Livermore AVA + Wente Dinner with a ton of other wines

An insane day of wine tasting in Livermore, finishing off at Wente's restaurant with a ton of other non-Livermore wines. A really interesting opportunity to try out what Livermore has to offer. Our gracious and super informed hosts (some of the nicest people I've ever met in my life) sampled us through A LOT of wine (culminating in 40+ wines tried - not including additional barrel samples). A definite treat! I was humbled by the experience and enjoyed learning more about this particular AVA.

• 2001 Kalin Cellars Sauvignon Blanc

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  Oxidative and penetrating on the palate, with a lamp oil texture. Notes of dark candied honey, sherry, dried apricot, roasted salty almonds, and apple cider. Nearly identical to the 2001 Kalin Semillon.

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• 2001 Kalin Cellars Sémillon

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  Almost identical to the 2001 Kalin SB at this point, this Semillon strikes the same core flavors of sherry, dried apricot, roasted nuts, apple cider, and torched lemon peel. A little drier on the finish than the 2001 Kalin SB.

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• 2010 Sine Qua Non The Monkey 89 Points

  USA, California

  Rich and viscous, with a deep amber/gold hue. On the palate, heavier notes of honey, barbecue lemon, burnt citrus peel, lamp oil, and some dried apricot. A bit reductive and overall displaying past its prime, The Monkey showed best in the concentration and unctuous categories, but was on the back end of the bell curve in terms of freshness and energy; finished a little clumsy on the back end. Drink now...as in, right now...cuz you're already a little too late.

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• 2015 Fait-Main Chardonnay Penhoet Toyon Farm 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Same as all previous notes. Light and crisp, with good acidity and an overall breadth of flavor that still has its domestic roots in place. This had the most drive compared to the other five whites we tasted. It was also the most Burgundian of the lot. Ok to drink now, but I should really hold for a year to see what time does for this wine. 94-95+ points this go-around.

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• 2016 Occasio Chardonnay del Arroyo 88 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  Round and full with a buttered popcorn flavor that rode a bit over the traditional yellow citrus notes. Purity of fruit was nice, as was the supple finish that rounded out the back end decently. Drink now.

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• 2016 Nottingham Cellars Chardonnay Fraser-Howard Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  Yellow citrus, ripe lemon, hazelnut, lamp oil, and some burnt butter flavors competed with each other for center stage. A tad reductive and ripe for such a young Chardonnay. A decent sipper nonetheless; a little flat on the finish but making up for some of that with the giving flavors. Drink now.

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• 2016 Murrieta's Well The Whip 86 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  A crisp and light white with a simple delivery and light bodied mouthfeel. A nice summer type of sipper with tight acidity. The Orange Muscat component had a little bit of that, “one of these kids is doing his own thing” dynamic going on that threw off the overall profile a bit for me. I’m not mad at it; I just didn’t think it was able to totally groove with my palate necessarily.
  
  Pair with a garlic shrimp scampi drenched in butter sauce and you should be just fine.

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• 2015 Murrieta's Well Chardonnay Small Lot 89 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  A nice example of the varietal, with classic yellow citrus and light lemon and pear flavors. Some vanilla on the back end. Paired well with lemon chèvre.

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• 2015 Murrieta's Well Tempranillo Los Tesoros 86 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  Notes of black cherry, dark rhubarb, muddled blackberries, bitter coffee powder, and plum. An interesting take on the varietal, which I think was a little complicated by the addition of other blending varietals.
  
  I would’ve very much liked to have seen what this wine could have become without the addition of Petite Sirah, which seemed to over-fruit the attack. Purity of fruit was good, but the cohesiveness was lacking some for me.

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• 2015 Murrieta's Well Merlot Small Lot 90 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  A classic example of Merlot, with plum, black cherry, and cocoa powder dominating the delivery of flavor. Straightforward, but with some nice acidity that cut through what could have been an overly ripe attack. Paired great with mushroom flatbread.

