TRB Night

The theme was Thomas Rivers Brown wines. Centered on his different labels this lost its focus and became a night of different wines while we had 2 very nice ones from him.

• NV Benoît Lahaye Champagne Grand Cru Brut Essentiel

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Amber color; obvious extended age on lees, deep nutty autolysis, golden apple, slight brioche; softer acid, good richness, some red fruit, creamy, custardy mouthfeel, apple, Asian pear; yummy.

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• 2011 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Cloudy opaque core with brighter maroon rim; almost Pinot-like nose, spicy, obvious red fruit, juicy and enticing, red currant, ripe cherry liqueur, almost peppery; great texture, still youthful, dark cherry, silky tannin, deep, hardly any noticeable tannin, good acid and mid palate, candied red fruit; delicious though I may have called Pinot if tasted blind; very different than most TRBs I've had and sure the vintage had lots to do with it.

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• 2014 Sullivan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Lighter core with bright maroon rim; nose of oak spice, cedar, menthol, mocha, dark juicy fruit, black licorice, some green herbs, touch of eucalyptus; expansive on the palate, spicy, touch of heat, slight leather, char, sweeter black fruit and a suggestion of clay; good but not as focused or harmonious as the Rivers-Marie or Revana.

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• 2014 Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Terroir Series

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  Opaque core with bright dark purple rim; very floral nose, lots of spice, sexy, lovely black currant, cassis, exotic, vanilla well integrated into overall character; great mouthfeel, plush tannin, deep, layered, just a touch of noticeable alcohol, enough tannin and grip to balance out the rich fruit and spice; sexy stuff that is drinkable on cork pull.

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• 2013 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Maroon core with brighter lighter rim; intense nose of tart raspberry, cherry, is this Grenache?, candied floral reminiscent of young Italian, new oak, some briar, almost raisin but somehow not overripe in character; lighter mouthfeel when compared to the earlier Cabs, substantial and CdP-like, intense old vine, lovely, really enjoy drinkability; oh yeah- this was on day 2 of being opened; delicious.

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• 2014 McPrice Myers Terre Blanche

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  58% Viognier, 42% Roussanne; bright golden straw; waxy nose with lime zest, almost the lactic quality of Loire Chenin, honeysuckle, white flower, plump and rich, slight ginger gives this nice lift; this needed more air to open up as it was not expressing all that it can.

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• 2010 Navarro Vineyards Muscat Cluster Select Late Harvest

  USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

  8.3% ABV, 20.9% Residual Sugar; Sautern-esque nose, clean and pure, white raisin, marmalade, so peachy, pineapple, new oak?; intensely sweet but retains good acid, exotic quality which I associate with Muscat, its brightness makes me want to go back for more; a tasty faux Sauternes.

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Hard to say which was my favorite between the '11 Rivers Marie and the Carlisle. Sweet delicious juicy Cab or complex and unique Zinfandel?
Fun tasting of fairly eclectic, almost all Cali, offerings.