Mike G. does Cleveland
Landerwood Pool & Tennis
Tasted Thursday, October 5, 2017 by Loren Sonkin with 501 views
Introduction
Last night our good friend Mike Grammer visited Cleveland from Toronto. In the small world of things, Mike's best friend from childhood lives very close to us. Mike tends to visit regularly and when he does, we try to get the wine people together and open a bottle or two. Last night was one of those nights. The theme was something interesting or good from your cellar - or both. We had about 25 people attend. I tried to get to all the wines but lost track. I think I did. It was also a pot luck event with lots of varied foods. I did a combination of spitting and not spitting as the wines were quite good and/or interesting.
The wines are presented in the order tasted. As people came and went and other bottles were sure to empty quickly, my tasting order was a bit of a hodgepodge.
Flight 1 (33 Notes)
Closing
Thanks to all for stepping up and joining us and the food and wine contributions. And its always great to see Mike. He is embarking on an 18 day "wine tour of the east coast". I think we got him started off on the right (if slightly wet) foot. (You had to be there).
2007 Dr. Konstantin Frank Rkatsiteli Flawed
USA, New York, Finger Lakes
Corked. Not a great way to start a tasting. It had nice color and wasn't terrible but enough. Too bad as I have only had this once before and really don't know much about it (and especially not with age).
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2007 Markko Pinot Noir Majestic Rose 87 Points
USA, Ohio, Lake Erie
At some point, I noticed that no one had tried this but me. Understandable, but I nudged people to try it. It is good if not great. It has held up nicely. 2007 was an exceptional in Lake Erie/Ohio. Light ruby in color. Very nice nose (better than the palate). Earthy and dusty with cranberries and cherries. Also some rhubarb. On the palate, this is very tart. Cranberries and Rhubarb. Some complexity. Medium tannins. Slightly bitter but very long finish. All in all a very interesting wine and worth drinking.
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1998 Paloma Syrah 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
Wow. Much better and younger showing than prior bottles of this. This was an auction pick up a few years back for $5 per bottle. It is an older Napa styled Syrah. To me that means a bit less full throttle than today's Syrahs of those from Paso or SB. The alcohol is lower as well. Deep Ruby (not purple), clear and bright. The nose is earthy and dusty with black cherries and black pepper. Nice body to it. Slight heat. Black cherries on the palate. Slight tannins. Nice depth and complexity. It added weight with air and was still kicking at the end of the night. Definitely showing some age but in a good way (for me).
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2006 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 95 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
From Magnum. This took a while to open and kept getting better all night (I checked in on a couple times later). Deep ruby in color. The nose is very nice. Earthy with plums, dark cherries, some spice and leather. On the palate, this has a nice complexity to it. I would think at or damn close to peak. Great texture and balance. Layers of black cherries and plums with minerals/rocks and spice. Long finish.
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2012 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard 100 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Wow. This is very young but that is the only thing about this wine to complain about. Light golden in color. The nose is great with lemon curd, crem brulee, ever so slightly nutty, and spice. On the palate, this is seamless. The texture is the first thing that stands out. Creamy. Deep and complex. Crem brulee with citrus and minerals. Great balance. Long, long finish. Just outstanding. While I scored it 100, it may even get better as it matures (at least different). A real WOW wine.
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2004 Sine Qua Non Syrah Ode to E 97 Points
USA, California, Central Coast
Honestly, I though this was the Grenache but I asked and was told it was the Syrah. It was an awesome wine just seemed to have a bit more red fruit than I remember. That could be as I was drinking in a haphazard order and this was right after a Marcassin Chard. In any event. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, spice, char, and some roasted meats. What a great texture. Round and almost seamless. Deep and layered. Black raspberries, black cherries, and very clean. At age 13, this is still drinking youthfully with a long life ahead. It is ageing just fine. Long finish. Of course, I couldn't go back and try later as the bottle was drained. A delicious and complex wine.
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2007 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Herrenweg de Turckheim 91 Points
France, Alsace
I have had this a few times and every time I feel like there must be some Gewurtz in the blend. Probably not, but it shows that way. Light golden in color. The nose is clean with lychees and minerals. Some tropical fruit as well. Slightly viscous texture. Almost dry. The lychees continue to the palate along with some pineapple. A bit bitter on the finish. Drinking very well now and while it may or may not improve, no hurry on this at all.
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2001 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl 96 Points
France, Alsace
I seemed to like this better than some but a lot of people really liked it. It is sweet, not cloying, but VT (its not labeled that) sweet. Medium golden in color. The nose shows peaches, slight floral notes and honey. On the palate, this is sweet. Velvety texture. Deep and complex. Enough acidity to carry everything easily. Long finish. The kind of wine that makes you stop and notice and slow down. Just fantastic.