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• 2015 Murrieta's Well Zarzuela

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  I couldn’t get a good read on this wine. Black cherry and plum flavors came forward, but there were other flavors that came up on the back end that caused it to come off a little over-ripe and bitter at the same time. I preferred the Tempranillo over this.

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• 2015 Wente Vineyards Chardonnay Nth Degree 91 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  This wine struck a nice balance between voluptuousness and verve, with deep lemon citrus, lemon curd, toasted marshmallow, and some ripe pear notes. A little rich and heavy, especially on the back end, but with enough frame to hold it all together. Mid-palate attack was very giving and forward. Drink now and over the next year or so.

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• 2015 Wente Vineyards Syrah Nth Degree 90 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  Blackberry, Trader Joe’s fig paste, olive, charcuterie, pastrami, and earth flavors dominated. A pretty gamey and earthy Syrah, with a fistful or really ripe fruit. An interesting take on the varietal, with a domestic-meets-Cornas effect going on. Short term clearing might do it well, but I probably wouldn’t cellar this for too long.

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• 2015 Wente Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Nth Degree 86 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  This was a little difficult for my Napa-trained palate to grasp on to. Some pleasurable flavors of currant, plum, black cherry, and hints of cedar. A little flat and hollow mid-palate, with some heavier plum influences rounding out the back end.

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• 2009 Steven Kent Winery Cabernet Sauvignon The Premier 85 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  A bit past its prime for my palate, but still displaying some familiar notes for the varietal. Dark plumy fruit core with earth and cedar notes.

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• 2011 Lineage Wine Company Lineage 87 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  Tasted as part of the 2011-2014 Lineage lineup.
  
  A good shot at a wine in a tough vintage. Good acid and frame, coupled with some nice red and black currant, plum, evergreen, and earth notes. There were hits of green bell pepper and cedar which made the wine come across a little thin and overly herbal for me. Elegant, but a tad bitter on the back end.

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• 2012 Lineage Wine Company Lineage 89 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  Tasted as part of the 2011-2014 Lineage lineup.
  
  This 2012 was round and accessible, with a light-to-medium-bodied profile. A smooth attack of red berry core fruit, red currant, raspberry, cherry, and some plum. Wood, camphor, and a touch of Christmas fruitcake and spice show up on the back end.
  
  This is in a “drink now” phase in my opinion, showing all of what I would expect this wine will offer at its best. Fairly light and soft overall, with superficial depth and concentration. Notably balanced, however, and an easy, food-friendly demeanor overall.

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• 2013 Steven Kent Winery Lineage 91 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  Tasted as part of the 2011-2014 Lineage lineup.
  
  The 2013 was the best of the bunch for me, kicking out decent energy and verve and showing the best ability to age. A fortified push across the palate of red berry core fruit: red cherry, red raspberry, red licorice, pomegranate, spice, and vanilla alcohol. Still showing quite a bit of heat on the back end, with a bracing acidity that grabbed the back of the mouth and brought a significant amount of jaw-clenching grip to the delivery.
  
  Luckily the acid acted as a vehicle rather than a blockade, carrying some of the red fruit flavor along with it as it rode its tension-driven finish on through the end.
  
  Not a sin to drink now with some air, but ideally a wine to hold until 2019+.

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• 2014 Steven Kent Winery Lineage 90 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  Tasted as part of the 2011-2014 Lineage lineup.
  
  Indicative of the vintage, this 2014 displayed its core fruit on the top layer, with accessible and round red berry, plum, and cherry notes on the immediate front end of the attack. Some Christmas spice emerged on the finish, adding some interest.
  
  More drive than the 2012 version, but sharing many similarities in terms of its overall display of flavors. Acid seemed on par with the 2012, and much lower than the 2013 (at least in the ways the wines carried themselves). The 2014 had the fullest mouthfeel of the four Lineage wines tasted, with just a touch less energy and verve than the 2013.
  
