San Antonio Wine Geeks - Chardonnay night (mostly)

The Monterey
Tasted Friday, January 14, 2011 by Nutty08 with 690 views

Introduction

Great hosting by the Monterey, a new place in town that is fast becoming my favorite restuarant, for the wine and food.

Flight 1 (7 Notes)

  • 2008 Kongsgaard Chardonnay 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Buttery oaky tropical fruit nose that was quite intoxicating. Big palate, lush and mouth coating with low acidity and a slightly heavy feel, with dense concentrated ripe fruits that continue on through a long finish. No hard edges and highly polished. I really liked this, though the Aubert’s were a level above.

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  • 2007 Chasseur Chardonnay Green Acres Hill Sangiacomo Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

    Not a producer I was familiar with. Tight nose, with a mineral element, ripe tropical fruit flavors with a hint of pineapple, pomegranate and apricot. Long finish with a hint of bitterness to the oak. Nice acidity, needs some time. Will look forward to more of these in the future.

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  • 2005 Aubert Chardonnay Reuling Vineyard 95 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Quite an experience. Popped and poured. I preferred it right after opening, as the fruit faded slightly and the oak became more prominent. Nose of lemon zest, lime, and creamy vanilla. An explosion of ripe fruits on the palate, densely concentrated, with a round, lush, velvety mouthfeel, but lithe and balanced without any sense of heaviness. Just glides across the palate. Incredibly long complex finish with a mineral note coming through. Delicious chardonnay that is probably the best cali chardonnay iv even had.

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  • 2005 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard 94 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Where the Reuling was a rock concert on this night, the Lauren was more like a symphony. Nose was more expressive, with a stony, creamy vanilla character, with lemon and apricot notes. Subtle, where the Reuling was flamboyant. Great burst of wet stone and rock on the palate, that carries on through a lengthy finish. Again, great acidity and mouthfeel—seamless. Dialed down a bit compared to the Reuling, but while I preferred the style, might have found more complexity in this more subtle wine in a more laid back atmosphere, with more time to spend with the wine.

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  • 2007 Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Walker Station 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    More prominent acidity than the other Chards, with a more prominent citrus element and a creamier oak character. Had a warm tropical fruit profile and was noticeably concentrated. Missed any mineral character, but it was served quite cold and didn’t get to spend much time with it. Even so, was quite good.

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  • 2006 Sine Qua Non Autrement Dit 75 Points

    USA, California

    I really didn’t get this wine. Maybe was better closer to release? Very concentrated frit with lots of heat and a medicinal note on the nose that was detectable in the palate and off-putting. Some strawberry mixed in. Had trouble getting it down. Overdone or over the hill, or both. Also could have been served too warm.

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  • 2009 Herb Lamb Sauvignon Blanc EII Napa Valley White Wine 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Grassy mineral nose, with good fruit and a nice mineral tone underneath. Would be great with food, but didn’t care for it alone (not unusual for me and sav blanc). But, varietally correct with good balance and refreshing acidity.

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Flight 2 (6 Notes)

  • 2004 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Laurence 95 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Everything you want from a CdP. Decanted 2hrs for sediment and placed back in the bottle uncorked for another 2hrs prior to tasting. Expressive deep nose, with some dried fruit, black cherry and cassis, with some garrigue and leather. Palate had polished dark fruits, with more spice than barnyard, lovely acidity and depth, and some fine tannins that dried out the tongue. Finish was longhty and complex, with sandlewood, leather, and exotic spices. This was really showing well, and everything I want in a CdP, with lovely spice notes mixed in with dense concentrated fruit. No hints of heat at all, Pegau continues to perform very well from the ’04 vintage. I wish I’d had a Reserve bottling more recently to compare styles, other than a little more concentrated fruit I’m not sure I appreciate much style difference. This is approachable with a good decant, but I don’t think near peak yet.

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  • 2001 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 92 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    decanted 1 hr for sediment, then returned to bottle uncorked for another 1hr until served. Very expressive nose, initially had an acetone character that blew off after an hour. Liquor-like dried fruit nose, darker fruit profile than the Pegau-more prunes and violets than cherry and cassis with a slightly medicinal/band aid note than I didn’t really care for. Dense concentrated fruit palate, with asian spices, nice acidity and mouthcoating palate. A little tar rounded out the finish, of good length and complexity. Seemed rather high in alcohol, though no heat and never seemed heavy on the palate. Paled compared to the Pegau Laurence, but a CdP at its peak I think. This producer continues to perform very well for the price.

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  • 2008 Aubert Pinot Noir UV Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Decanted on arrival. Fresh nose of black cherry, licorice, with a touch of a meaty note. Big ripe palate of mostly cherry notes. Didn’t get much acidity or tannic backbone, but the wine wasn’t flabby. Quite concentrated, with a creamy vanilla finish. High toned and delicate with a little heat on the back end. Was strikingly similar to the ’08 Dumol RRV. Fine, but not exciting. Probably needs some time.

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  • 2007 Pax Syrah Cuvée Christine 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    2hrs in the decanter prior to trying. The least expensive of the syrahs tonight and the most accessible. Lovely berry mocha nose. Deep pure berry flavor on the palate, with fine tannins and nice acidity. Medium length fruit finish with a little mocha. Quite good, though noticeably less complex than the other syrahs, but was more enjoyable to drink tonight.

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  • 2008 Jaffurs Syrah Upslope 91 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    2hr decant prior. Initially rather disappointing, but improved through the evening. Deep, dark, slightly sweet nose with currants and cherry, with a raspberry edge that turned floral with time. Berries and mocha rule the palate, which was quite extracted, with coarse tannins. Lengthy fine finish of earth and mocha, vanilla, and plenty of ripe red fruits carrying through. The oak notes seemed intrusive and poorly integrated. The tannic structure seemed rather crass and obtrusive. Despite this, there was much to like, and given the producer/pedigree, I think this just needs some bottle time. 91+ tonight.

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  • 2007 Donelan Syrah Richards Family Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Decanted on arrival and consumed over the next few hrs. Liquor-like nose, with candied fruit, fragrant and floral with a hint of smoke. Highly polished palate, with little detectable tannin or heat, with densely concentrated fruit. Chocolate and espresso on the lengthy finish. I had trouble getting into this, maybe a little overdone? Or just way too young. Others thought this would come together in time. 92+ for now.

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Closing

Impressive lineup of chardonnays, with the Aubert “twins” being my favorites of the night.
The syrahs were interesting, but none had the pepper and earthy feel that I really like in my syrahs. Maybe they were too young and this will come out with time when the baby fat fades
The CdP’s were certainly my red wines of the night, with many in the group liking the Pegau quite a bit. A really spectacular CdP, I’m glad I have 2 more, but wish I could have purchased more at the time.

Big thanks to everyone for their generous contributions, this was certainly a very impressive lineup of wines! Can’t wait till lamb/syrah weekend….

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