July Wine Tasting, 17 wines, Crystal Lake, IL
NW Suburbs Chicago, Crystal Lake, IL
Tasted Friday, August 11, 2006 by GolferChris with 1,877 views
Introduction
Poured a wide range of value and mid priced wines to friends just getting into wine.
Flight 1 (17 Notes)
Closing
WOTN Tie - V. Sattui Cab and Joel Gott Zin.
2004 Hayman & Hill Pinot Noir Winemaker's Collection Santa Lucia Highlands 89 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
Tough to beat for the price. Nice fruit flavors with a surprising degree of complexity and depth. Mid-bodied pinot with lots of flair for a $10 wine.
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2004 Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc California 89 Points
USA, California
Nice Napa Sauv. Blanc. Aromas/flavors of grass and citrus. Nice clean finish, very good food wine.
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2001 Columbia Crest Merlot Grand Estates 90 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Excellent value Merlot under $10. This effort showcases what Washington state can do with merlot. Lots of deep red fruit with a luxurious mouthfeel and supple but evident tannins. Nice complexity for the price.
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2001 Etude Pinot Noir Estate Carneros 92 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
One of my favorite 2001 Napa Pinots. Gorgeous wine with lots of fruit and a pronouced acidic backbone that balances the wine and creates one of the best food wines around. Bottle after bottle this wine has not disappointed.
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2004 Ngatarawa Sauvignon Blanc Glazebrook 90 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
There is something about New Zealand Sauv. Blancs that always seem to make them taste a bit better than the similar priced Napa version. Pick up a hint of minerality along with lots of citrus and finishes with a clean, refreshing feel. This bottle as good as last one.
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2003 Hogue Cellars Merlot Columbia Valley 89 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
This bottle confirms that the last bottle was no fluke, very good value. Lots of fruit, nice finish and even some depth.
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2004 Columbia Winery Gewürztraminer 89 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Nice value for WA. Gewurtraminer. A tad sweet, but balanced with acidity. Poured this wine at Rehersal dinner and it was a big hit.
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2004 St. Francis Chardonnay 88 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County
Nice value for under $10. Nicely balanced with apples, pears, and peaches, NOT over oaked like so many these days. Pleasant finish.
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2001 Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Still tasting nicely. This is the 4th or 5th bottle of the 2001 that I have consumed and I have been satisfied with every one of them. Great value $10. One of my favorite Cabs from Paso Robles. Consistent quality and value.
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2003 Rosemount Estate Shiraz South Australia 87 Points
Australia, South Australia
Bottle was nearly as good as last one, but I would not wait much longer if you have some to drink. Lots of fruit in this easy drinking shiraz. Good value.
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2002 Buena Vista Pinot Noir Carneros Reserve 88 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Another fine inexpensive pinot. Lots of fruit with a touch of tea and earth in the nose and mouth. Decent complexity for the price.
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2003 Joel Gott Zinfandel Dillian Ranch 93 Points
USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County
This is the third bottle from our case and it truly is a great zin. Perfect balance, lots of complexity and tons of personality, this is one of my favorite Zins. Tied with a higher priced cab as WOTN.
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2004 Woop Woop Shiraz 89 Points
Australia
What's not to like about this wine. Great price, great flavor, under $10. Nice lingering finish that provides a touch of cocoa.
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2001 Starmont Chardonnay 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Excellent under $25 Chard. Pear, apple, and leechee fruit on the nose, with oak joining the party in the mouth. Nice creamy mouthfeel and a richness to the finish.
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2001 Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot 85 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Most disappointing wine of the nite. Epect better wine for the price. Dull fruit and a muddled, short finish. There are many better merlots out there for the money.
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2003 J. Christopher Pinot Noir 92 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Beautiful, complex pinot. Plenty of red fruits, earth, spice along with a elegant, long and lingering finish combine to deliver an excellent pinot.
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2001 V. Sattui Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Preston Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tied fo r WOTN with Joel Gott Dillian Ranch Zinfandel. Excellent example of the quality of California Cabs coming from Rutherford AVA. Beatuifully oaked with red fruit and cocoa on the nose. In the mouth, ample tannins balance out the fruit and the finish gives you the "Rutherford Dust" that the really good wines from this region always deliver. Available only through the winery, which is a shame for those who don't get to Napa.
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