  Approachable and ready to drink now, but will hold up for a number of years as well.

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• NV Wente Vineyards Brut 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Seco

  Notes of Asian pear, grilled lemon spice, ripe red apple pulp, and bread dough. Medium-bodied and a touch heavy for a sparkler, missing some of the higher toned zing on the back end to provide lift and grip.
  
  When compared to the other sparklers at the table, it fell at the back of the pack. An easy sipper nonetheless and a good start to the evening’s festivities.

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• 2013 Ultramarine Blanc de Noirs Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Baked pear, apple pie crust, fried plantain, brioche, sea foam, and gray slate notes. A little ripe and heavy mid-palate, with a more voluptuous mouthfeel overall; somewhat funky on the finish, carrying additional notes of bread dough and ripe banana. There was enough cut and effervescence here to provide lift to the core fruit, and a saline note also added interest.
  
  I’m more than fine declaring that I liked it, yet, there was indeed a “but” with this wine... It was interesting, unique, and I’d hope to think crafted with quality in mind, BUT its funkaliciousness could be a little off-putting for some. In fact, it was off-putting for some at the table. It was distracting at times, and took away from what would otherwise be a purer form of what this wine might or could have been.
  
  91-92? points for me. In the end I’d revisit this wine, but I don’t know if I would travel to the ends of the earth for what has become its cult persona. I more preferred a NV Launois Champagne (served side-by-side) over this Ultramarine.

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• NV Launois Pere et Fils Champagne Grand Cru Veuve Clemence Brut Blanc de Blancs 93 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Of the three sparklers served at the table, this was the best expression of the trio in terms of overall purity, complexity, cut, and balance. Sophisticated notes of Asian pear, green apple pie, fresh bread dough, almond, and pumice. This maintained a creaminess without coming off too ripe or rich. A lovely balance of acid/cut with the fuller pear and bread flavors. A good deal of energy here, with the bubbles providing lift without overdoing on effervescence and muting the otherwise noteworthy core fruit. Flavorful and refreshing. 93+ points for me, especially given the nice $45 QPR.

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• 1981 Château Léoville Barton 85 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Diluted red currant, sandalwood, cedar, mulch, and dry dirt. Some interesting flavors that carried themselves in a balanced and ultra-feminine capacity. Elegance taken to the next level - fragility over finesse. More than a bit past its prime (if it had a prime?). Extraordinarily light on its feet, to the point that mid-palate was linear and fairly watery. Flavorless and weak on the back end, with little-to-no finish.
  
  Indeed, this has some redeeming qualities for the IPOB crowd, but it missed the mark a bit on my cyclops palate. Even as a BDX, this pushed the envelope of being too delicate and forgettable. The other wines at the table had a field day with this frail namby-pamby, like a pack of Bengal tigers using a kitten for a stretchy toy.

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• 2012 DuMOL Pinot Noir Estate 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Over a year and a half of time in bottle has certainly helped this wine evolve more in terms of the development of flavor and a relaxing of the tart, bracing acidity that it displayed back in April 2016. Notes of red raspberry, ripe cranberry, earth, and spice wrapped around the palate nicely. Mid-palate was fairly medium bodied, with decent (though not extraordinary) complexity.
  
  Drinking fine now as a PnP; another 6-12 months might bring about an even more balanced profile overall. 92+ points.

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• 2014 Ancillary Cellars Pinot Noir Sun Chase Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  A much different experience compared to when I had this wine a little over a year ago. Much more evolved and mature in terms of its overall display of ripe red fruit. Almost no tartness or sense of acidity to get in the way of the waves of flavor. Ripe red raspberry, baking spice, and earth cascaded over the palate.
  
  This was certainly the most fruit-driven and ripe Pinot at the table. All three were modern versions of the varietal, but this was touting its “all-in” commitment to flavor town. I wouldn’t bother sitting on this wine, as it appeared full throttle and ready to go on PnP.

