Deliciously crisp. A very solid sparkler firmly in the brut Champagne mold. This one is a little more one-dimensional in the lemon department than the last bottle, but it still hit the spot.
Dark and brooding nose, with lots of graphite and some oak. On the palate, a very graceful and feminine expression of Cabernet. Very classic, almost Napa style. Elegant.
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
I was super-excited about this one, but my palate just didn't click with it. I don't know if it's past its prime, but the structure just wasn't there, almost no tannins left. Still a good amount of fruit, balanced with an odd vegetal funk. Incredibly interesting, though.
We killed a baby tonight. It's far too early to give a good review on this. Spectator gave it a 97, and while I'm not sure where they're getting that, this is a solid and very interesting wine. The nose is bizarre - there's the fumes from alcohol, but no other traces of ripeness. Very light and floral, with bubble gum and candy. On the palate, the restraint continues. More grapey than red or black fruit. Medium tannins and body, medium+ acid. Someone guessed partial carbonic maceration, and I think they might be totally right. There was disagreement on the aging - most of us thought it would last a decade, but one thought it'd be dead in two years. My only complaint, and it's a fairly big one, is the amount of bitter burnt oak. That yanked the score down quite a bit for me. I have hope that it'll mellow out, though.
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills
Another great wine by CSM! It was described accurately as a baby Quarts de Chaume. Not super-complex, but balanced sweetness, just enough acidity to keep it honest, a great mouthfeel and a super-high delicious factor.
NV Moët & Chandon Champagne Brut Impérial 90 Points
France, Champagne
High delicious factor, unburdened by unnecessary complexity. A definite dose of sweet, so don't get this expecting a brut.
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2000 Mumm Napa DVX 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Deliciously crisp. A very solid sparkler firmly in the brut Champagne mold. This one is a little more one-dimensional in the lemon department than the last bottle, but it still hit the spot.
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2001 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cépages 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County
Dark and brooding nose, with lots of graphite and some oak. On the palate, a very graceful and feminine expression of Cabernet. Very classic, almost Napa style. Elegant.
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2000 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Cuvée du Papet 89 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
I was super-excited about this one, but my palate just didn't click with it. I don't know if it's past its prime, but the structure just wasn't there, almost no tannins left. Still a good amount of fruit, balanced with an odd vegetal funk. Incredibly interesting, though.
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2005 Bodega Numanthia Toro Termes 89 Points
Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
A solid wine, but nothing life-changing. One-dimensional oaky red fruit.
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2008 Owen Roe Syrah Red Willow Vineyard Chapel Block 93 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
We killed a baby tonight. It's far too early to give a good review on this. Spectator gave it a 97, and while I'm not sure where they're getting that, this is a solid and very interesting wine. The nose is bizarre - there's the fumes from alcohol, but no other traces of ripeness. Very light and floral, with bubble gum and candy. On the palate, the restraint continues. More grapey than red or black fruit. Medium tannins and body, medium+ acid. Someone guessed partial carbonic maceration, and I think they might be totally right. There was disagreement on the aging - most of us thought it would last a decade, but one thought it'd be dead in two years. My only complaint, and it's a fairly big one, is the amount of bitter burnt oak. That yanked the score down quite a bit for me. I have hope that it'll mellow out, though.
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2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Chenin Blanc Late Harvest 91 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills
Another great wine by CSM! It was described accurately as a baby Quarts de Chaume. Not super-complex, but balanced sweetness, just enough acidity to keep it honest, a great mouthfeel and a super-high delicious factor.
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