A whole bunch of Wines (mostly Sonoma) with friends

Last night, our friend and BBer Chris M. and his wife hosted a gathering of around 8 couples for a pot luck dinner and wine tasting. This was a stand around and graze, or sit by their beautiful patio fireplace and enjoy the cool August evening. We all had an outstanding time, talking kids, work, life, food and drinking a bit of wine. In a reverse of behavior, I noticed at one point a bunch of the guys sitting and talking while the women were corwded in front of the wines, comparing their notes. Nice.

• 2010 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Chardonnay Russian River Valley 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Light gold in color. The nose is really nice with pineapple, other tropical fruits, slight grapefruit notes. Lovely oily texture. Nice acidity. Creamy mouthfeel. Just the slightest amount of oak on the palate, but not distracting, blends seamlessly with grapefruit and some tropical notes. Long finish. A very nice Chard. There are more and more Cal Chards that I am liking. A nice trend.

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• 2007 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay The Cutrer 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  I didn't like this as well, but it does have a few years on it, and may be passed prime. The nose is nice with smoky grapefruit notes and some vanilla shake qualities. On the palate, there is a creamy texture. There isn't much fruit here. Some tart grapefruit. A bitter oak note on this finish. Others liked this more than I.

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• 2004 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Estate 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Great showing for this wine. it is in a really nice place right now. Ruby in color. The nose is earthy with some cherries. This is a more feminine Pinot. Layered with earth, cherries and slight dried cherry notes. Great balance. A lovely sour cherry finish. Everything I like in a Pinot. Surprisingly, my wife who tends to like bigger wines, really liked this one as well.

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• 2005 Kutch Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  My last one of these from Jamie's first vintage IIRC. It is holding up quite well and still a bit young. This is a "classic" RRV Pinot, or at least it was as I don't know what a classic RRV Pinot is these days. The nose has root beer, cherries and cola. It is big and rich and full throttle. Obviously, Kutch has shifted gears these days, but this one is in your face. Cherries and cherry liqueur on the palate. Smooth. And odd bitter plum note mars the finish a bit, but still a very nice wine.

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• 2009 Failla Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  This was a divisive wine. Later in the night, one friend was heard saying this was his WOTN (96) and it had improved remarkably, but my palate was shot. The nose had cherries and a strong clove note. Also some celery. On the palate, more cherry shake with some sour cherries. A nice wine and easy to drink, but not much development. Perhaps it just needs more time or air to really open up. I will need to revisit this in the future.

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• 1994 B.R. Cohn Cabernet Sauvignon Olive Hill Estate Vineyards 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  Ruby but a bit dull in color. The nose has tobacco, cedar, spice and also a bit of cassis left. Medium bodied. There is some cassis fruit left here, but obviously mature. Nice wine, but needs to be drunk. What a great year 94 was. As time goes by, it proves to be the standout vintage for the 90's.

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• 1997 Gallo Family Vineyards / Gallo of Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon Barrelli Creek Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

  My last of a bunch of these. Still had the $17 price tag. Back in the day, a lot of people talked about this wine (Stephen Pohlman?). An amazing amount of sediment, even young, this was decanted and served. Ruby in color with some browning. The nose is dusty with cedar and some funk. The palate has sweet cassis fruit layered with earth and some dried leather. Tannins almost resolved. Nice wine still, and while it wont get better, it has some time left. Kudos to Gallo on this wine.

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• 2003 Dehlinger Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled Flawed

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Our host generously donated this three bottle vertical. I am not sure if this was a proper bottle or not. The nose was odd. There was some cassis, but also this latex paint quality and heat. Some said the palate was better, but I also found it odd with licorice, dust, not much fruit and lots of heat. Not sure what was going on here. It wasn't terrible (I might have scored it an 86), but I don't think it was right either.

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• 2002 Dehlinger Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  My favorite of the trio, although the group was split. The nose is dusty with cassis and plums. A slick, juicy texture. Lots of cassis fruit on the palate, but open and starting to show some layering. Good finish. This is still not mature, but it was the most open of the trio. Outstanding.

