anthonyiezzi Birthday Dinnner

Quite few of us online wine lovers along with some family and friends all got together on Saturday night, July 15th, to celebrate anthonyiezzi's birthday. Our venue for this dinner was Tre Vigne in Basking Ridge, NJ. We were promptly seated in the upstairs area just outside the bar at two different tables. All of the food was very good to excellent and the service was very good throughout dinner. I believe we paid $10.00 a bottle corkage fee for the twelve wines we opened during dinner.

As best as I can recall in attendance were anthonyiezzi, PURPLE, crafty, Aunt Mooshka, MudPuppy, budman, tbird, Lou Briccant plus several friends and family.

Wines were split evenly between tables but I believe most people got to taste most of the wines.

Before heading to the restaurant most of us gathered in the hotel lobby and had a little "happy hour" consisting of 4 very different whites. The order is for my tasting of the wines.

• 2003 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  WIML94,WA96,NOWS
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Dark yellow color in the glass, slightly cloudy throughout. Nose of lemon, crème, pear and nutmeg. Flavors of apples, pears and vanilla. Medium acidity, medium to full bodied. Drink over the short to mid term. No value recommendation.

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• 2005 Herb Lamb Sauvignon Blanc EII Napa Valley White Wine 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  WIML90,NOWA,NOWS
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Light straw to straw color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of gooseberries, grapefruit and lychee. Flavors of grapefruit, lime and passion fruit. Medium acidity. Light bodied. Slightly on the tart side when first opened but settled in a little with some time in glass. Drink over the short term. No value recommendation.

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• 2004 Didier Dagueneau Pur Sang 91 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé

  WIML91,NOWA,NOWS
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Reidel Vinum Cabernet glass. Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of passion fruit, lime, acacia flowers and grapefruit. Flavors of kiwi, peach, a little pineapple and some lime notes. Good, clean acidity that is refreshing on the palate. Medium bodied. Drink over the short term. No value recommendation.

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• 2005 Melville Chardonnay Estate Clone 76 - Inox 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  WIML91,NOWA,NOWS
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of pears, yellow apples, wet stone, a little mix of spice and some floral elements. Flavors of yellow apples, pinepples, pears and mineral. Medium acidity, medium to full bodied. Drink over the short to mid term. No value recommendation.

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These 12 wines were all tasted at the restaurant. The wines were roughly split between the two tables and then shared back and forth throughout the evening. The order of the wines is how I tasted them.

• 1999 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  WIML94,WA95,WS94
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty throughout. Nose of red berries, red cherries, a little leather that blew off with time and some red currants that show up to take its’ place. Flavors of red berries, red cherries and raspberries. Medium acidity with integrated tannins. Medium bodied. Drank solid and held it’s own for over 2-1/2 hours. This is a solid wine. Can be drank now with maybe an hour in the decanter or held for years to come. No value recommendation.

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• 1993 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  WIML92,WA93,WS91
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Titan Cabernet glass. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of cedar, mineral, kirsch and blackberries. Flavors of blackberries, black cherries, red licorice and red cherries. Medium acidity, silky to integrated tannins. Full bodied. Can be drank now with a little decanter time or held. No value recommendation.

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• 1993 Staglin Family Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  WIML90,WA88,WS89
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Served from Magnum. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of cedar, white pepper, melted red licorice and dried herbs. Flavors of Bing cherries, red berries, red licorice and red cherries. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins. Can be drank now with decanting or should hold for a while. Would be interesting to taste this out of 750ml right now. No value recommendation.

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• 2003 Neal Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Dust 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  WIML92,NOWA,NOWS
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Titan Cabernet glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of melted black licorice, “Rutherford dust”, black beries and potpourri. Flavors of black licorice, Bing cherry, currants and sweet red cherries. Came across as just a little on the “jammy” side. Medium acidity, firm yet integrated tannins on this youthful wine. Full bodied. I’d recommend holding 3-4 years before trying again. No value recommendation.

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• 2002 Robert Foley Claret 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  WIML95,WA95,WS96
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of cocoa powder, smoke, dark berries, black cherries and maybe just a smidge of blueberries. Flavors of kirsch, chocolate, anise and a mix of berries. Medium acidity with firm tannins. About as full bodied as they come. Recommend holding for at least 3-4 years before trying again. No value recommendation.

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• 2003 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc 90 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma

  WIML90,WA90,WS91
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Titan Cabernet glass. Purple color in the glass, slightly cloudy throughout. Nose of violets, cocoa, anise and a little thistle. Flavors of red berries and a smidge of cocoa powder. Came across as just a touch “green”. Medium acidity, medium tannins. Medium to full bodied. Drink over the short term. No value recommendation. NOTE: never pour this after a bruiser like the Foley Claret at the same tasting or a big Aussie Shiraz. It won’t show well!

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• 2002 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  WIML90,WA90,WS91
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Titan Cabernet glass. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of “green beans” (not in a “bad” way). Also some red cherries and red berries. Nose was a little closed to me. Flavors of red cherries, red berries and red currants. Light to medium acidity. Light to medium tannins. Medium bodied. Fairly well integrated and balanced overall. Drink over the short to mid term. No value recommendation.

