Provence Restaurant, Albany, NY
Tasted Thursday, September 15, 2011 by kenv with 707 views
My local tasting group got together to taste 2001 California Cabernet Sauvignon blind. We each knew the wine or wines we had brought but nothing else and not which ones our were. The food was once again superb at Provence. The dinner began about 7:30.
You can find photos and more commentary on my website:
http://www.finewinegeek.com/tn/2011-09-15_WCC_2001-Cali-Cab_Provence/
With Madeira and Apple Braised Berkshire Pork Belly with Flageolet Beans.
With Crispy Sweetbread Napoleon with Shiitake Mushroom Duxcelle, Baby Spoon Spinach, Savory Puff Pastry and Roasted Garlic Supreme.
With Honey and Cumin Crusted Magret de Canard, Balsamic Cognac Sauce and a Cauliflower Gratin.
Cheese Course: Cypress Grove Chevre "Humboldt Fog" with Fresh Mission Figs.
2001 is clearly an excellent vintage for California Cabernet (and Merlot!). Modest wines like the Montelena Napa and the Groth Oakville are pleasant and drinking well now. Some of these wines are just stunning now, and I see no reason to wait on wines like the Plumpjack and the Pride, but some still need serious time.
2001 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 87 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
[Decanted for 6 hours.] Ripe tart black and red fruit. Tasty with nice spice and medium body, but clearly not in the same leagues as most of the other wines here this evening. Lacks the depth and richness of the others. 87 points.
Day 3: Fairly thin and tart now. Pleasant, no more. Drink up! 85 points.
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2001 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
[Double decanted at 5pm.] Ripe juicy red fruit. Nice acidity. Medium body. Elegant and balanced. Group #4 WOTN.
Day 3: Thicker, richer, more alcoholic now. A powerhouse. Riveting cherry brandy finish. Should improve for 10-20 years. 94-97 points.
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2001 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
[Double decanted at 11am.] A more complex nose than the previous wines. Coffee, cherries, vanilla. Excellent long sweet fruit. Drinking very well tonight. One of the best for dinner tonight. 93 points. Group #5 WOTN.
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2001 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 95 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
[Double decanted at 8am.] Rich smooth sweet red fruit. A touch of greenness or raw tannins on the finish, but the fruit is long, penetrating, and riveting. A superb wine.
Day 3: More reserved but classic Beringer Private Reserve with great elegance and purity of fruit.
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2001 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 95 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
[Double decanted at 11am.] Smoky red fruit nose. Sweet fruit, but slightly austere tannins. Needs 10 years. Powerful stuff. 94-96 points. One vote for WOTN.
Day 3: More clearly the big brother of Wine #1 (the Napa bottling) now that I taste them side by side.
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