Friday Night Brown Bagger

Eagle Brook Country Club
Tasted Friday, February 19, 2021 by AllRed with 93 views

Introduction

The Friday group gathered for the regular tasting. We were able to utilize one of the private rooms at the country club which provided our small group of eight with plenty of space. Thanks to all for a very lively and fun evening.

Flight 1 - Champagne starter (1 Note)

When hosting we always plan on having a nonblind Champagne starter. This was quite tasty and a nice way to kick off the evening as we settled in and caught up.

Flight 2 - Warm ups (2 Notes)

Served double blind to the group.

Flight 3 - Reds (4 Notes)

  • 2016 Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon Le Pich

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Dark color with notes of blackberry, black cherry and perfume with a liqueur-like sweetness. Firm, youthful tannins. Flavors of blackberry liqueur, raspberry and chocolate. Drying, chalky tannins. The tannins and blackberry qualities had me thinking petite sirah here. Not off to a good start. (R&D)

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2011 Aston Pinot Noir Estate 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Double blind. Light ruby red color, shows perhaps a bit of age. Cherry and rhubarb dominate, with red plum and earthy undertones. Cherry and rhubarb fruit on the palate. Finishes with good length. Guessed Sonoma pinot. Drink now. 91-92 pts. (R&R)

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2015 Bodegas Hornillos Ballesteros Ribera del Duero Mibal Joven

    Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

    Double blind. Immediately appealing, this opens with a tar/asphalt note followed by black fruit and sandalwood. Abundant dark fruit on the palate supporting firm, chewy tannin. Excellent. (J&J)

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2018 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Deep, opaque color. Aromas of violet liqueur, blue fruit, black fruit, pepper and vanilla. In a word- big. Loads of ripe, but not overdone, black fruit on the palate. In some ways this reminds me of an SQN in that the fruit is big and nicely ripe yet feels nicely balanced. Long finish; dark fruit and wood spices. 92+ pts. (R&R)

    Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 4 - Reds (4 Notes)

  • 2010 Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Enea 93 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Blind, though I had a suspicion this was one of the Mugas. Opens with a perfumed flroal top note along with black fruit and spice. Full-bodied. Mixed red and black fruits on the palate. Very clean and pure, with really nice fruit. Excellent. 93+ pts.

    This had been decanted for 3.5 hrs then rebottled and poured 5+ hrs later.

    Post a Comment / 6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2011 Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Enea

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Blind. Dark color. Aromas of black fruit, perfume, earth and leather. On the full side of medium-bodied. Flavors of red fruit, iron and spice. Much more rustic than the 2010 that ended up preceding this.

    This had been decanted for 3.5 hrs then rebottled and poured 5+ hrs later.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2016 Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Opaque inky color. Notes of black currant, green tobacco, blue fruit, blackberry liqueur and perfume with just the slightest hint of alcoholic heat. Balanced. Firm, sweet tannins with black fruit liqueur, vanilla and chocolate tones. Guessed Napa cabernet. (R&D)

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2012 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Tobacco, black fruit and floral elements. The palate follows the bouquet. Nicely balanced. Excellent. (J&J)

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 5 - Bonus wine (1 Note)

A tradition in the Friday group, there's always one final bonus red to end the evening. I wanted to go in a different direction than I had for the main flights (the pair of Mugas), and this fit the bill nicely.

  • 1989 Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Sonoma Mountain 88 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain

    This had been gently double decanted off its sediment roughly 6 hours prior to being poured. A touch of vegetal/weedy brett with red fruit underneath. Hints of herb, tobacco and saddle leather. Nice, with some charm remaining, but clearly on the back end of peak as the fruit is fading. Drink 'em up.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 6 - Dessert wines (2 Notes)

Closing

See you in March!

×
×