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• 2001 Dehlinger Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Some preferred this, but it was very tight despite 3 hours of decanting. The nose is dusty with some cassis. On the palate, lovely plush texture with some cassis. You could sense greatness underneath, but it is still closed up a bit. Give it more time IMO. I probably should have revisited later in the night. I would hold these.

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• 2007 Pax Syrah Cuvée Christine 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Purple in color. Perhaps this needed more time, but it wasn't showing a lot. I have one bottle left, that I will wait on. The nose shows some dust and a touch of black raspberry. On the palate, this is ripe, sweet fruit. Mostly black raspberries, but some black pepper. Much better on the palate. Juicy texture. Everyone seemed agreed on this one.

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• 2005 Saxum Syrah Booker Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Purple/ruby in color. The nose has black raspberries, grilled meats and pepper. On the palate, lovely lush, yet not too big texture. Lots of black raspberry fruit. Still quite young. Long finish. Excellent and my WOTN.

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• 2007 Lillian Winery Syrah Blue Label 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  Purple/ruby in color. The nose has black pepper, black olives, black raspberries. This was much more restrained than i expected. Layered tightly with black raspberries and a mineral quality. Nice finish. really nice wine that needs more time.

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• 2010 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah Sonoma Coast 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Another wine that got mixed reviews. I liked it. Not earth shattering, but very good and for a very good price. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has black raspberry and some bacon fat notes. Easy to drink on the palate. No complexity but its so young, give it some time. Right now, its got a great texture and goes down easily.

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• 2001 Peju Province Winery Syrah 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I have never been much of a fan of this winery, but never tried this wine. My expectations were low, but this wine rocked. Group consensus agreed. Black raspberries, black olives and some iodine on the nose. Soft texture. Black cherries and black raspberries on the nose holding up quite well and not showing much age at 11 years. Well done.

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• 2006 Ramey Syrah Shanel Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Very nice. Nose of black raspberry and black olive tapenade. Tart acidity but within reason. More boysenberry on the palate. Long finish. Just starting to unwind and show some complexity.

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• 2009 Cayuse Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  I really liked this one, but the crowd seemed mixed. The nose is earthy with black raspberry, slightly warm dusty attic. Dark cherries on the palate. Complex and layered. Outstanding wine.

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• 2003 Nickel & Nickel Syrah Hudson Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Purple/ruby in color. Lots of VA on the nose (paint thinner). Swirling helped it blow off a bit. Very tight layering on the palate. Much better on the palate with black raspberry. Even for an 03, it still seemed in need of more time. Perhaps it never gets there, but I though it had more to offer.

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• 2004 Copain Syrah Broken Leg Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

  Ruby/purple in color. The nose is earthy with black raspberries and some black pepper. On the palate, black raspberries, but I would prefer more ripeness. Also a green quality which was distracting (stems?). Solid wine, but not really the style I like.

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• 2007 Hartford / Hartford Court Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Ruby in color. The nose is tight with dust and some dried cherries. On the palate, it offers a lot more. Ripe, juicy cherries. Nice acidity that re awoke my palate. Showing some layering.

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• 2007 Walter Hansel Winery Pinot Noir Hansel Family Vineyards 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  I really like Hansel Pinots. They have a lovely feminine quality to them IMO. The nose is earthy with macerated cherries. Young on the palate, with cherries and a bit of a menthol cigarette note which I liked. Still in need of time, this is a very pretty wine.

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• 2007 Carlisle Zinfandel Sonoma County 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Ruby/purple in color. The nose has raspberries, rhubarb, pepper and some bramble. Very balanced Zin. Not in your face. Seems fully resolved and very drinkable. Nice wine and IIRC awesome QPR.

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• 2009 J. Maki French Creek Ridge Vineyards Vidal Icewine 91 Points

  USA, Pennsylvania

  IIRC, this was my friend, Tommy K's aunts winery in PA. I have had a variety of her wines and they are really good wines. This was no exception. I do love Vidal Blanc Ice wines. A nose of canned peaches. On the palate, crisp without being cloying. Nice peach flavors. Decent acidity. Nice showing.

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My wife and I had a great time, thank you Chris and Renee. Its hard not to feel lucky on a night like this having friends and being able to really enjoy some of life's finer offerings.