Sunday at Ken's
Tasted Sunday, July 14, 2013 - Monday, July 15, 2013 by Loren Sonkin with 536 views
Introduction
My wife and I spent our Sunday afternoon with our friend Ken and 50 of his closest friends celebrating his son's graduation and annual summer party. There was a ton of wine open and I got to about one third of it. I skipped a lot of the bigger names in lieu of trying something new. There were some I made sure not to miss. Thanks Ken, great to see you and everyone else.
2011 Quivet Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Tench Vineyard 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(7/14/2013)
Much better than a prior bottle, not sure why. This one was classic (in a good way) Cal Sauv Blanc. The nose is slightly grassy, peaches, fresh country air, with a mineral undertone. On the palate, the nose carries thru nicely. Slick texture which is nice. Slightly oily. Good balance. Refreshing and interesting on a hot summer day.
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2009 Vertikal Gewürztraminer 86 Points
Germany, Pfalz
(7/14/2013)
First time trying this wine. Not much of a nose which is disappointing in a Gewurz. Nice enough on the palate if slightly generic. Refreshing and easy to drink if nothing special. Not sure of the price point, but I suspect its low. If so, a fine party wine.
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2012 Presque Isle Wine Cellars Gewürztraminer 89 Points
USA, Pennsylvania, Lake Erie
(7/14/2013)
The winemaker/owner Doug was present. He said 2012 was a nice year for this wine. From near Erie, PA. This is nice. Very good varietal typicity. Lychees on the nose. Full, slightly oily texture. Tropical with a bit of acidity on the palate. A very nice wine indeed.
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2008 Clos Pepe Estate Pinot Noir 89 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
(7/15/2013)
Nice solid Pinot Noir. Seems like it needs a bit of time to develop. It was pretty tight at this stage.
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2005 Franciscan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Stylus
USA, California, Napa Valley
(7/15/2013)
I am told this is their top bottling, so I assume it is pricey. Others might like it more than I. Seems well made, but not in a style I like. Just so much oak. The nose is dominated by cocoa powder. There is some red fruit too. Very nice, full bodied texture. Lots of oak on the palate which obscures the fruit. I know people who love this, but it was more of a chocolate shake for my tastes. I can't put a fair score on it though.
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2011 Mas de Daumas Gassac Pont de Gassac Blanc 88 Points
France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Vin de Pays de l'Hérault
(7/15/2013)
Very nice refreshing white. Drank It after a few reds and found it had enough acidity to really cut thru and revive my palate. Nice minerality. Good white grapefruit fruit with some chalk.
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2010 Pech Merle Zinfandel Cuccio Dry Creek Valley 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
(7/15/2013)
I liked this Zin. It is an upfront, fruity Zin. Nothing serious here, but lots of good raspberry and black raspberry fruit. Some bramble quality to the nose. Easy to drink. Long finish. Nice full bodied texture. Very pleasant drinking.
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1993 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(7/15/2013)
For an older wine, this is drinking quite well. Still showing of California, but it has nice layering. Plenty of fresh cassis fruit with a bit of dried fruit at this point. The bottle was mostly empty when I got to it, so it had a fair amount of air. This has held up nicely.
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1999 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sorì Tildìn 94 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
(7/15/2013)
Still a monster of a wine. This was served a bit too cold, but warmed up quickly on a hot day. The nose has cherries, cherry pie, roses and tar. This is deep and yet still tight. With air/warmth the layers start to unwind. Just a beautiful wine, but I would wait on this for a while.
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2001 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco 91 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
(7/15/2013)
Lovely nose of cherries, floral notes and some tar. Much more feminine than the Gaja. Still, this is young and big and takes some coaxing to unwind. I got one of the first pours of the bottle. very pretty wine.
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2006 Rhys Alesia Syrah 30 Month Extended Barrel Ageing Trial Fairview Ranch 90 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
(7/15/2013)
This was a fun wine to try. I am not sure I notice anything special from the extended ageing as I try to remember Alesia Syrahs. They never have an issue with oak and neither does this. It is a very nice cooler climate Syrah; balanced, good purple fruit and drinking well right now. No hurry, But I don't think this gets much better at this point.
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2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Indian Wells 88 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
(7/15/2013)
Nice cab. Easy to drink. Not much greatness, but nothing wrong either. Solid. Correct.
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2012 Presque Isle Wine Cellars Cabernet Franc Rosé 86 Points
USA, Pennsylvania, Lake Erie
(7/15/2013)
Refreshing. No bitterness which I think says its well made. There is some watermelon and slight strawberry notes. Works on a hot day. Not prolific, but I doubt it was meant to be. Interesting wine. From Erie PA.
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2009 Château Petrus Gaïa No. 2 86 Points
France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur
(7/15/2013)
Never had this wine before. Solid Bordeaux. Cherries, green tobacco, some bell pepper. Drinking well. I doubt it makes old bones, but certainly as half a dozen years left. Very solid.
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2008 Weingut Robert Weil Kiedricher Gräfenberg Riesling Spätlese 91 Points
Germany, Rheingau
(7/15/2013)
Very nice. Sweet but not over the top. Good body. Young on the nose with no petrol. Lots of minerals, wet stones and some grapefruit. Full bodied. Nice.
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2004 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli 93 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
(7/15/2013)
Still quite young, but very nice. A nose of cherries, sandalwood, vanilla and tea. On the palate, this is juicy and full bodied. Still young and robust but starting to layer. Lots of cherries, some dried tea. Great acidity. Long finish. Wonderful wine.
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