Pride, Thackrey, Kapcsandy, Chidaine & Santana

Last night, my wife and I ventured across town to friends of ours. We were joined by mutual friends Kathy and Tom. We all brought wines while our hosts prepared and excellent meal. As Tom and I discussed what wines to bring, a slight theme of mini verticals was decided on. A few more wines were thrown in. All wines were consumed non-blind in a social situation. We did have multiple glasses per person available to compare and contrast.

Served with French Onion Bites (basically French onion soup without the liquid on crusty toasted bread), while standing around talking.
These were too good as I ate too many and was very full for dinner. Oh well ;-)

• 2006 Mumm Napa Santana Supernatural Rose 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This is a charity project by Mumm and Carols Santana. Very pale copper in color. Thin mousse in a Champagne flute with a modicum of med/small bubbles. The nose has slight cherries and some green apple. I usually drink sparklers from a Chard glass which shows more aromatics so perhaps that would have helped. The palate is a bit stronger with cherries and raspberries. Just the barest amount of sweetness showing. A slightly bitter quality on the finish. A very nice starter but fell short of outstanding.

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With Crustless Caprese Quiche. A bit more finger food while standing around talking.

• 2010 François Chidaine Vouvray Sec Les Argiles 93 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

  Great showing from this wine. Drained quite quickly. Light golden in color. The nose is great with pineapple, some lemon, a saline quality and some honey. Slightly sweet. There is pineapple and lemons on the palate with a mineral quality. Nice acidity. Complex. Long finish.

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With Salad Nicoise and vegetarian Cassoulet
The 2005 was actually not served until later in the evening, but I list it here for geek comparison.

• 2001 Pride Mountain Vineyards Syrah 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Purple in color. Still drinking young and in no danger of going over the hill. I doubt it improves though. The nose has black raspberries, slight floral notes and a bit of black pepper. Just the slightest bit of toasty oak. On the palate, this has tight layering. Juicy acidity. Slight tannins. Lots of black raspberry fruit. Nice finish. Lovely wine.

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• 2005 Pride Mountain Vineyards Syrah 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Actually came back to this one late in the night as we wanted one more bottle (it had been my backup). Very similar to the others. Purple in color. The last bottle I had about 4 years ago was shut down. This was open and drinking very well. The nose had black raspberries, some toasted oak, a bit of vanilla, some black pepper and violets. Full bodied. Tightly layered complexity on the palate. juicy acidity. Lots of black raspberry fruit. Lovely texture. long finish. Great showing.

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• 2010 Pride Mountain Vineyards Syrah 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Probably the best of the three (01, 05 and 10). This is still quite young but open for business. The nose has lush black raspberry fruit, charred wood, some black cherries and an interesting menthol note. Lush velvety texture. Juicy black raspberry fruit. Nice backbone of acidity. Long finish. Easily has ten probably twenty more years.

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Still with the Salad Nicoise and Cassoulet.
While I found it the best flight of the night, some disagreed and found the Pride flight better.

• 1998 Sean Thackrey Orion Rossi Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  I bought this bottle on release and have stored it. Great showing. Still has a long life ahead as this was drinking with some age but I would not have guessed for 17 years from vintage. Purple in color with the slightest ruby on the rim. The nose has black raspberries, blueberries, floral notes, a bit of truffles and a slight mineral note. On the palate, this is juicy and delicious. Tight complex layers of fruit, black raspberry, black cherries, blueberries, along with black licorice and a bit of crushed rock. Nice acidity. Long finish. I think at peak and doubt it gets better.

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• 2010 Sean Thackrey Orion Rossi Vineyard 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  Take everything the 98 had, and pack it into a tight ball and that's the 2010. It was great now, but I would hold these for a lot longer (ten years would be fair). Inky purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, spice, licorice, violets and toast. Lovely juicy yet velvety texture. Tons of fruit and very deep on the palate, yet this is a very delineated wine. Everything is still so tightly packed, it was delicious as it unwound in the glass. Long finish.

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With a cheese plate and artisanal chocolates

• 2007 Kapcsándy Family Winery Vino Del Sol State Lane Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville

  Slightly improved from when I tried it last five years ago. It drinks more like a vintage port (or perhaps a single quinta might be more accurate). The nose has cherries, and chocolate covered raisins. Smooth, unctuous texture. Lots chocolate covered cherries on the palate. Smooth with not heat showing. A nice end to the dinner.

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As I have said many times, this is my favorite way to drink wines. Dinner at a slow pace with friends providing lots of interesting conversation and tons of laughter. At some point we noted that for some, drinking wines of this caliber ("only low 90's) would be a disappointment, but it is not for me. These wines had so much to offer that would sometimes get lost in a mega-hundred point evening. And besides, that is not the point of these wines. These wines were outstanding and none cost more than $100 (at least on release) most less than half of that. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy those huge restaurant dinners or mega bottle tastings, but drinking great wines, casually, relaxed at home or a friends home, is personally my favorite. I need to get back to doing more of this. Thanks so much to Sharon and Sashi for hosting.