4th Saturday Group brown bagger

The Pol Roger was served as a nonblind starter.

• NV Pol Roger Champagne Pure Brut 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  We brought this as a nonblind starter to toast Cyndi and Mike's first time as hosts for the Saturday group. Pale straw yellow color. Notes of almond, biscuit, grapefruit, apple and honeysuckle. Apple, almond and stone flavors with racy acidity. An ultra brut, this is bone dry.

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• 2008 Domaine Châtelain Pouilly-Fumé 88 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé

  Pale color. Aromas of apple, cream, vanilla and honeysuckle with hints of butterscotch. Medium-bodied, with vanilla, toasted butterscotch and tropical fruit tones. I was guessing Chardonnay. I retasted just before unveiling as everyone else said Sauv Blanc, and there was a very subtle grassy note, so I could see it, but certainly not old world.

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• 2009 Mckinley Springs Confluence 86 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills

  Deep color. Opens with an odd metallic note, as well as apple, sulphur, and a chemically quality; perhaps a hint of cotton as well. Apple and white fruit flavors with a subtle toasted undertone. Thought this was a Chard as well- not off to a good start today.

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• 2009 Eola Hills Wine Cellars Chardonnay La Creole Reserve 88 Points

  USA, Oregon

  Deep yellow color. Notes of apple, banana, butterscotch and toast. The palate follows the bouquet, with a rich, full mouthfeel. Shows just a bit of heat on the finish. Guessed Chardonnay.

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• 2010 Sivas-Sonoma Pinot Noir 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Light ruby color. Cherry, cola, spice and perfumed florals- lavender. Medium-bodied with good acidity. Flavors of cherry, cola, white pepper, nutmeg and clove. Guessed Sonoma County Pinot.

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• 2006 La Loggia Barbaresco 85 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Ruby/orange color. Ones with odd notes akin to rubber and Raid bug spray. Tastes better than it smells, with red fruit flavors, bright acidity and medium tannins. Sour red fruit and cherry aromas replace the bug spray and rubber qualities; develops a candied cherry flavor. Medium finish. I thought we had another Pinot here, perhaps from a lesser growing region; no one pegged this as Italian, let alone Barbaresco.

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• 2009 Vietti Barbera d'Alba Tre Vigne 89 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba

  Light purplish/red color. A bit generic at first, this developed nicely in the glass with cherry, red currant and gingerbread notes. Medium-bodied with nice acidity and flavors of red fruit, cherries and spice. Medium finish. Guessed domestic Pinot.

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• 1994 Thomas Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Due to cork trouble, this was served from a decanter. To this point, it had been decanted for about an hour. Deep ruby color. Aromas of iron, red currants, forest floor and cherry. Medium-bodied, with good acidity and flavors of red fruit, cherry and forest floor. Firm; youthful. Guessed Oregon Pinot. 90-91 pts.
  
  By the time dinner was served- maybe three hours after the wine was first opened- this had opened up a bit more on the palate, featuring cherries, earth and florals with a nice mineral streak. Drink now-2017. 92-93 pts.

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• 2009 Talbott Pinot Noir RFT Diamond T Estate 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey

  Purplish red color. Opens with an odd chemical aroma- could be wine B's twin. Aromas turn to pine sap, evergreen, cherry and spice. Medium-bodied, with cherry and spice qualities. Long finish; shows just a bit of heat on the finish. Good underlying acidity. Guessed CA Pinot.

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• 2010 Robert Biale Barbera Carli Somerston 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Inky purple color. Notes of blackberry, plum and violets. Vanilla, boysenberry, blackberry and licorice flavors with dense, firm tannins that clamp down hard on the finish. Guessed Petite Sirah.

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• 2006 Robert Johnson Shiraz

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley

  Dark crimson. Aromas of tar, black fruit, herbs and tea leaf. Full-bodied, with medium-firm tannins and flavors of black fruit, plum and cherry. Turns a bit sour and acidic; almost has a jammy quality. Guessed Shiraz.

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• 2009 Lewis Cellars Alec's Blend 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Garnet color. Aromas of blue fruit, violets & lavender and blackberry. Massive tannins; flavors of black and blue fruit, caramel too. With air, notes of tar, brown sugar and dill appear- teh dill starts to dominate. Long finish. Guessed Petite.

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• 1995 Schweiger Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  Inky crimson color, light meniscus. Aromas of leather, black currants, tobacco and spice box, violets and florals. Flavors black currants, leather, tobacco and florals. Medium-bodied and fully-integrated. Elegant, with a long finish. Guessed mid-90s cab.

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• 2003 Girard Winery Petite Sirah 86 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Inky crimson color with aromas of sour black fruit, herbs and raspberry liqueur. This has softened a bit; flavors of black fruit, boysenberry and plum. Develops an odd sour citrus quality.

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• 2005 Girard Winery Petite Sirah 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Inky crimson color. Notes of black fruit and herbs with a meaty undertone. Full-bodied. Plum, blackberry, roasted meat and vanilla flavors. Chewy tannins; medium+ finish.

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• 2003 Cayuse Syrah Coccinelle Vineyard Flawed

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  Corked.

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• 1995 Château La Dominique 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Notes of forest floor, red currants, plum and roasted herbs. Balanced; flavors of red fruit, plum, herbs, earth and funk. Lovely.

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• 2007 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Vol des Anges Beeswax Vineyard 86 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Seco

  Light color. Aromas of minerals, orange blossom honey, and tropical fruit. Flavors of apricot and peach, with a bit of a tinny, metallic note on the finish.

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