Brought to JohnR's first gathering at his new house as a gift but we popped it first. Always a favorite, pineapple juice, apples, tropical and floral notes with firm acidity. $13 / bottle can't go wrong for a unique Italian white. Gets the coveted WK A rating.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru
Opened two 500 mL bottles of this wine as the first bottle was oxidized in a major way (smelled like yogurt). Second bottle was sound; apples, limes, stonefruit, and mineral nose with less body than expected and a bitter, off-putting "pure lime juice in seltzer water" finish. Carries the curse of 2008 Burgundy and a WK B- rating.
Still had good fruit on the nose, predominately blackberries, backed by oaky cedar but also hints of ethyl acetate. On its last legs but still remarkable amount of black fruit on the palate. Body and finish were very light, glad we drank it when we did. Solid WK B rating for hanging in there all 15 years.
Nice delicate orange-salmon rim in the glass. Seemed closed on the pour and a trip through the vinturi revealed prunes, raspberries, anise, soy sauce, and tobacco. Never really opened up and still seemed really tannic. Not sure on this one but the exceptional vintage suggests that it actually needed more time to breathe then we gave it at the tasting, even after 20 years in bottle. Wish I could have tasted it the next day to confirm.
Double decanted for about 4 hours before tasting. Very tannic, this wine still has quite a bit of stuffing left in it as can be found on the nose. Bright red currants; very fruity and backed by notes of earth and chocolate dust. The palate reveals red and black fruits along with wild berries, with hints of green on the mid-palate, before the tannins start shutting it down. A trip through the vinturi yields more red fruits on the palate but this wine just needs more time for the tannins to drop. The potential is there. Withholding my rating for now.
Decanted for a few hours before tasting. Vanilla, green pepper, and an earthy iron-blood component on the nose which was severely lacking in fruit and brightness. The palate was thin with lots of green and earth; tapenade and green pepper followed by a jalapeno like finish. Grapes obviously had trouble ripening and another reason not to spend $ on 04 Bordeaux. WK C
Pale brickish rim in the glass. Very expressive nose of raspberry liqueur, anise, vanilla, and Belgian candi sryup; very interesting and sweet smelling. The palate was very "sweet" as well- more candy, raspberry vanilla, blue raspberry, raisins, doughnut cream filling, and fruit brandy with a classic Grange black pepper finish. Oddly complex in that it had great depth, development, and hit all areas of the palate but the wine can be summed up as "candy and pepper". Smooth body, smooth finish, soft tannins. NCWino, a Grange expert, says the 89 is better than the 88 and that the 89 is on a plateau, drink soon or it will start going downhill. Definitely unique. WK A-
Cherries, tomato leaf, and appreciable alcohol on the nose (14.8%). Cherries, strawberries, cranberries, and alcohol on the palate, reminds me of a Sea Breeze cocktail. Very much one dimensional upfront red fruits. Not as jammy as the 07. In my opinion a terrible value for what it delivers but I would rather have a red Burg.
Tasted along with the 2006 KB Sonoma Coast. 07 was more jammy and less earthy than the o6, full of cherry jam, strawberry jelly, and plenty of oak vanilla. Oh an don't forget the heat (14.5%).
Double decanted to give the wine some time to breathe. Cherries and anise on the nose with hints of raspberries, sweet cream, and some medicinal tones. Not decanted long enough as the wine was still very tannic with a dry, dusty finish. Noticeable heat on the finish as well (14.1%), with notes of green pepper on the mid-palate before the tannins take over. Definitely needs time to open up so that the fruit can come out or just keep it in the cellar for a few more years.
Second bottle tasted by the NC group, the first back in March 2010. 2/3 CabF and 1/3 Merlot, the same earthy nose was evident as found in that first bottle 2 years ago. Red fruit and "sheep's bunghole" as per JohnR. The palate is still quite tanninc and considering the nose and "burnt" quality, this is likely due to a heavy oak toast regimen. Sour red fruits, anise, and some spice before heat is noticeable on the finish. Its a heavyweight and rough on the palate and not overly complex, lacks development as well. Seemed like it had not changed one bit in the 2 years since the last tasting but if its all oak I wouldn't expect much to change no matter how much time it gains. WK B rating.
Clean red fruits on the nose with hints of cedar, spice, and brown sugar notes. The palate is still very tannic, definitely tooth-coating, with red fruit and some earth starting to emerge. Still needs some time but I think it has potential for the tannins to drop and eventually reveal the clean, bright red fruit. At $20 / bottle its a great value now but will be a steal in a few years when it all comes together. WK Ratings- Style & Quality: B+, Value: A, Overall A-.
Pineapples and honey backed by floral orange blossoms and tropical notes on both the nose and palate. Wasn't overly sweet or cloying, but didn't have the body / acidity of the lower priced Sauternes chateau like Doisy-Vedrines or Giraud. Price is right at $18 for a half-bottle (375 mL). Solid WK B overall rating.
2009 Mandrarossa Fiano Sicilia
Italy, Sicily, Sicilia
Brought to JohnR's first gathering at his new house as a gift but we popped it first. Always a favorite, pineapple juice, apples, tropical and floral notes with firm acidity. $13 / bottle can't go wrong for a unique Italian white. Gets the coveted WK A rating.
