A wonderful evening of amazing food and great company. The wines selected made for some interesting contrasts and comparisons. Many thanks to our wonderful hosts.
Had after a Kistler. This wine more understated, and fairly typical Chardonnay with hints of citrus and medium oak. Short to medium finish. Intersting for me to try a chardonnay from this region. Who knew? (not me). Very solid.
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Russian river Pinot on steroids. Dark ruby. Nose of crushed stone, black cherry. Concentrated fruit and oak on the palate with tobacco. I would say this is not classic "typical Pinot noir", but it works for me. Reminds me of some of the kosta Browne Russian Rivers, power, concentration, but overall a well balanced wine. Enjoyed this a lot.
Had this after a Paul Hobbs Pinot. Intensely floral nose, but palate so austere and dry that it was essentially devoid of fruit. I wonder if my impression of this wine would have struck me differently if I had not had the Hobbs before. I also wonder if this was flawed in some way.
Dark purple. Really nice nose of flowers and black cherry. Remarkable fruit on the palate with hints of mineral. Tannins well integrated. Wished for a longer finish, but really nice wine. WOTN for me.
Had after an 09 Fairchild Sigaro. Dark purple with nose of cedar, cigar, and blackberry. On the palate the fruit takes backstage to mineral and tobacco with long finish. Beastly tannic structure. This needs to sit for a few years.
Dark purple. Nose of cedar dark fruits. Beautiful fruit on palate, but tight. Medium finish. Would wait a couple of more years on this one. Big upside to this.
2009 Kistler Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Lemon and sea breeze on the nose. Lemon and mineral on the plate, not overly tart, hint of oak. Medium finish. Very nice!
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2009 Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Grésy Langhe Chardonnay 88 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
Had after a Kistler. This wine more understated, and fairly typical Chardonnay with hints of citrus and medium oak. Short to medium finish. Intersting for me to try a chardonnay from this region. Who knew? (not me). Very solid.
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2009 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Lindsay Estate Vineyard 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Russian river Pinot on steroids. Dark ruby. Nose of crushed stone, black cherry. Concentrated fruit and oak on the palate with tobacco. I would say this is not classic "typical Pinot noir", but it works for me. Reminds me of some of the kosta Browne Russian Rivers, power, concentration, but overall a well balanced wine. Enjoyed this a lot.
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2006 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Langhe Nebbiolo
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
Had this after a Paul Hobbs Pinot. Intensely floral nose, but palate so austere and dry that it was essentially devoid of fruit. I wonder if my impression of this wine would have struck me differently if I had not had the Hobbs before. I also wonder if this was flawed in some way.
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2009 Fairchild Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Sigaro 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
Dark purple. Really nice nose of flowers and black cherry. Remarkable fruit on the palate with hints of mineral. Tannins well integrated. Wished for a longer finish, but really nice wine. WOTN for me.
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2010 Seaver Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon GTS 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
Had after an 09 Fairchild Sigaro. Dark purple with nose of cedar, cigar, and blackberry. On the palate the fruit takes backstage to mineral and tobacco with long finish. Beastly tannic structure. This needs to sit for a few years.
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2010 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Dark purple. Nose of cedar dark fruits. Beautiful fruit on palate, but tight. Medium finish. Would wait a couple of more years on this one. Big upside to this.
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