Some wines from the USA and Downunder

Umeå, Sweden
Tasted Friday, November 30, 2012 by StefanAkiko with 510 views

Introduction

Unfortunately, I had a nasty bacteria/virus that made me sleep 20 hrs before the tasting, not able to prepare my assigned courses and suffering from both fatigue and a clogged nose.

Nevertheless, it was a great evening with some fantastic wines, great food and a happy, clever crowd providing great discourse.

Flight 1 - USA (4 Notes)

  • 2011 McManis Family Vineyards Petite Sirah 89 Points

    USA, California

    Non-blind. Decanted 2 hrs.
    Impression: excellent wine.
    Almost black wine with purple streaks.
    Grande, inviting nose with warm and jammy aromas of typical overextracted aromas.
    Sweet and wide PS with muscular build and good tannin. This is A LOT of wine.
    I can see myself laying down some of these. Can live long and was particularly loved by Decibel99. Extremely good QPR.

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  • 2004 Havens Wine Cellars Merlot 86 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Non-blind. Decanted 3 hrs.
    Impression: very, very good wine.
    Even if i haven't had the Reserve, I second Bob in NY. Time to drink up this acidic, slightly geriatric wine that imho has nothing to do with the bordelais expression.

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  • 2002 Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Non-blind. Decanted 3 hrs.
    Impression: Superbly outstanding. WOTN.
    Dark, plummy slightly shy nose.
    In the mouth this reminded us all of a top-notch Amarone: rich, with lush breadth and sweetness. Very complete. Very exciting.

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  • 2007 Andrew Will Champoux Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills

    Non-blind. Decanted 3 hrs.
    Impression: outstanding with wow
    As a young, elegant, whispering wine, it drowned among the Napa btls of this flight. Prominent, dusty tannins that give a firm stability to the body and ends with a bitter tail. Quite charming and will definitely go well with a long dinner.
    Really looking forward to enjoy our two btls in the future.

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Flight 2 - Australia (4 Notes)

  • 2009 Penfolds Shiraz Bin 28 Kalimna 90 Points

    Australia, South Australia

    Non-blind. 2 hrs slow-ox.
    Impression: outstanding
    Purple.
    Typical and wonderful big Aussie Shiraz nose with anise seeds and other dark scents.
    In the mouth this is far too young to be accessible/interesting. Non-yielding. May become something down the road (I hope so). No problem to help it down the hatch, though. Better than expected.
    Patience will be rewarded.

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  • 2005 Kaesler Shiraz Old Bastard 95 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    Non-blind. Decanted 4 hrs. (not enough)
    Impression: Fabulous!!!
    Black wine.
    Grande nose with smoke, tar, rubbery aromas and a truck load of anise seed and licorice.
    In the mouth this is a young, closed behemoth. Fantastic to drink today, but patience will be greatly rewarded.
    Next btl in the rather far away future. Winner of All Time Ugliest Wine Label Award. But we drink what's inside the bottle. Thank heavens :-)

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  • 2010 Warburn Shiraz AC/DC Back in Black 70 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    Non-blind. Slow-oxed for 3hrs.
    Impression: Almost nasty.
    This is a wine for fans or a gift for fans. Slightly cool label, pitiful contents.

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  • 2008 Warburn Cabernet Sauvignon AC/DC Highway to Hell 71 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra

    Non-blind. Slow-oxed for 3hrs.
    Impression: Almost nasty.
    This is a bottle for fans or a great gift for fans. Slightly cool label, pitiful contents.

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Flight 3 - Zinfandel (4 Notes)

Flight 4 - Cheese and some cold cuts (1 Note)

  • 2009 Poças Porto Vintage

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Non-blind. Decanted 3 hrs.
    I was very tired when we arrived here...
    This port came across as easy-drinking, well balanced, clean, with reasonable sugar levels and of potential. No score from me. The bottle was quickly emptied and I could hear no complaints from anyone, including Decibel99!

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Closing

A fantastic evening where Lewis showed amazingly well and The Old Bastard showed more potential than grandness. Surprise of the eve was McManis' PS.

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