Dinner with Johnny and Chris

Whisk (Chicago, IL)
Tasted Monday, October 6, 2014 by beezer6 with 315 views

Introduction

BYOB burgers and tacos.

Flight 1 (9 Notes)

  • 2006 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 96 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    I was lucky enough to have been saved a taste from Johnny and Chris' dinner at RPM Steak the night before. Thanks guys - really.
    Stunning array of aromas. From dark black cherry, elegant soy and hoisen as well as exotic Asian spice, baking spices, deep dark purple flowers. Fantastic.
    The palate is robust and rich. I could tell it had been open for a while, but there was still plenty of life in the finish. Gorgeous fruit, earth and spice. Long finish.
    Extremely well made. Schrader literally always delivers.

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  • 2012 Deovlet Chardonnay Solomon Hills Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

    Moderate toast and richness. Lemon curd, some alone butter, minerals, balanced and very food friendly.
    I highly recommend searching out the wines from Deovlet. They're exceptional - especially at their reasonable price point.

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  • 2012 Paul Lato Pinot Noir Duende Gold Coast Vineyard 94 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

    Wine of the night. From the start this was so so pretty. Lovely bright ripe strawberries and cream, rose petals and other bright red and pink floral components.
    Some light earth, tar and fresh truffles and lightly smoked meat.
    Very feminine and flawless aromatically. This is what California Pinot should smell like.
    The palate is smooth and silky. More bright red berries, touches of earth and peppery spice. Long finish. Light and supple qualities but very complex. Highly recommended.

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  • 2011 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    From 375 ml. Darker more masculine than the Paul Lato. Dark spice driven red berries, some smoke, rich mossy earth and dark minerals. Moderate complexity in the mouth. Wanted a little bit more.
    Finish was fine but not the usual KB length and complexity. Very nice still, but the Lato blew this away on this day.

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  • 2010 Mark Herold Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Heady aromas from the start. In the style of Merus - I can see the big blockbuster ripe plum and purple fruit, cassis, leather and graphite. Some dark coal and gray spice elements.
    The palate is big. After some time being open it fell into more harmony but this isn't for everyone. Rich and saturated. Inky but still nice acid on the finish.
    Purple fruit city. Solid but maybe a bit steep on the tariff in terms of QPR.

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  • 2009 Epoch Estate Wines Syrah Block B Paderewski Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    In my experience with these wines they tend to come across as overdone, highly extracted, often hot and generally disjointed.
    This was barely an exception. The wine from the pop and pour was porty, quite alcoholic on the nose and in line with my previous beliefs.
    After an hour or so it did soften up but still didn't really come around to where I would have been able to enjoy it more - I could barely finish my glass - just so big.
    Dark blackberries, dark chocolate and lava rocks. The plate is all dark fruit up front with some spice. Not too complex. Still hot on the finish.
    For this price and pedigree I want more.

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  • 2010 Martinelli Zinfandel Vellutini Ranch 93 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Nice sweetness to this wine. With some nice air this actually didn't come across like the 16.9% alcohol the label read. Deep dark rich blackberries and spice. Licorice, coal and peppercorns.
    Lovely masculine textbook style of Zinfandel but well harnessed with some surprisingly vibrant acidity on the finish. Didn't come across as hot, just chewy and quite voluptuous.

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  • 2009 Carlotta Cellars Betty 92 Points

    USA, California

    Low toned Syrah. Popped and poured near the end of the meal. Johnny didn't like it as much as Chris and myself but that figures. Dark blueberry compote, dark cocoa and savory bacon fat. Subtle qualities. Lower alcohol at just 13.1% - what I've been preferring these days. Nice bottling but limited notes.

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  • 2003 Williams Selyem Gewürztraminer Late Harvest Vista Verde Vineyard 94 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, San Benito County

    Fantastic end to the meal. Had brought this out on several other occasions with the guys but never ended up opening it.
    Nice rich marmalade, peach fuzz, white and yellow flowers, moderate roasted nut butter. Really nice. Long expansive palate. Gorgeous and sweet but still great acidity. Lemon curd, more fresh peach and light touches of wood chips. Really pretty and a great silky mouth feel. Still so so young. Didn't show a bit of age.

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