San Antonio Wine Geeks

Wow, this was a crazy night of good wine’s. A great range all over the map, from traditional mature Cali cab, bdx, and young flamboyant modern Cali cab’s and even a Malbec and white Burg thrown in. Food was fantastic, service excellent. Of course the company was excellent, with some very lively opinionated conversation. Usually not about wine.

• 1999 Alfred Gratien Champagne Brut Millésimé 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  (4/14/2012)

  Only a quick taste, but like the last bottle, was taught, with great energy and verve and a refreshing stony finish. Nice Champagne that’s drinking well now. 91

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• 2004 Buisson-Charles Meursault 1er Cru Les Cras 90 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru

  (4/14/2012)

  Really nice wine. Nose with chalk, green apple and hint of a waxy character. Palate was quite round and supple, but still has a tartness with a hint of green. Finishes with green apple and chalk. Nicely focused wine that seems to be opening up. Round palate, I don’t know that I would age this much further, but I have little experience in this region. 90-91

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• 2003 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  (4/13/2012)

  Initially decanted an hour. Dark ruby red color. Delicious nose of smoke, toast, and dark fruit and just a hint of that herbal "greeness" I get with Lalande. Palate is smooth, quite round, showing black cherry and currants--really quite dark in flavor profile, no red fruits to be found. Toast and mocha dominate into the finish where is shows some tar, toast, and roasted espresso. This still has a LOT of oak left to integrate. Plush fruit profile but it's in the background here. The nose is the only thing that reminds me of Lalande here.
  Later in the evening I retried this, and it was much more typical of Lalande, losing the strong toast and roasted notes and showing dark fruit with a delightful herbal streak with hints of tobacco leaf. Really showing well after a few hrs air.

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• 1992 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/14/2012)

  I’ve been lucky enough to try all 3 of Dave’s bottles this year, and this has never disappointed. Fantastic expressive nose of bell pepper, exotic spices, leather, and hint of mink. Palate shows more menthol and dark fruit profile. Finishes with coffee and mint. Smooth round mouthfeel, but still a little tannin in the background. I have to think this is nearing peak, but will be on a nice drinking plateau for some time. 93-95

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• 2002 Dominus Estate 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/14/2012)

  Nose was rather closed initially, but later a touch of vanilla, currants, bell pepper. Palate was rather focused but rather flamboyant in it’s expression black currants with cedar spice and subtle eucalyptus. The finish is where this really shines, still showing plenty of primary fruit, mocha and toast with fine tannins that turn a little dry. Great concentration and balance. Similar profile to the ’92, as I can see the green/herbal notes changing to mint in time, but this seems to have more concentration. Drinking pretty well now but on the upswing. 92-94

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• 2004 Château Hosanna 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  (4/14/2012)

  Rather closed nose, later showed some vanilla and sleek plum and currants. Palate was finely focused, still quite tannic and a little angular and tight. Not giving up much depth. Shows some coffee and dry tannins on the finish. Still needs 5+ years to open up and let the tannins integrate. Should be a solid if not fantastic right bank in time. 89-91

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• 2008 Pisoni Pinot Noir Estate 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  (4/14/2012)

  I was very curious how this would hold up in a lineup of cabs, and how much like Pinot it would taste given the Parker review, but I’ve been a fan of this wine in the past. Big nose, just a hint of cola, but lots of black cherry and a little spice. Palate was quite concentrated and round, but delicious pure red fruits, and while ripe, I was pleased it wasn’t overdone. Lengthy finish with some earthy tones and some fine tannins come through. Big fruit, yes, but hides it’s alcohol well and has great structure underneath. Very well made and much preferred in style to other “big” Cali pinot producers (KB) but still need to be in the mood for it. 92-94

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• 2001 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/14/2012)

  This was a little hard to understand, and the more I tasted the less I liked it. Unique interesting nose, with a hint of “plastic” or “lacquer” that I couldn’t place. This was mixed in with cherry, cassis, licorice and subtle mint and leafy herbs. Palate was sharply defined, rather high toned and strikingly acidic with a “grapey” quality and somewhat superficial feel. Repeating red fruit profile on the palate. Showing chalk, mint, and dry tannins on the finish. Rather angular and lacking elegance. An odd showing. Maybe needs time? 89-91

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• 2005 Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Showket Vineyards 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  (4/14/2012)

  In a style that hard for me to enjoy. Massive wine, with impressive concentration and heavy oak usage. Black fruits, vanilla, fine high quality tannins. Long primary finish. This still seems very tight. Good for the style, but isn’t something I’ll seek out often. Missing some subtle complexity and freshness of the Dominus/Maybach 91-93

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• 2009 Château Boswell Cabernet Sauvignon Jacquelynn Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  (4/14/2012)

  Big rich blackcurrant and vanilla nose. Palate with finely polished tannins, concentrated dark fruit with a bit of cassis to highlight. Quite concentrated, but tight, as it seemed to keep a lot in reserve. Showing oak spice and coffee on a moderate finish. Primary and young, needs to time to come around. Solid, with high quality tannins and good depth, but didn’t distinguish itself. 91-93

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• 2008 Corra Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/14/2012)

  Maybe my favorite of the modern styled Napa cabs. Dark fruit on a shy nose. Palate is highly structured, showing sandy dry tannins on the finish. Has plenty of rich dark fruit, with a touch of herbs and cedar spice. Long finish adding some chocolate overtones. Nicely put together with plenty of structure to age. 93-94

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• 2005 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  (4/14/2012)

  These are always good. Nose of oak spice and bell pepper, with subtle dark fruits. Later was showing a much more typical cassis/black currant profile. Palate was concentrated, but well structured with sweet chalky tannins. Very nice depth to the fruit, balanced and focued, showing lofs of black currants and the slightly hint of pepper. Long finish of cassis and mocha. Oak is integrating nicely (as compared to the Bevan) still primary, with impressive freshness, energy and depth. A 180 in style compared to Dominus but very tasty and a crowd pleaser. 93-94

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• 2008 Luca Malbec 92 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco

  (4/14/2012)

  Really stood out in a sea of cab with it’s high toned fruit and crunchy tannins. Nose of red berries, cassis, cedar. Palate had plenty of energy and acidity, but avoided the overripe jammy fruit of many malbecs. Moderate finish with chewy tannins, and adding a little mocha and cedar. Good concentration but still seems light in the mouth. Oak is there but not overdone.

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• 1985 Fonseca Porto Vintage 92 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  (4/14/2012)

  Great dark fruit with plenty of almond and nutty aromas. Still quite youthful but starting to open up some. Nice balance and concentration. 92-93

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This is a great group. Glad we couldn't finally get everyone together again and big thanks to Chad for setting up the loaction. This was an exceptional night of quality wines that's going to be tough to top. '92 Dominus was my WOTN.