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2014 Realm Cellars The Bard 98 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
This seemed to be the groups unofficial WOTN and it was close. I was surprised how open this was with pop and pour (probably had 30 minutes of air when I got to it). This is everything I want in a Napa cab. Not over done, but still ripe Napa fruit. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, char and spice. A bit of fresh leather too. On the palate, a seamless texture. Cassis fruit. Deep. Long finish. Young but unwinds in the glass to show deep complexity. And delicious.
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2014 Carter Cellars Hossfeld Coliseum 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
I seemed to like this more than most. It is the kind of wine that is more elegant and perhaps with all the bigger wines it got lost a bit. I am guessing it is Merlot and with lots of Cabs and Syrahs, that probably did not help it. It is also young and tight. Purple in color. The nose has great dark chocolate covered cherries. Also some spice and a bit of sawdust. On the palate, this is juicy with dark cherries and a bit of chocolate. Nice "thinned out jelly" texture is the best I can do. Good finish. Needs time of course, but excellent.
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1999 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
What a great showing for this wine. I might have thought this to be past peak or getting close but this seemed right at peak. Purple/ruby in color. The nose is great with cherries, dark cherries, cigar tobacco and slight earthiness. Perhaps a bit of dust/ash. On the palate, this is layered wit complexity. Earth, cherries and dried cherries and tobacco. It all comes together in a nicely aged Bordeaux package. Good finish. Doubt this gets any better but (this bottle anyway) is at peak.
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2013 Saxum James Berry Vineyard 97 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles Willow Creek District
Surprised by how open this was. Perhaps as it is a blend, it gets some complexity from that. In any event, it is of course young with some improvement ahead. Purple in color. The nose has dark cherries, black raspberries and plums. Also some cedar and roasted herbs. A lot going on, it was hard to pick out everything. Maybe some black pepper. Great juicy, velvety texture. Good acidity. Deep and complex. No heat. Its big. Delicious. Long finish.
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2011 Booker Vineyard Grenache The Ripper 95 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
The label indicates 100% Grenache. Ruby/purple in color. The nose is great with dark cherries, some spice and also pepper. On the palate, this is not a monster wine. Perhaps the vintage but everything seems to be in its proper proportion. Much less on the throttle than the bigger wines on the table. Still young but showing a tight layering of cherries with spice and minerals. Good acidity. Nice fresh finish. Very pretty wine. Don't get me wrong, this is not a shrinking violet. Just not as big as other vintages or nearby wineries.
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2012 Jeff Cohn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
This is actually labelled as Jeff Cohn Cellars. CT says it's the same thing so I believe them. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, black olive and dust. Interesting. On the palate, this drinks more Bordeaux like than a full throttle Napa cab. Cassis, some underlying char and a bit of forest floor/tobacco. Nice finish.
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2010 Small Vines Wines Pinot Noir Baranoff Vineyard Flawed
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Corked.
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2010 Linne Calodo "Martyr" 95 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
From Magnum. Really cool to drink this side by side with the 06 Beaucastel. Very similar wines. It was more fruit forward and less complex (and 4 years younger) and perhaps a bit rougher. Purple in color. The nose has plums, dark cherries, roasted meats and spice. On the palate, this is delicious. Deep. Young. Lots of dark cherries with some plums. Great round texture. Nice balance. Long finish. Still needs air or time, but quite excellent right now.
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2011 Pierre Gonon Ardèche Les Iles Feray 91 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Ardèche
I don't drink much Gonon but read about his wines often. David said this is their entry level which I found quite good. More fruit than I was expecting and pretty classic northern Rhone in style. Ruby/purple in color. The nose is black raspberries, bacon fat and slight violets. A bit of funk emerges in the glass. On the palate, this is not as developed as the nose. Still nice black raspberry fruit with some depth to it. Juicy acidity. Nice finish.
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2009 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul 94 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Shows what a great night this was when no one was even mentioning this wine. I was surprised to pick it up and see the label. Outstanding wine. The 09 vintage is a strange one as it seems to never have shut down but also hasn't improved a whole lot (at least not yet). The nose has dark cherries, spice, cedar, and minerals. On the palate, good acidity. Upfront cherries and dark cherries. Lush. A mineral under layer. Long finish. Not as big as say 07 but still pretty big. A bit left in the bottle so I will finish it up today.
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2013 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat Special Selection 95 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Nice to get a chance to revisit this again. Thanks Charlie. This strikes a middle ground between the massive Cal Cabs and the more BDX styled ones. Of course, I like them all. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, cherries, dark chocolate and spice. On the palate, there is an elegance here. The dark cherry fruit with chocolate makes me think Merlot but I am not sure of the makeup. Lovely texture but plenty of structure for the long haul. May still improve.
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2012 Lewelling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Wight 95 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
One of those wines that needed to pushed a bit onto people and then they said, "wow, what is this?". Purple in color. The nose is big with cassis, spice, slight vanilla but also some graphite. On the palate, this is a big upfront Cab. Cassis and oak (Vanilla and spice) with strong tannins. It is delicious at the same time. Juicy thick texture. Long finish. Perhaps not for everyone but most people loved it.
