CT Texas III Offline

Galveston, TX
Tasted Saturday, November 19, 2011 by cartime with 738 views

Introduction

An amazing time with new friends and some truly impressive wines. Hopefully the first of many for me.

Flight 1 - Sparklers (3 Notes)

Flight 2 - Whites (9 Notes)

  • 2004 Albert Boxler Riesling Sommerberg Eckberg 93 Points

    France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

    Ripe stone fruit, petrol, smoky minerals, and some slight oxidative notes. Lots of ripe apricot on the palate, giving this a bit more sweetness than anticipated. Drinking great right now immediately after opening. Liked this a lot.

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  • 2008 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 94 Points

    France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru

    Very tight on opening, with citrus pith, chalky minerals, and laser acidity dominating. After 2 hours of decanting, this developed a stone fruit, orange, and red grapefruit nose with a funky, earthy edge to it. Peach and Meyer lemon on the palate with earthy minerals and oaky spice. Great length.

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  • 2008 Enkidu Sauvignon Blanc Kick Ranch 88 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Ripe gooseberry, grapefruit, floral nose with a ripe citrus, Red Bull palate. Comes across a bit too sweet for my tastes and seems to be lacking a bit in acidity and minerality.

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  • 2009 Zepaltas Sauvignon Blanc 90 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Lake County

    Definitely a New World expression of SB, but the ripeness is kept in check and there is some great minerality that really comes out with food. I'll be looking to try this again in the future.

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  • 2005 Didier Dagueneau Pur Sang 93 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé

    Really interesting Pouilly-Fumé with ripe white peach, tons of citrus, flinty minerals, and hay. Great acidity and length. I thought think this could be even better with a couple more years.

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  • 2004 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Melon, nectarine, grassy herbs, and almonds. Nice balance. I'm guessing this is drinking at or close to peak now.

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  • 2008 Dascomb Cellars Roussanne 90 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    Ripe stone fruit and vanilla aromas with a smooth, rich palate. Nice acid.

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  • 2004 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Absolutely loved this. Like GG, I also got apple pie on the nose along with lemon cream and vanilla. A rich, mouth-filling palate with amazing balance and excellent acidity. I will definitely start buying some of this.

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  • 2008 Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Seasmoke 92 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

    Ripe lemon, tree fruits, and oaky spice. Much more balanced than Sweeney Canyon or Mt. Carmel from the same vintage - definitely my favorite of the three. This came across very elegant with nice acid even with the very rich fruit and relatively heavy oak.

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Flight 3 - Reds (4 Notes)

  • 1973 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Amazing to me that this wine is showing so well right now. Herbal, blackberry nose with hints of Bret and old leather. Resolved tannins, but still great acidity. The oldest Cab I've tasted, but so much more alive than others I've had with 10 or 15 years less on them. A great experience, my WOTN and probably my WOTY.

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  • 1975 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    This was also showing very well, just not as amazing as the '73. Lighter in concentration, with herbal, red currant flavors. Very nice acidity and still has plenty of life left.

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  • 1976 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Bosché 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

    Herbal, funky, red fruited. A little tired. Past it's prime, to be sure, but I thought this was still giving some pleasure.

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  • 2005 Sine Qua Non Grenache Atlantis Fe2O3~2a, b & c 93 Points

    USA, California

    Despite my high score, this was a bit of a disappointment. I guess was just hoping I'd appreciate it more - this just doesn't really suit my palate. I feel like there's so much material and fruit here, that I could wait my entire life for this to peak and I still wouldn't make it. I also feel like maybe there isn't enough structure to keep this going as long as the raw material requires. But what do I know? I do know this. This was very yummy in a hedonistic, lush, rich, mind-blowing way, and there is obvious talent in the winemaking. Hence the score. I just prefer things to be more elegant and subtle - I mean, what could I pair this with? The flavors were complex and I mostly got raspberry, blueberry, smokey spices, and game. I'd be curious to see what I think about this 10 years down the line.

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