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• 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat Vall Llach 94 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  WIML94,WA96,WS95
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Titan Cabernet glass. Purple to dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of allspice, dried herbs, a floral element, some blackberries and kirsch. Still a little tight on the nose in my opinion. Could probably improve with time. Flavors of red berries, red currants and some cherries. Once again, a little “closed” on the palate, not giving away a lot quite as yet. Medium acidity, firm yet integrated tannins. Medium bodied. Definitely hold for at least 3-4 years before tasting again. No value recommendation.

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• 2002 Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Estate 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  WIML94,WA95,NOWS
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Dark purple to almost crimson color in the glass, still fairly clear throughout. Nose of dark cocoa/chocolate, blackberries, melted black licorice and asphalt. Flavors of black licorice, black cherries and some black pepper. Medium acidity with firm tannins. Full bodied. Seemed to be a little hot to me. Recommend holding a few years before trying again. No value recommendation.

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• 2002 Noon Eclipse 93 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  WIML93,WA97,NOWS
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Dark purple to crimson color in the glass, clear throughout. Pretty tight nose giving up a little mix berries, spice box and some saddle soap. Flavors of chocolate covered cherries, red currants and red licorice. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins. Full bodied. Came across as a little hot in my opinion. I’d recommend holding a few years before trying again and probably planning on at least an hour in the decanter at that. No value recommendation.

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• 2002 Peter Michael Les Pavots 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

  WIML93,WA98,WS88
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and used the “Mark Neal Decanting Method” before serving about an hour later in a Reidel Vinum Cabernet glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. At first a little bell pepper on the nose that eventually gave way to some flowers, roasted meat and black cherries. Flavors of sweet cherries, red berries and currants. Medium acidity with medium tannins. Medium bodied. I’d definitely recommend holding this wine. It probably has lot’s to offer down the road. No value recommendation.

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• 2001 Shafer Relentless Flawed

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  WIMLNR,WA91,WS93
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum glass. I think this bottle was opened and about half gone for about an hour before I finally got to it. Still had a nose of brett to me, maybe even a slight whiff of rancid meat. Beyond that I think I could get some bacon fat or maybe roasted meat or perhaps some coffee. I really don’t know. Being brave or insane I actually took a little sip and although it wasn’t bad it was mostly dominated by red berries with an almost “flat” presence on the palate. This was anything but what I remember my last 2001 Relentless to be. I personally think this was a flawed bottle. Therefore no rating or value recommendation.

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After the dinner was over most of us reconvened at the hotel lobby and had 7 or so wines as a night cap before calling it an end to a fantastic evening.

• 2003 Drinkward Peschon Cabernet Sauvignon Entre Deux Mères 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  WIML89,WA91,NOWS
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of bell peppers, menthol and maybe some dark fruits. Flavors of red cherries and red currants dominate. Medium acidity, medium tannins. Medium bodied as well. I felt like this was a poor performance for the DP. I’d recommend holding about a year to let this round out in bottle more. No value recommendation.

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• 2002 Harris Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon LTD Limited Reserve Jake's Creek Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  WIML90,NOWA,NOWS
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Dark purple color in the glass, slightly opaque. Nost of cedar, smoke, pepper, plums and blackberries. Flavors of black cherries, blackberries, black licorice and black currants. Medium acidity with medium tannins. Medium bodied as well. I’d recommend holding a year or two before trying again. No value recommendation.

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• 2002 Shirvington Shiraz 92 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  WIML92-93,WA99,NOWS
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Crimson color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of graham crackers, maybe even smores, with some licorice and potpourri. Flavors of blueberries, dark chocolate, black cherries and blackberries. Medium acidity with medium tannins. Full bodied. Lost maybe a step since the last tasting. I’d recommend holding a year to see if maybe it’s just at an awkward stage. No value recommendation.

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• 2004 Copain Syrah Cailloux & Coccinelle 92 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  WIML92,WA95,NOWS
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of bell pepper, coffee, pepper, spices and a mix of berries. Flavors of blackberries, mineral and coffee. Medium acidity, medium tannins. Full bodied. No value recommendation.

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• 2002 Craneford Merlot John Zilm 90 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  WIML90,WA95?,NOWS
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of bell pepper (again, wondering about my glass about now!) with some roasted fennel and scorched earth (I love that term). Flavors of red berries, mocha and brown spices. Medium acidity, medium tannins. Light to medium bodied. Drink over the short to mid term. Probably needs retasting. No value recommendation.

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• 2002 Robert Biale Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard Flawed

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  WIMLNR,WA94,WS87?
  
  Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Nose smelled like brett to me (PURPLE picked up “vegetal”) so no rating or value recommendation.

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• 2001 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I brought this one to the after party but unfortunately it evaporated right before my eyes before I could get a taste! I understand it was quite good. Looked to me like it's blowing quite a bit of sediment at this time.

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Many thanks to MudPuppy for making the arrangments with the restaurant. It was a great time had by all!