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• 2013 Peirson Meyer Pinot Noir Miller Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  As mentioned by others, this displayed some candied notes of sweet, ripe red raspberry, cherry, dust, cedar, and some spice.
  
  Though the Ancillary Pinot served alongside it was a little more ripe, it displayed less of a sweet tinge when compared to this PM. The Ancillary was more fruit forward, but also a bit more balanced. Still, I found this PM to be a decent sipper, though its complexity was a little on the pedestrian side of the house. Drink now, as I don’t see this having much frame or acid to hold it together for more than a few years.

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• 2007 Ridge Monte Bello 88 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Surprisingly a bit past its prime for my preference (depending on how your palate is drawn to the different transitioning phases of this varietal). Notes of red currant, sandalwood, earth, bark, cedar, and hints of mushroom and redwood. Light-to-medium bodied, with a bit of a flat delivery of flavors overall. Mid-palate was lacking some concentration, especially in terms of the wine’s ability to push the flavors on through the initial attack and into the back end. Not a lot of drive on this wine.
  
  Delicate, feminine, and elegant (perhaps) are all the quasi-positive words that come to mind here. Fragile, weak, and thin are some of the “other” words that also come to mind. To be fair, this wine displayed a nice balance and was very accessible. Michelin star restaurants like this wine because it won’t jack up the nuanced fare they are trying to impress you with; so we can call it good in that regard. For me, it just didn’t have much personality or hold any actual flavor interest. It was more like a timid BDX rather than an expression of the domestic terroir from which its lineage is derived.
  
  86-89 points depending on where you stand with the IPOB crowd.

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• 2014 Hunnicutt Cuvée Equite 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This was a decent showing with this wine. For me, it unfortunately got lost in the shuffle of some other heavy hitters at the table. Medium-bodied, with a pleasant attack of round darker fruit. This showed indicative of the accessible 2014 vintage in my opinion. Medium complexity with a round and easy finish.

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• 2012 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Flawed

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Aaaaagh! Mother-lovin' holy dammit all! Horribly corked right out of the gate. On initial "pop" (or rather, "puuhf"), the cedar and vinegar smell launched right out of the bottle. Such the bummer, and at a restaurant no less. This was one of the bottles I brought, too. (Insert dramatic sigh *here*)...
  
  NOTE: Bottle replaced by Dan at Carter. The BEST customer service around!

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• 2015 12c Cabernet Sauvignon G3 Reserve Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  On par with what I've experienced with the 12C GIII Reserve, this 2015 version was displaying some interesting (almost funky and earthy) dark red and black core fruit flavors, laced with cedar and mulch on the back end. I liked it, but it made me think this wine needs more time to find whatever glide it will eventually settle into. A little "here and there" with its delivery. Lacking some smoothness, but hinting at upside in a few years. It reminded me a bit of a Quivet Pellet with its more unrefined and rustic profile.
  
  This '15 was MUCH more accessible than the '13 was at a similar age (the '13 had a bit of a sting to it last year), but the '15 seemed a little more tripped up in its glide across the mid-palate currently. The cedar element clipped it a bit. A conservative 92-93+ points for now. Hold until 2019+

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• 2012 Bacio Divino Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  A really great showing on this wine. Sifting through the droves of wine at the table, this was probably my WOTN (next to a ‘13 Bevan McGah that was also performing well). PnP was a little tight with the Janzen, but some swirling in the glass and consumption over the course of four+ hours really brought out some beautiful red and black core fruit. A powerful wine to be sure, with a saturated and concentrated mid-palate attack, but an equal amount of grip and acid to weigh-in with all of the flavor.
  
  Ideally this could benefit from another year+ in bottle, but would drink more than fine with a healthy decant. Otherwise, hold until 2019+. 95-96+ points.

