4th Saturday Brown Bagger

J&L's
Tasted Saturday, January 22, 2022 by AllRed with 127 views

Introduction

Wines were tasted double blind in random flights. Each flight is tasted, discussed, and revealed prior to moving on to the next flight.

Flight 1 - Warm ups (4 Notes)

  • 2017 Bernau Estate Brut 91 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

    A nonblind starter courtesy of our hosts. The inaugural vintage for this wine, a blend of chardonnay and pinot noir aged on the lees for 23 months prior to disgorgement. Pale color with a short mousse and fine, persistent bead. Notes of apple, almond and dried honeycomb. Orchard fruit on the palate. Nice underlying acidity. Fresh and bright, this is very nice. 91-92 pts.

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  • 2017 Bernau Estate Brut Rosé

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

    Nonblind courtesy of our hosts. A blend of pinot and chardonnay showing a pale salmon color and opening with a bit of a funky aroma that I can’t quite place- perhaps hinting at cheese/dairy. Better on the palate however, with bright red berry fruit and strawberry. Fine bead. Rather nice, but almost all preferred the regular brut to this but perhaps this wasn’t a clean bottle.

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  • 2012 Elizabeth Spencer Chardonnay Rutherford 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

    Double blind. Pale straw color. Opens with a nice toasty quality with an abundance of orchard fruit underneath. Medium-bodied, with flavors of apple and lemon oil with balancing acidity. Finishes with good length and a touch of mineral. I may be underrating this a bit. Guessed Oregon chardonnay.

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  • 2020 de Lancellotti Pinot Nero Bianco 88 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains

    Double blind. A bit deeper/darker than the first wine. Aromas of unripe peach and florals. Medium-bodied, and somewhat flat/round compared to the first, but I don’t mean this in a negative way. Peach, subtly sweet/ripe, and something that I call “cotton” which leads me to guess chenin, and i went with Oregon again.

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Flight 2 - Reds (4 Notes)

  • 2012 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 88 Points

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

    Double blind. Opens with a stewy, ripe dark fruit quality that dominates. On the full side of medium-bodied, with flavors of raisin and plum. Subtle spice tones as well. (M&R)

    This was quite the surprise when it was unveiled- no one guessed CndP. Some said it was flawed, likely heat during transit, but this didn’t strike me as maderized. I think this is just “modern” Chateauneuf- overly ripe and raisiny- and is a perfect example of why I no longer buy CndP without trying it first.

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  • 2015 Grgich Hills Merlot 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Abundant cherry and raspberry fruit with an herbaceous undertone. Picks up a pine sap note with time in the glass. Flavors of black raspberry and red berry fruit. Lingering finish. Got better as it sat. (J&L)

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  • 2011 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 91 Points

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

    Double blind. Aromas of red berry fruit and spice with an herbal overtone, turning to dark fruit as it opens in the glass. Medium-bodied. Flavors of red fruit and spice on the palate. Very nice. (R&D)

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  • 2015 G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe 92 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Blind. Opens with notes of black fruit, cherry, spice and something herbal, rather sage-like. Abundant dark fruit on the palate, along with black cherry and spice, supporting fine tannin. Turns just a bit chewy through the finish. Excellent.

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Flight 3 - Reds (4 Notes)

  • 2011 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape 92 Points

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

    Double blind. Currant, kirsch and licorice notes. A bit tannic. Dark fruit with a hint of chocolate. Finishes with nice length. A very nice wine but a bit odd as nothing stands out and I’m left without a guess.

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  • 2016 G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe 92 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Blind. Lighter color. Some, a bit muted, cherry and dark fruit emerge with a bit of swirling. Cherry and raspberry on the palate with a hint of spice. Easy to pick out as the Barolo in this flight. 92+ pts.

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  • 2017 Robert Foley The Griffin 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Aromas of plum, black fruit and soy. Full-bodied. Abundant dark fruit on the palate with a long finish. The soy note is just a little distracting, but otherwise very enjoyable. (M&R)

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  • 2014 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Aromas of black fruit, tobacco and green bell pepper. Black fruit dominates the palate. Softened tannins. Reminds me of an old school Napa cab sauv, something along the lines of a Togni. (J&L)

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Flight 4 - Dinner/dessert (3 Notes)

With lasagna, sausages, meatballs and a vegetable medley.

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