Saturday afternoon tasting at Chuck's

Chuck's Fine Wines
Tasted Sunday, June 26, 2016 by Loren Sonkin with 342 views

Introduction

I stopped by a local wine store yesterday to sample some mostly Rhone wines. A nice way to spend Saturday afternoon after all the yard work is done.

Flight 1 (10 Notes)

  • 2015 Château de Ségriès Tavel 90 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Tavel

    This is really nice. Exceeds my expectations. Light ruby in color. The nose has cherries and raspberries. Nice texture. Very supple. On the palate, refreshing. Lots of cherry fruit with some oranges which is unusual but nice. Good acidity. Good finish. Excellent value.

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  • 2015 Alain Jaume Côtes du Rhône Blanc Reserve Grand Veneur 90 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

    I am starting to get excited about 2015 as so many rose's and whites are really good. This was no exception. Light golden in color. The nose has a real pretty quality. Also some peaches and slight wax. On the palate, this has a good acidity, yet also a roundness. Will work with food but drinks well on its own. Should be a crowd favorite. Great value.

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  • 2013 Winterwood Pinot Noir 78 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey

    Blech. Ruby in color. The nose is mostly vacant. Slight cherry juice. On the palate, this is under ripe, slight cherry juice, and bitter. can't decide what is more bothersome, the the green streak or the bitterness. I didn't hear anyone saying they liked it.

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  • 2014 Château de Ségriès Côtes du Rhône 90 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

    Wow, this was way better than expected. I had low expectations but this seemed to be a crowd favorite. That's why you open the bottle. Purple in color. On the nose there is cherries, dark cherries with a bit of spice. Pretty ripe fruit for a 2014. On the palate, there is a bit of complexity. Nice texture. Plenty of cherry fruit. Slight tannins. Good finish. Tried again later and just as good (from a different bottle).

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  • 2012 Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape 91 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    This had been decanted which I think helped. Good showing. Purple in color. The nose is pretty with raspberries, black cherries, spice and herbs. Not a monster. medium bodied. Juicy acidity. Black and red raspberries on the palate. Nice finish. There is a bit of complexity and some tannins. Probably needs a few years, but won't be along term ager. Still, it was outstanding right now.

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  • 2010 Bodegas Olarra Rioja Laztana Reserva 88 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

    I didn't remember having this before but I see on CT that I did and thought about the same. Here is what I wrote back this spring: "This was nice. Ruby in color. The nose has cocoa, cherries, and a bit of spice. Light to medium bodied. On the palate, this drinks easily but good. Cherries, light tannins. A bit of acidity. Nice finish. Nothing profound but for $15, certainly pleasurable." That sums it up.

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  • 2008 Pietroso Brunello di Montalcino 89 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

    Ruby/purple in color. The nose has nice cherries, some dust. On the palate, this is a bit reserved. Nice cherry flavors. Not much depth. Good acidity. A fine wine that is enjoyable to drink.

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  • 1991 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 93 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    At the end of a store tasting, there were 8 of us who agreed to split the cost of this bottle ($230). The cork came out in one piece. We decanted for sediment but there was not a lot and let it breathe about 10 minutes. Light ruby in color. Initially, this was all about black olives. We gave it some time and and a lot of swirling. I enjoyed my pour over about 30 minutes. It needed a bit more air, but was quite good. He nose always showed some black olives. With air, there were some black raspberries and roasted herbs as well. A bit of dried fruit but mostly fresh. On the palate, the wine is vibrant. Good acidity. Good black raspberry fruit. It has a nice complexity with layers of olives, earth and black raspberries. Nice finish. Not an amazing wine, but outstanding and a real treat on a Saturday afternoon.

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  • 2014 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    The owner brought this over. It had been opened for a few hours. My first time trying this vintage. Very good. Not a monster. There is fruit, but not like the prior couple of years. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, spice, some cocoa. On the palate, there is a juiciness that is nice. Good cassis fruit. Nice finish. Really enjoyable for me and I am sure quite a few people. similar to prior years with the volume turned just a bit lower.

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  • 2010 Wilson Winery Late Harvest, Duet 87 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    I might have the vintage wrong. The label said this was "A smooth Amber after dinner wine with essences of natural hazelnut". Whatever. it was nice enough. A small pour was plenty. dark brown in color. The nose was more coffee. On the palate, this was viscous. A bit nutty. Some heat. Not sure what I would call it, but a small pour after dinner would be nice.

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Closing

Fun day!

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