columbus crowd, and it was a special pleasure having ProfB join us from Indy. The tentative theme was GSM blends but of course there were some extra bottles thrown in, a couple of which were the highlights of the evening. - 2007 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Pleasant aromas of quince, lemon, & flowers. The palate largely matched, with all of the above and the addition of a saline note. This had noticeable malolactic fermentation & time in oak- in general I'm not a malolactic fan but this wine is balanced with an enjoyable mid-length finish. (90 pts.)
- 1993 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
This poured a hazy red-orange color, likely due to sediment disturbed from transport. The nose had soft fruit, raspberry in particular, along with a bit of charcoal and something reminiscent of citrus peel. The palate was a bit citrusy, some acid, no detectable tannins. A fairly short finish. This improved dramatically with some charcuterie/cheese it was served with, which brought out the soft fruit flavors and a pleasant funkiness. 87 points without accompaniments, 90 with. Drink now if you have any. (88 pts.)
- 1994 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
This was tied for 2nd-place wotn for most at the tasting. A nice meaty, peppery nose with a touch of dark fruit along with a hint of mint. The palate again had black pepper up front, some ash, and a coolness that wasn't minty but definitely present, maybe cool fruit. Medium acid/tannin/finish. Still tasted fresh but drinking well now; I wouldn't hold any remaining in the cellar. (91 pts.)
- 2008 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
This has a nice nose- dark, slightly sweet fruit, red licorice, no funk as was seen in earlier vintages. No brett. The palate also had deep, dark fruit, with medium acid/tannins/finish. Approachable now but should easily last several more years, though with the fruit-forward approach I don't know if it will improve much. (90 pts.)
- 2007 Château de Beaucastel Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet de Beaucastel - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
I wasn't a huge fan of this, consistent with most of the 07's I've tried. The nose had jammy fruit with a hint of grilled meat. The palate also had red/dark jammy fruit and a hint of mint. Hardly any acidity, medium tannins and a mid-length but hot finish. Drink now, I don't see this improving with additional age. (87 pts.)
- 2010 Stefania Nueva Casa de los Padres - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
My second bottle of this, I will age my others further to see how they evolve though it's tasty now. Cool red fruits on both the nose and palate, along with florals and a bit of citrus rind. Nice acidity, light but noticeable tannins and a short but pleasant finish. (89 pts.)
- 2004 Burge Family Clochemerle - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
This was surprisingly better & more balanced than most Aussie wines I've had recently, which is a pleasant surprise. The nose has a nice red cherry note with red licorice and a hint of salinity. The flavors are bight, also highlighting red fruit, a bit jammy but far less than many Aussie wines. Well balanced overall, with noticeable acidity, medium tannins, and a pleasantly long finish that is still fresh/bright even with almost 10 years of age. Drink now or over the next 2-3 years. (91 pts.)
- 2006 Saxum James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
The nose was nice & meaty along with some blackberry jam. The palate was noticeably hot up front, though balanced overall given its 16.6% abv. Very dark fruit flavors, meaty, with huge tannins, light acidity, and a medium-length finish. (91 pts.)
- 2006 Saxum 32 Month Barrel Age James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
This was compared side-by-side with the regular 06 James Berry. The extended oak influence made this noticeably different from the regular bottling. This showed a very balanced nose with red/dark fruit, meat and vanilla. The palate had tons of cream soda up front, thanks to the oak, but also showed a mix of red/dark fruit, more woody notes from the oak, and light acid, medium acid and a long, creamy finish to round it out. (91 pts.)
- 2004 Agharta Wines Black Label - USA, California, North Coast
I really enjoyed this wine's aromas- a nice mix of red & dark fruit, some herbs, cured meat and a touch of heat. The palate largely matched the nose from a flavor standpoint, yet as Nick best put it is a "Tasmanian devil" as it it just huge and out of balance with its oak, tannins and heat. Enjoyable initial attack, massive midpalate, but then a nice finish, lengthy with black fruit, herbs and meat. I would love to try this with still more age and it could be fantastic with more balance, but even at almost 10 years in the balance is lacking though all of the components are there. Nice overall. (92 pts.)
- 2003 Viader V - USA, California, Napa Valley
From 375. The nose had sweet red cassis, red cherry, cocoa and herbs. The palate showed all of that along with some spice. Drying tannins but a smooth, long finish. There was just a touch of heat present but overall the wine was very balanced. (92 pts.)
- 1998 Anton Zimmermann Bernkastel-Kueser Weisenstein Riesling Auslese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
The nose smells dry but has nice notes of citrus and stone fruit. The palate has a touch of sweetness, not as much as I'm used to in many Auslese. That being said, the flavors of stone fruit, pear and citrus are still youthful/fresh. A very long stone fruit-driven finish with nice acidity rounds it out. (90 pts.)
- 1996 Château d'Yquem - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Thanks to Nick for the opportunity to try this. My first d'Yquem and a very special wine. Thick, rich aromatics of honey, peach, apricot and a whisper of citrus. The palate is a touch viscous but not at all cloying. The flavors mirror the aromas perfectly, paired with a full body, good acidity, fantastic balance and a finish that went on and on. Truly a pleasure to drink. (95 pts.)
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