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• 2012 Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon McGah Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Previous notes apply. Served side-by-side with a 2013 Bevan McGah (and a whole bunch of other wines at the table). A smooth delivery of black (predominantly), blue, and some reddish-purple core fruit. Some spice and earth on the tail end of its silky finish. The attack was a sumptuous glide of fruit. A little soft on the back end, but with some lift provided by some super subtle black rock and spice flavors.
  
  A little bit Hall & Oates overall, with its appealingly steady sauntering across the palate, but with enough sophistication to hold interest. A little less drive than it’s 2013 younger brother. Drink now and over the next few years.

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• 2013 Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon McGah Vineyard 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  A very good showing for this wine tonight. It was up there with WOTN among all the other wines at the table (tied with a ‘12 Janzen Missouri Hopper). This 2013 Bevan McGah was served next to its 2012 older brother. The 2012 was extremely “smooth jazzy-rock” when compared to the more lively Velvet Revolver attitude of the 2013.
  
  Predominantly black and dark (dark!) red core fruit, with black cherry, black raspberry, blackberry, black asphalt, baking spice, earth, and some clove flavors all jumping out of the glass on PnP. The attack was solid and sophisticated; a lot of energy behind it, while still maintaining a silky back end delivery of flavors with a smooth, enveloping mouthfeel on the rear drive.
  
  I think this wine is firing off quite nicely now on PnP (with just some swirling in the glass). Decanting or over-exposure to air might not be the best idea (given last time I had this wine, it went into a plumy stage after a lot of air). This bottle never went there, but we consumed it as a PnP out of the bottle only. Drink now and over the next few years. Topping out at 95-96 points.

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• 2010 Shafer Relentless 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Same as all of my previous notes. Always a solid performer. A bit of air coaxed out some really nice bitter chocolate, tar, railroad tie, and black pebbly flavors to accompany the core black fruit.
  
  This overran a SQN Stock served next to it. The SQN was a beautiful wine to be sure, but the Shafer had a more concentrated mid-palate and some additional complexity of flavor. 94-95 points.

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• 2012 Sine Qua Non Syrah Stock 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Notes of blackberry, funky earth, wet hay, limestone, black pepper, hard salami, campfire, and garrigue. A little furry on the palate, with the flavors finishing a bit gritty and fuzzy. Some air smoothed it out some, but the back end was still a bit like licking a bear paw (which, of course, is something I frequently do in my spare time). Mid-palate was a little flat, even with the array of interesting flavors darting around.
  
  As a science project, this wine is indeed fascinating. I liked it; it surely has a beautiful side to it...kinda like a Jackson Pollock painting - unique and captivating on some levels, but kinda all over the place on another. One lens sees a gorgeous and enchanting work of art; another lens sees a bunch of paint haphazardly thrown on some canvas. I'm kinda in the middle with this wine.
  
  92-93+ points? Hold for another year just to see what evolution might arise from some more time in bottle. For now, it showed a little wonky for me overall. A 2010 Shafer Relentless served side-by-side added insult to injury with the SQN. The Relentless was the older brother with a good job and a nice house. The SQN is still sleeping on mom's couch.

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• 2015 Clos Solène Fleur de Solène 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Black raspberry, cranberry, red and black currant, cassis, white pepper, and tart plum. A lot of unresolved flavors going on here. The stuffing is certainly there, but this needs more time. Give it at least 2+ years to come around. 91+? points with upside after 2020.

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• 2014 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  STOP! TOO YOUNG! DANGER, DANGER WILL ROBINSON!
  
  Not atypical of a Clape Cornas, this primary, pissed-off little spider monkey was a spitfire full of tart, constricted, dry, and biting flavors (if "flavors" is even the right word to use here). A few somewhat discernible notes of crunchy cranberry, alcohol, salted meat, and bitter rhubarb. A total saliva sucker, with a rush of heat on the back end.
  
  Not even really worth evaluating for another decade. Hold until North Korea embraces capitalism.

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