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2007 Wolfberger Pinot Gris Rangen 91 Points
France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru
Very nice. This is sweet although not marked in any way that I saw. Golden in color. The nose has honey, apricots, pears and ginger. Slightly viscous. Sweet bordering on dessert level. Honey and pears but good acidity to carry it. Long finish.
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2013 Lariana Cellars Viognier 92 Points
Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA
This was another surprise and had the crowd commenting on how good it was. Light golden in color. The nose was more Rhone styled in that the floral aspects really dominated. I am not good with flower names but white flowers and violets seem to lift from the nose but also some peaches. On the palate, this is not over done as so many CA Viogniers are for my tastes. Elegant and light but not wimpy. Fresh peach flavors with nice minerality. Good acidity. Nice finish. Lovely wine even at this late stage in the evening. Refreshed and woke up my palate.
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2011 Orofino Vineyards Syrah Scout Vineyard 91 Points
Canada, British Columbia, Similkameen Valley
Excellent Syrah. Some liked it more than I but everyone really liked it and another new discovery. Drinks cooler climate, lower alcohol in style. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper and slight roasted herbs. On the palate, black raspberry fruit with nice herbal notes. Good finish. A bit understated until it develops in the glass. Probably some upside potential here.
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2006 Calvet Réserve de l'Estey 87 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc
Brought by non-geek friends of ours (who also brought an Outstanding Vegetable lasagna) which I found very thoughtful. Honestly, I had low expectations but this is a sold Bordeaux that is drinking well right now. I might not age it a lot longer, but the people I asked seemed to agree with me about it. I don't recall ever trying this wine in any vintage before and that was also very cool. Purple in color. The nose is dusty with cherries and tobacco. On the palate, this has some layering with cherries and forest floor. Medium to light bodied. Clean and better with some food. Happy to drink this anytime but especially brought by friends.
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2014 Ferren Wines Chardonnay Frei Road Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
And yet another new wine for me. As it turns out, I have had way more than my usual number of chards in the past couple weeks and I am liking them more than i might have thought. This one included. Light golden in color. The nose has lemon curd and vanilla and a bit of fresh cut lumber. On the palate this is smooth with some depth. Lemons, vanilla and slight grapefruit. Good acidity. In many ways it is like the Marcassin only dialed down across the board but especially the precision. That is not meant as a slap as this wine is outstanding in its own right.
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1989 Château Suduiraut 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Deep iced tea color. The nose is great with honey, pineapple and apricots. Also a slight coffee note. On the palate, this is slightly sweet, slightly viscous. The honey is there but not much fruit. Still it has a nice complexity. It turns a bit bitter on the finish. Seems a bit past prime perhaps but still has a lot to offer.
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2002 Daniel Lenko Viognier Icewine 96 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
Wow. This was showing great. After all the wines, this grabbed my attention. At age 15, it shows youthful. Mike poured this at his cellar party last year and it seemed better and younger than I remember. Light gold in color. The nose is awesome with honey, white floral notes, and peaches. On the palate, this is viscous with great acidity. It is sweet, not cloying. Peaches and honey but still fresh. Long finish. This bottle just seemed so much fresher than I remembered. Thank you Mike.
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1997 Joseph Phelps Eisrébe 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
This seemed a past prime although it still had something to offer. Deep golden in color. The nose is nice. Someone said it is Schuerebe. I take their word on it. Minerals and honey. On the palate, this is sweet but flabby. Not really cloying, but it lacks much acidity. It is pleasant with sort of a honeyesque quality. Drink up.
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1997 De Loach Gewürztraminer Late Harvest 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Golden in color. The nose is great with lychees and apricots and simple syrup. On the palate, there is a nice acidity here. Lychees and apricots. Sweet but not overtly. Long finish. Really a very nice showing.
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2010 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Murto Vineyard 92 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Lovely, more elegantly styled Oregon Pinot. Ruby in color. The nose has cherries, dried cherries and slight mushroom. On the palate, this is tight but unwinds in the glass to show a nice cherry and earthy layering. Good balance. Nice finish. Worked better with some food.
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2007 Kutch Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
From Magnum. From back when Jamie's wines were a bit bigger (which is also fine with me). Deep ruby in color. Cherries, raspberries and slight root beer on the nose. The later I hadn't experienced in quite a while and I liked it. On the palate, black cherries and black raspberries. Just a hint of earthiness. Still developing. Nice finish. This is a pretty big Pinot but drinking very well right now.
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2012 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
From Magnum. This seemed to show up later in the evening. Purple in color. The nose is nice with cherries and spice and slight dust and tobacco. On the palate, sort of one dimensional. I am sure it would be better on its own than in this setting. A fine wine if nothing special.
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2013 Buoncristiani OPC Proprietary Red 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Very nice wine. Purple in color. The nose is unique with cherries and black raspberries along with roasted meats and herbs a its a bit peppery. On the palate, this is easy drinking with some complexity. Lots of red and purple fruits if a bit indistinguishable. Good finish.
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