Filling in w/the Friday Brown Bag Group

Paul & Alyce's
Tasted Friday, April 1, 2011 by AllRed with 648 views

Flight 1 - I. Warm up whites. (2 Notes)

Paul & Alyce deviated a bit from the traditional still wine warm up, but no complaints here. Both of these were very nice, and particularly good values. I believe our host inidcated each of these could be found under $30.

Flight 2 - II. (5 Notes)

  • 2000 Réserve de la Comtesse 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Deep crimson color. Opens with earth, mushroom and raspberry qualities in the bouquet, and flavors of red fruit and cherry. Evolves in the glass, showing aromas of tobacco and florals- lots of violets. I leaned towards Margaux becuase of the floral qualities, but those eveloved to deep red currant and herb tones. One taster nailed this as Pauillac. Showing very well right now.

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  • 2008 Cameron Hughes Merlot Lot 197 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Garnet color. Initial aromas of clove, spice, cola and raspberry give way to chocolate and red berry aromas. Full bodied, with fairly firm tannins- a bit chewy; flavors of raspberry and red fruit, with oaky spice tones carryign through the finish. Lots of guesses on this one, and we settled on Cabernet almost by default. A big Merlot.

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  • 2006 Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape 90 Points

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

    Crimson/garnet color. Opens with a vegetal quality, almost dill, but that blows off quickly leaving cherry, florals and herb aromas. Red fruit- cherries and currants- dominate the palate, though there's some herbal undertones too, with a subtle spice/pepper quality. Finishes a little shorter than I'd like, but is still very nice. I guessed CdP here, though a few others were shocked when this was revealed.

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  • 2000 Roc de Cambes 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Côtes de Bourg

    Dark crimson color. Notes of black fruit, herbs and earth. Flavors of dark fruit, currants and earth. Elegant.

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  • 2005 Wolf Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Phaedrus 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    Deep color. Initial aromas of dill and black fruit turn to herbs, currants and maybe some vanilla. Velevty tannins with loads of red fruit on the palate. Has an elegance to it.

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Flight 3 - III. (4 Notes)

  • 2006 Pillar Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

    Dark crimson color. Aromas of red and black fruits mixed with herbal qualities. Flavors of currants, black cherry, with fine-grained tannins.

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  • 2005 Realm Cellars The Tempest 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Opaque inky red color. Notes of dill and black fruit, develops sme floral qualities in the glass. Tannins are a bit chewy; flavors of dark fruit- currants and plum, also black cherry. Has a "shallow" feeling though, especially compared to the others in the flight.

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  • 2002 Paloma Merlot 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

    Deep color with smoky herb and dark frut aromas. Tannins are integrating though still quite evident. Flavors of caramel, blue fruit and oak. Finishes nicely. I did not pick this out as a Merlot.

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  • 2005 Mollydooker Shiraz Carnival of Love 92 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

    Opaque inky black color. Notes of vanilla, blackberry and chocolate. Full bondied with broad tannins and favors of chocolate and blue fruit; long, lush finish. 92+ pts.

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Flight 4 - IV. Bonus (1 Note)

Paul brought out a blind bonus wine after the tasting ended. I remarked that the "only time I had encountered such a heavy bottle was with the Neal Family single vineyard cabernets." Paul and I then engaged in conversation about Mark's wines. That alone should have tipped me off that this a Neal. I've got one bottle of this, and damn, how I wish I had a few more.

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