Blasts from the past

Yesterday afternoon, I met up with some other wine lovers to taste some wine. All wines were tasted blind for two hours and then another hour after revealing. The theme was "Blasts from the past". That is, wineries we used to buy but have fallen out of favor. It could be old wines or new. Overall, most of the wines showed well. A nice chance to cellar some wines from the cellar as well.

• 2010 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis 89 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Roero

  This is on sale for $15 a bottle. Great price and it fit the theme, so I bought a bottle to try. Served blind, I think the overall reaction was pretty positive. Deep golden in color, pretty, but probably deeper than i would have expected. The nose has great minerality with a slight mint note. Initially, slightly soapy and slightly bitter, but nice. With a bit of air, it got rounder and developed a fuller texture. More lemon notes emerged and a bit of under ripe peach. Nice acidity. Not bracing, but present. Also some vanilla/lemon cream. All in all, very nice, and at that price I picked up a few for the summer.

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• 1997 Clos Mimi Syrah Shell Creek 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  This is still in good shape. The bottle is abv at a bit over 15% which by Clos Mimi standards is not that high. In any event, at 15 years, this is still not showing much age and while at peak, I don't think is fading any time soon. I know many said these wines would not last 5 years. Purple/ruby in color. Slight browning. The nose has spice and boysenberries. A bit tired at first, with air, it revived and drank very nicely. Layered with a nice complexity. The silk screened label was falling off quickly.

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• 2009 Orin Swift Machete 92 Points

  USA, California

  I had not had this before, but I do like OS wines. Colorful label. This is typical, an inky, fruity, oaky monster of a wine. The nose has lots of vanilla and black raspberry. Juicy with big fruit. Delicious. Meant to be enjoyed young, and it is enjoyable for those who like this style.

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• 2009 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

  I had not had this vintage, but back in the day, I drank a lot of this wine. Purple/ruby in color. The nose is a bit rough with alcohol, but it calmed down a bit with air. Fresh cut lumber, cassis and a bit of bell pepper. Also a bit gamey. On the palate, this is lush and easy to drink. May develop a bit but right now, its just about easy drinking. A bit of heat on the finish.

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• 1994 Franciscan Estate Magnificat 88 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This was a wine that brought back some memories. It is past prime now, but still has plenty of pleasure to offer. Ruby in color with some VA on the nose. Smells older than it tastes. The palate has black cherries with a nice acidity. Some layering. Drink up.

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• 2002 Marquis Philips Shiraz 9 Flawed

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Others liked this more than I. I don't think this is a proper bottle. Inky purple in color. There is a good amount of VA on the nose that never really blew off. Underneath, there is a raspberry milkshake. The oak is still prevalent. The palate is much better with sweet blueberries and black raspberries. Heat on the finish. This did seem to get better with air.

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• 2005 J. Maki French Creek Ridge Vineyards Petit Verdot 87 Points

  USA, Pennsylvania

  This is from Pennsylvania. I have enjoyed sparkling wines and dessert wines more from this winery. Ruby in color. Given that it is Petit Verdot, this was pretty light. I was thinking Pinot Nero. It has some tart cherries. An enjoyable wine if not profound.

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• 1997 Ridge Zinfandel Pagani Ranch 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  What an awesome showing for this bottle. Purple/red in color. The nose is very nice, earth with some berries. A bit of funk too. Sweet and slightly jammy on the palate. Red fruits and some black licorice. Maybe some black raspberries as well. Really drinking great.

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• 2002 Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Estate 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  This is drinking very well. Inky purple, ruby at the rim. There is some VA, but it does blow off with vigorous swirling, leaving chocolate and cassis. There is some layering but this drinks much younger than 10 years old. Not yet at peak. This is a pricey bottle (over $100 on release), but it is very good.

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• 2006 Terrabianca Campaccio Toscana IGT 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Always a favorite wine of mine, I did not pick it out, thinking it was a cal Cab. Purple/ruby in color. The nose is quiet but shows some cassis. Juicy cassis fruit with some bell pepper. Smooth and easy to drink. Starting to show some layering. very nice.

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• 2005 Bodegas Alejandro Fernández Ribera del Duero Tinto Pesquera 91 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  I had no idea what this was blind, just wasn't thinking Spain. After revealing, it seemed so obvious. ;-) Purple, slight ruby in color. The nose has cherries, some vanilla, and a grilled meat, dusty note. It is still on the young side. Showing tight layering. Needs a bit more time.

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