The nose is slightly shy, but has a nice rich quality that's echoed on the palate. Much more weight than a straight Chablis, with a kiss of oaky richness. My main criticism is a lack of acidity, which is one of the reasons I love Chablis. It was served a little warm, so that could have been the problem. Still, elegant and tasty. The others thought it was a bit over the hill, and there was a little bit of nutty oxidatation, but it's still drinking well in my book.
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
Omfg, this was good. In fact, I think it was the best Pinot I've ever had. Complex seems too small a word. The nose starts off exploding with pencil shavings and toasty oak, with high-toned red fruits. On the palate, the mouthfeel was stunning. The glycerin coats the tongue and makes it feel almost like sloshing jelly around. That's not to say this is a ripe fruit bomb, though. There's no alcohol heat (unlisted percentage), and the fruit is a background player to all of the earthy barnyardy goodness that's taken over. And the acidity. Oh, the acidity. High-toned, and it cuts like a knife through the rich mouthfeel. There's no strong tannin presence, but with the acid, it doesn't need it. This wine is the complete package, and is everything I love about Pinot, even though it tastes nothing like a stereotypical California style. Yum.
My heart sank as I grabbed a sip upon opening - TCA on the nose and finish. But after decanting this for four hours and swirling with some Saran Wrap (superstition or science, I don't care, as long as it saves the bottle!), it was in much better shape. By the time we drank it, there was hardly a hint of it.
This is classic high-end Napa Cab all the way, in the modern ripe style. Insert all of the cliché descriptors here. Good structure, and this is really singing right now, especially with some decanting. I'm a little worried about its ageability, especially at 15% alcohol, but I'm sure this will be better in a couple years at least. Nice stuff.
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Wow, this is one unique wine. This has personality in spades. On the nose, gym sock leads, with some bacon, poop and barnyard thrown in for good measure. On the palate, more of the same, with black fruit but not at all overripe. Has some of the Northern Rhone style, but with a definite new world twist.
France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru
After listening to my friends rave about this bottle, I've finally found a Loire dessert wine that really gets along with my palate! Medium sweetness, good acid, super-elegant, no pears in sight. A little like a Sauternes with less heat. The Tokaji was the lovable but obnoxious drunk guy at a dive bar, while this is wearing a suit and tie at a classy restaurant. Great stuff.
This wine is a pipe bomb (tobacco, that is). Both on the nose and the palate. It's almost one-dimensional with it, but it's got some smokiness and a honeyed boytritis yumminess. Not super-sweet, and ok acidity.
2003 Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis Grand Cru Bougros 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru
The nose is slightly shy, but has a nice rich quality that's echoed on the palate. Much more weight than a straight Chablis, with a kiss of oaky richness. My main criticism is a lack of acidity, which is one of the reasons I love Chablis. It was served a little warm, so that could have been the problem. Still, elegant and tasty. The others thought it was a bit over the hill, and there was a little bit of nutty oxidatation, but it's still drinking well in my book.
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2005 Miner Family Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard 96 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
Omfg, this was good. In fact, I think it was the best Pinot I've ever had. Complex seems too small a word. The nose starts off exploding with pencil shavings and toasty oak, with high-toned red fruits. On the palate, the mouthfeel was stunning. The glycerin coats the tongue and makes it feel almost like sloshing jelly around. That's not to say this is a ripe fruit bomb, though. There's no alcohol heat (unlisted percentage), and the fruit is a background player to all of the earthy barnyardy goodness that's taken over. And the acidity. Oh, the acidity. High-toned, and it cuts like a knife through the rich mouthfeel. There's no strong tannin presence, but with the acid, it doesn't need it. This wine is the complete package, and is everything I love about Pinot, even though it tastes nothing like a stereotypical California style. Yum.
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2005 Sanford Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
Solid wine, in the typical California Pinot style. Fairly rich, some cola and ripe red fruit, pleasant if lacking in structure.
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2004 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 95 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
My heart sank as I grabbed a sip upon opening - TCA on the nose and finish. But after decanting this for four hours and swirling with some Saran Wrap (superstition or science, I don't care, as long as it saves the bottle!), it was in much better shape. By the time we drank it, there was hardly a hint of it.
This is classic high-end Napa Cab all the way, in the modern ripe style. Insert all of the cliché descriptors here. Good structure, and this is really singing right now, especially with some decanting. I'm a little worried about its ageability, especially at 15% alcohol, but I'm sure this will be better in a couple years at least. Nice stuff.
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2007 Cayuse Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard 92 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Wow, this is one unique wine. This has personality in spades. On the nose, gym sock leads, with some bacon, poop and barnyard thrown in for good measure. On the palate, more of the same, with black fruit but not at all overripe. Has some of the Northern Rhone style, but with a definite new world twist.
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2002 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru 95 Points
France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru
After listening to my friends rave about this bottle, I've finally found a Loire dessert wine that really gets along with my palate! Medium sweetness, good acid, super-elegant, no pears in sight. A little like a Sauternes with less heat. The Tokaji was the lovable but obnoxious drunk guy at a dive bar, while this is wearing a suit and tie at a classy restaurant. Great stuff.
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2001 Kereskedőház Tokaji Aszú 4 Puttonyos 91 Points
Hungary, Tokaji
This wine is a pipe bomb (tobacco, that is). Both on the nose and the palate. It's almost one-dimensional with it, but it's got some smokiness and a honeyed boytritis yumminess. Not super-sweet, and ok acidity.
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