Offline with Hawaii Wine-O's

We visited former CWM member Haggis in Honolulu last week and he put together an offline at his home for 15 people including some members of the Hawaii Wine-O's. Everyone brought an appetizer and we just mingled in his home overlooking Koko Crater and the Pacific. My wife and I really enojoyed getting together with everyone (some for the 2nd time). Here are my notes (some are very brief and I think there were a few wines I missed):

• 2001 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese 95 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  (11/9/2012)

  Opened at the Hawaii offline. Petrol and tropical aromas. A little spritz which gave the wine a lightness. Not as sweet as I remember. Notes of creamy pear, honey and mango. Drank the last glass the next day and it was showing just as well. 95 points.

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• 1990 Domaine Pichot Vouvray Moelleux Domaine Le Peu de la Moriette 84 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

  (11/10/2012)

  No formal notes. Drank in Honolulu. Disappointing. 84 points

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• 2000 Château Branaire (Duluc-Ducru) 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  (11/9/2012)

  Opened at the Hawaii offline. 2nd time I have had this wine. Last time was in 2003 and it was better than before. Lead pencil shaving aromas. Mocha, berry and cedar notes. Solid tannins. Smooth and long finish. Starting to really come into it's own. 93-94 points.

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• 2000 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (11/9/2012)

  Opened at the Hawaii offline by Haggis. From 375ml. Full bodied. Rich texture with excellent balance. Notes of plum, cedar and berries. Old world in style. Very nice effort by this estate in a difficult vintage. 94 points

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• 1996 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate Flawed

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (11/9/2012)

  Opened at the Hawaii offline by Haggis from 375ml. Corked. Muted. No score.

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• 2004 Ovid Experiment E0.4 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (11/9/2012)

  Opened at the Hawaii offline. Full bodied. Higher alcohol. Heavy almost syrupy texture. Blackberry, cocoa and currant notes. Definitely made in a new world style to impress critics and those looking for wines that scream for attention. I thought it lacked balance to reach the outstanding territory. 89 points.

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• 2004 Sheridan Vineyard L'Orage 94 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

  (11/9/2012)

  Opened by TylerHi as part of the Hawaii offline. Sweet carmel nose. Green pepper and toffee notes with some graphite mixed in. Long finish. Firm tannins. One of the top wines at this event. Tried it again on day 2 and it was just as good. 94 points

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• 2008 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Summa Old Vines 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  (11/9/2012)

  Opened at the Hawaii offline by Haggis. Very fruity. Sweet cherry notes. Bright acidity. Not as good as the 2008 Sonoma Coast from this producer that I had the night before. 90-91 points.

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• 2008 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Equinoxe Reserve 92 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  (11/9/2012)

  Fairly typical for a wine from this estate. Slightly more concentrated. Herbal quality with mineral notes. Less fruit than expected. Nice sweet finish. 92 points.

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• 2004 Copain Syrah Broken Leg Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

  (11/9/2012)

  Opened at the Hawaii offline. A big, full bodied wine. Sweet and dark fruit notes of cassis and blackberry. Bitter finish. Not my favorite style. 88 points.

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• 2008 Joseph Swan Vineyards Syrah Trenton Estate 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  (11/9/2012)

  At the Hawaii offline. Opened by Tylerhi. Round and smooth. Drinking very well. Lighter body than most other wines at this event. 92 points.

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• 2007 Maldonado Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (11/9/2012)

  Opened at the Hawaii offline by 1kailuaboy. No formal notes. The best of the 3 blind Cal Cabs made by Hispanic winemakers that were opened. 89-90 points.

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• 2006 Solovino Cabernet Sauvignon 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (11/9/2012)

  Opened at the hawaii offline. 1kailuaboy. No formal notes. 87 points.

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• 2004 Javier Renteria Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  (11/9/2012)

  At the Hawaii offline. Opened by 1kailuaboy. No formal notes. 88 points.

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• 2008 Beckmen Vineyards Purisima Red Wine Purisima Mountain Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

  (11/9/2012)

  At the Hawaii offline. Grenache and syrah blend. Plum and spice notes. Semi sweet finish. Tried this again the next day and it rounded out a bit. 90 points.

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• 2010 Beckmen Vineyards Grenache Block Eight Purisima Mountain Vineyard 86 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

  (11/9/2012)

  Opened at the Hawaii offline. No formal notes. Mild. Light bodied for a Grenache. 86 points

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• 2008 L'Aventure Estate Cuvée 85 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  (11/10/2012)

  Opened at the Hawaii offline. No formal notes. 85 points.

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• 2009 Stefania Haut Tubee 89 Points

  USA, California

  (11/10/2012)

  Opened at the Hawaii offline by Haggis. No formal notes. 88-89 points.

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