STG does California Cabernet

Seattle
Tasted Tuesday, February 28, 2012 by tarheel17 with 502 views

Flight 1 - Sparkles (2 Notes)

  • 1996 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon

    France, Champagne

    served blind to start
    I could identify it as a champagne compared to the CA sparkler it was up against. This had more minerality, less sweetness, and greater depth. I won't kid myself, however, I had no idea it was 96 Dom. (In my defense, I've only ever had this particular wine once before, and other than that, probably 2 other vintages of Dom ever). After the reveal I let it sit in the glass as we tasted the reds, where it developed more complexity, at least in my head it did.

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  • 2001 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Blancs Late Disgorged 150th Anniversary

    USA, California

    served blind to start
    clearly sweeter than the Champagne, it had that California fruit signature. I still found it taut and precise, though, without flaw. I preferred the Champagne to it, but I didn't think this was an 8$ sparkler, either. then again, when I found out it was $80 list price, I wonder why anyone would choose this over the real deal?

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Flight 2 - Older and Better (4 Notes)

  • 1996 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

    served blind
    nose: minty, eucalyptus notes, but still plummy fruit.
    The palate tasted like a textbook cab, but it did have a lingering soy sauce note that made me mark it as the oldest example in the flight. Well done - definitely pleasurable tonight.

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  • 1997 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain Flawed

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

    the VA was so powerful on this I could not appreciate it. Most others at the table said it was fine, even delicious. Go figure.

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  • 1994 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    served blind
    this was my favorite of the flight. It was very green, with intense tannin, bordeaux-like and oh so elegant. Loved it.

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  • 1999 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

    served blind
    the nose was steeped in caramel, it felt gooey, almost like dessert. I was very hesitant to drink it, suspecting an over-oaked mess.
    However, the palate was amazing. Not the thick, gooey mess I feared, but firm tannin, pure blackberry fruit and an oaky signature that did not overwhelm. A lovely bottle, though for my palate, the Dominus was the winner.

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Flight 3 - Newer (3 Notes)

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