An eclectic group of wines with friends

Last night, my partners and I got together to taste thru our recently bottled 2014 wines. As is the case, it is more of a fun dinner with three couples, some bottles from our cellars, good food and lots of laughs. This was our first time trying the 2014's, so I put my biased notes out there fwiw.

• 2013 Weltner Rödelseer Küchenmeister “Hoheleite” Riesling Großes Gewächs 93 Points

  Germany, Franken

  Wow, I really liked this wine. It comes in that rounded Franken shaped bottle, green glass. Screw capped. Light golden in color. The nose is a bit rounder than a typical German Riesling. Its got a nice minerality along with some citrus. Also a sort but not quite vanilla-esque note. On the palate, this is, of course, dry. The rounder take continues. It has plenty of acidity but not as crisp as more "typical" German Rieslings. That said, it is delicious with complexity and depth. 13.5% alcohol is certainly not noticeable except perhaps to give some added body. It seemed to get better all night. We saved a couple of glasses to drink tonight, so that should be illustrative. This was a Fass Selections wines.

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• 1993 Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione Alta Valle della Greve IGT 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Alta Valle della Greve IGT

  You have to like older wine or this will score much lower I think. It is older and past prime but still with a lot to offer. Ruby in color with some browning on the edges. The nose is great. Dusty with cherries, dried cherries, damp forest floor and slight earthiness. On the palate, the fruit is dried but still there. Tannins all fully resolved. Strong backbone of acidity. Lots of layers, not that deep but very interesting. I would, however, drink these up soon.

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• 1995 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  I know some don't like this bottling from this vintage. I have had great luck with it and this bottle was no exception. Just gorgeous although it did need an hour or two to really open up. Ruby in color with slight browning. The nose has cassis, tobacco, dust and slight dry crushed leaves. On the palate, still firm tannins but very nice cassis fruit. This is mature and seemingly at or just shy of peak. Layers of complexity. Good acidity. Great with food.

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• 2014 SonkinCellars Persona

  USA, California

  Our first time trying this since bottling. It is the most accessible Persona we have made so far. Nice upfront fruit. Deep but I would guess the complexity will come out more with time. It is very different, but we all agreed that it was very enjoyable. Won't be released until next fall, so I will have a chance to revisit this a few times before then to get a better handle on it.

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• 2014 SonkinCellars Unmasked

  USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands

  Wow. My biased view is this is sensational. The best unmasked yet. Credit goes to Paul Gordon and his Halcon vineyard. Great intensity. Lots of ripe, but not over ripe fruit. drinking really well now, but kept improving all night long. Can't wait to get another try at this. To be released in October.

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• 2014 Halcon Vineyards Syrah Alturas 90 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands

  Very different from our 2014 Unmasked which uses Halcon fruit. This seems to be picked earlier as it is not as ripe or juicy. Of course, which you prefer is individual preference. Purple in color. A nose of black cherries with some pepper. Nice backbone of acidity. Needs time to unwind and open.

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• 2011 Sine Qua Non Syrah Dark Blossom 96 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  This had been opened the day before but was tight. Tom and Kathy brought about half a bottle to dinner. It was really drinking well I thought. Purple in color, inky at the core. The nose has black raspberries, blueberries, black pepper, spice, tarragon and floral notes. Great texture. Very smooth and easy on the palate with lots of depth and tight layers. Obviously, this had a lot of air, but it did not hurt this in any way. Just delicious. It worked well food, not overpowering, but stimulating IMO.

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• 2011 Saxum Syrah Booker Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Tom opened this the night before and it was so tight, he left it for tonight. It still seems quite tight and restrained although it did open a bit in the glass. Probably best to not open for a while. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, some pepper and some char. On the palate, this is powerful, tannic and tight. delicious but not showing much complexity. Lots of fruit though.

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• NV Rare Wine Co. (Vinhos Barbeito) Madeira Historic Series Charleston Sercial Special Reserve 92 Points

  Portugal, Madeira

  This bottle had been open for a week. Really love this stuff. Dry. The nose shows some tea, maple, slight orange, slight chocolate. On the palate, deep and complex. Very smooth. Savory not sweet. A little goes a long way.

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Great night with friends, food and wine.