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2008 Domaine Matrot Meursault 1er Cru Blagny
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru
Opened two 500 mL bottles of this wine as the first bottle was oxidized in a major way (smelled like yogurt). Second bottle was sound; apples, limes, stonefruit, and mineral nose with less body than expected and a bitter, off-putting "pure lime juice in seltzer water" finish. Carries the curse of 2008 Burgundy and a WK B- rating.
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1997 Burgess Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Selection Library Release
USA, California, Napa Valley
Still had good fruit on the nose, predominately blackberries, backed by oaky cedar but also hints of ethyl acetate. On its last legs but still remarkable amount of black fruit on the palate. Body and finish were very light, glad we drank it when we did. Solid WK B rating for hanging in there all 15 years.
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1961 Château Calon-Ségur
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Wine was dead, like pouring muddy water. Unfortunate.
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1982 Château Calon-Ségur
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Nice delicate orange-salmon rim in the glass. Seemed closed on the pour and a trip through the vinturi revealed prunes, raspberries, anise, soy sauce, and tobacco. Never really opened up and still seemed really tannic. Not sure on this one but the exceptional vintage suggests that it actually needed more time to breathe then we gave it at the tasting, even after 20 years in bottle. Wish I could have tasted it the next day to confirm.
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2000 Château Calon-Ségur
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Double decanted for about 4 hours before tasting. Very tannic, this wine still has quite a bit of stuffing left in it as can be found on the nose. Bright red currants; very fruity and backed by notes of earth and chocolate dust. The palate reveals red and black fruits along with wild berries, with hints of green on the mid-palate, before the tannins start shutting it down. A trip through the vinturi yields more red fruits on the palate but this wine just needs more time for the tannins to drop. The potential is there. Withholding my rating for now.
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2004 Château Calon-Ségur
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Decanted for a few hours before tasting. Vanilla, green pepper, and an earthy iron-blood component on the nose which was severely lacking in fruit and brightness. The palate was thin with lots of green and earth; tapenade and green pepper followed by a jalapeno like finish. Grapes obviously had trouble ripening and another reason not to spend $ on 04 Bordeaux. WK C
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1989 Penfolds Grange 93 Points
Australia, South Australia
Pale brickish rim in the glass. Very expressive nose of raspberry liqueur, anise, vanilla, and Belgian candi sryup; very interesting and sweet smelling. The palate was very "sweet" as well- more candy, raspberry vanilla, blue raspberry, raisins, doughnut cream filling, and fruit brandy with a classic Grange black pepper finish. Oddly complex in that it had great depth, development, and hit all areas of the palate but the wine can be summed up as "candy and pepper". Smooth body, smooth finish, soft tannins. NCWino, a Grange expert, says the 89 is better than the 88 and that the 89 is on a plateau, drink soon or it will start going downhill. Definitely unique. WK A-
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2006 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Cherries, tomato leaf, and appreciable alcohol on the nose (14.8%). Cherries, strawberries, cranberries, and alcohol on the palate, reminds me of a Sea Breeze cocktail. Very much one dimensional upfront red fruits. Not as jammy as the 07. In my opinion a terrible value for what it delivers but I would rather have a red Burg.
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2007 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Tasted along with the 2006 KB Sonoma Coast. 07 was more jammy and less earthy than the o6, full of cherry jam, strawberry jelly, and plenty of oak vanilla. Oh an don't forget the heat (14.5%).
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2005 Dominus Estate
USA, California, Napa Valley
Double decanted to give the wine some time to breathe. Cherries and anise on the nose with hints of raspberries, sweet cream, and some medicinal tones. Not decanted long enough as the wine was still very tannic with a dry, dusty finish. Noticeable heat on the finish as well (14.1%), with notes of green pepper on the mid-palate before the tannins take over. Definitely needs time to open up so that the fruit can come out or just keep it in the cellar for a few more years.
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2005 Havens Wine Cellars Bourriquot 85 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Second bottle tasted by the NC group, the first back in March 2010. 2/3 CabF and 1/3 Merlot, the same earthy nose was evident as found in that first bottle 2 years ago. Red fruit and "sheep's bunghole" as per JohnR. The palate is still quite tanninc and considering the nose and "burnt" quality, this is likely due to a heavy oak toast regimen. Sour red fruits, anise, and some spice before heat is noticeable on the finish. Its a heavyweight and rough on the palate and not overly complex, lacks development as well. Seemed like it had not changed one bit in the 2 years since the last tasting but if its all oak I wouldn't expect much to change no matter how much time it gains. WK B rating.
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2005 Château de Reignac 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur
Clean red fruits on the nose with hints of cedar, spice, and brown sugar notes. The palate is still very tannic, definitely tooth-coating, with red fruit and some earth starting to emerge. Still needs some time but I think it has potential for the tannins to drop and eventually reveal the clean, bright red fruit. At $20 / bottle its a great value now but will be a steal in a few years when it all comes together. WK Ratings- Style & Quality: B+, Value: A, Overall A-.
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2009 Bedrock Wine Co. Sémillon Lachryma Montis, Botrytized Old Vine Monte Rosso Vineyard 86 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Pineapples and honey backed by floral orange blossoms and tropical notes on both the nose and palate. Wasn't overly sweet or cloying, but didn't have the body / acidity of the lower priced Sauternes chateau like Doisy-Vedrines or Giraud. Price is right at $18 for a half-bottle (375 mL). Solid WK B overall rating.
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