Barnett vs. Star Lane Merlot Challenge with mixed bag of other wines
Kevin's House (Minneapolis)
Tasted Saturday, October 19, 2013 by 3daywinereview.com with 425 views
Introduction
The purpose was to take on the national rep saying that the Star Lane Merlot could compete with any Merlot from California which of course I said no on this one stating the Barnett would crush it in a blind tasting and it did.
Barnett Scores: 92,92,92+,92,93,92,92,94
Star Lane: 90,89,90,90,88,90,89, 91.
I thought the Star Lane was a well made wine but was over oaked and spices were not allowing the fruit to show through.
In the top 3 voting the Barnett won by a landslide: 22 points, Ribbon Ridge 8 points and Biale 6 points.
No votes in the top 3 for the Star Lane and it was the only wine that did not receive either a first, second or third.
Flight 1 (10 Notes)
Closing
Breakdown in points:
3 points first, 2 points second, 1 point third
Doussot 3 points
Ribbon Ridge 8 points (2nd place)
Chronicle 5 points
Jean Garaudet 1 point
Barnett 22 points (1st place)
Star Lane 0 points
Oratoire 3 points
Rivetto 2 points
Biale 6 points
A good time had by all and looking back at the bonus Zenith wine it has been a hit or miss wine for me and others.
NV Veuve Doussot Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée 88 Points
France, Champagne
Nothing too exciting with apple, lemon and subtle minerality. Short finish and a touch of sweetness.
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2002 Ribbon Ridge Winery Pinot Noir Ridgecrest Vineyards 92 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge
This was a pop and pour and needed to be. Great in glass for 25 minutes and quickly went south so drink with a group and be rewarded. Forest floor, game, sour cherry and raspberries. Got a bit of sap after that 25 minutes and got really bitter. Past peak but still good out of the bottle if not outstanding.
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2009 Chronicle Pinot Noir Cerise Vineyard 91 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Cali Pinot. Big and bold and not necessarily balanced but fun to drink. Blackberries, blueberries, black olives and intense. Blind one would guess Aussie Shiraz based on color and initial aromas. Medium finish. Hold a few years for best results.
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2005 Domaine Jean Garaudet Pommard Les Noizons 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard
Nice nose but thin on the palate. Cherry, celery, mushrooms and floral notes. Got better with time and a few years from now could get better. Hold!
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2005 Barnett Vineyards Merlot Spring Mountain District 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
By far wine of the night. Compared this against the 2007 Star Lane Merlot which the winery representative said it would compete with just about any California Merlot. There was no completion here as this received all votes in a blind side by side comparison in which both wines were decanted 2 hours. Complex wine with cherry, black olives, blueberries, spices and medium tannins. This still has a lot in the tank and will improve over the next few years but why wait? One of the best examples of California Merlot one will experience in the decade.
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2007 Star Lane Vineyard Merlot 91 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley
Not a bad wine but went head to head with 2005 Barnett Spring Mountain Merlot and received no first place votes in a blind tasting. Dark purple. Spice and oak overload but underneath this there is some nice fruit. This wine like the Barnett was decanted 2 hours. I would hold this wine right now and hope it will balance itself out over the next few years.
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1999 Clos de l'Oratoire 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Too much Brett for me. Once some of it blew off there was some fruit to be had. Blueberries, cherries and earth. Hold and hope it gets better.
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2007 Rivetto Barolo Del Comune Di Serralunga D'Alba 90 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Strange offering but did get better. Decanted 3 hours but probably need nine. Wood, spices, floral and funk. Very little fruit emerging. Simple hold on this wine. 88- 92.
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2004 Robert Biale Petite Sirah Royal Punishers 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Second best wine of the night and showing well. Earth, dark fruits, coffee and spices. Prunes on the finish and medium. Complex wine and one of the best examples of Petite Sirah from Cali. Drink now. Decanted about 1.5 hours.
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2007 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Zenith Vineyard 83 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
Terrible showing and the worst 07 St. Innocent I have tasted. Scorched earth dominates the nose and hard to get around. Some fruit on the palate but thin and tasted like eating stems from grapes. No balance and one of the worst wines I have tasted this year. Hopefully an off bottle but this is not the 07 White Rose.
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