Memorial Day Weekend, Day 2: The Great Gatsby
Tasted Sunday, May 28, 2023 by WineBurrowingWombat with 287 views
Introduction
Wines were tasted in this order.. my eyes and thumbs are still sore.
Flight 1 (30 Notes)
Closing
Huge shout out to csimm for being the kind and generous host that he is, and another shout out to everyone that participated and contributed to the tasting. I'm surprised everyone walked outta there ok..
2018 Château Lafleur 98 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Initially somewhat closed on the nose but with time, intense yet elegant dark floral notes with black and dark red fruits.
Flavors of dark and intense black fruits with a shade of blue, black graphite and pristine earth.
I know I didn't say much but I don't think it's needed. If intensely dark, pure fruits took form of a haunting apparition with a pure soul, it's this. I'm in awe of how intense and pure everything is while maintaining such elegance with clean precision. This required some time to open up for me and I should've given it even more time and air to see how it develops, but what it showed me for now is that this thing can be so good. Wanted to go back for seconds but couldn't even find the bottle. 98+
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2012 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 98 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
Aromas of really dark and ripe, almost black, strawberries with lush earth, and red floral notes that eventually open up even more with time. The fruits and earth here stand out beautifully.
The red fruits were slightly lighter on the palate with soft florals and earth, gentle bitterness from minerals. However the fruits darken and left a much stronger impression on the palate with time.
This might be starting to hit that nice drinking window and definitely has room to grow. If you still enjoy some youthful energy and freshness, I wouldn't wait too long to try. Try now or within a few years to see where it's at. 98+
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2001 Harlan Estate 97 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Aromas of black plums with good freshness still, dark and damp earth with tree bark, gentle underbrush and subtle mulch.
Flavors of really dark reds fruits with a deep pitch of brooding black fruits, similar dark and wet earth from the nose but somehow also dry too, and a nice note of slick, wet black stones.
Awesome integration on the palate with the nose starting to give away hints of age. Nothing tertiary yet but the plum notes seem to indicate that could be coming sometime soon. Don't feel bad opening these now and start enjoying!
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2005 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 96 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Dark and perfumed roses on the nose, a gentle incense note and dark red fruits.
Flavors of spiced, soft red fruits with a prickly and almost dry earth that runs across the palate. Seems to give an impression of dried oak as well.
This was good but compared to the '17 I've had some time ago, this was a let down. *whispers* Drink them young, it'll be ok! I'll protect you from the naysayers the best I can ;) If you don't drink em young, maybe try giving them 20-30 years but I have a strong feeling you'll be walking in the tertiary realm.. with rivers of acidity and cranberry vines.
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2004 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Único 96 Points
Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
On the nose was a pleasant aroma of gentle cigar wrappings (or dried tobacco leaves) with gentle red fruits, and a dry dusty earth note.
On the palate was an interesting and surprisingly clean, dry red earth as if the ground was made up mostly of clay, accompanied by lighter, swift red fruits that run across the palate.
This was good and I hate to keep thinking how I would've loved to enjoy this much younger. Would've loved to taste straight from the pour, allowing it air time and following along. But I wouldn't know, this could also gain more pizazz with some more time.
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2019 Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon The Magnificent Seven 98 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Nose of rich, dark earth with brooding fruits and shiny specks of crushed minerals.
On the palate was tons of ripe and dark fruits. There is a deep earthiness and a giving minerality. The fruit here is so well polished that it seems to give an impression that the fruit actually glows.
This is like having that feeling and sense of comfort when seeing a good friend of yours that you don't get to see more often but know that every time you do, it's going to be an amazing time. Corny, I know.
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2004 Penfolds Grange 97 Points
Australia, South Australia
Aromas of fresh red cherries, dusty earth and a subtle spice.
Flavors of rich dark red fruit with a sexy and pleasurable bite, with an awesome clean finish. There's also a hint of salinity here on the palate. The darkness of the fruits lighten up a bit with a little bit of air time but maintains swiftness on the palate.
Wines that can age like this are the kind I like. The kind that is like the person who says they are older but still has the energy, charm and stamina of someone who is younger. I'm sure this can still go for a good number of years but is quite exciting to drink now. 97+
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2018 Ultramarine Sparkling Rosé Heintz Vineyard 96 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
On the nose was fresh crispness and soft but fresh raspberries, and a dusting of clean crushed minerals.
Flavors of gentle fresh and pink fruits with match white and pink flowers, very floral on the palate with a gentle ripeness and freshness. Minerals are also sitting in the freshness of the fruits, like a running river.
So crisp, fresh and revitalizing. Pleasant to the senses while maintaining a purity of fresh and clean fruits. Awesome.
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2018 Ultramarine Blanc de Blancs Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast 95 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Impressions of clean dry stone and white fruits with a a nice freshness on the nose.
Flavors of fresh yellow fruits with a fresh yeastiness, gentle toast, and subtle clean minerals.
I am enjoying the character of this sparkling wine. The notes are there but they are gentle but firm, they come off more like impressions than actual notes. 95+
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2016 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 96 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
Aromas of rich red fruits and rich earth in a dark, brooding sense.
Palate seems to match the nose completely but with black fruits instead.
The only thing that threw this off track a little was this punch of heat on the finish. I tried my best to give this some time but it could not just shake off the heat. Still very tasty though.
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2019 Sine Qua Non Syrah Distenta I 96 Points
USA, California, Central Coast
On the nose was neon berries, fruited earth and punchy but fun energy.
Flavors of ripe, dark and very brooding blue fruits, deep earth and a subtle spice which was almost a little too difficult to detect from all the big fruits.
Try holding for 4-6 years to see if its bombastic fruit will mellow a bit. If you like the punchiness of fruit, pop one open.
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2008 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 95 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
d-.-b <BLIND BOTTLE PULL> d-.-b
Aromas of rich blueberries, cassis and black roses.
Flavors of dark fruits and rich earth, decent integration already.
I had no idea what to guess here and with my limited rolodex of producers. I threw out a random Paul Hobbs without ever even tasting them before. This was a very pleasant surprise. Very approachable and tasty. Blinds are always fun!
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2004 Colgin Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb 95 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Nose of intense but nicely integrated dark red fruits, deep earth and gentle note of spiced used for cooking (I couldn't tell you what for the life of me).
Flavors dark powdered graphite, similarly intense fruits from the nose with a brooding aspect.
I'm happy to see this is holding up well.. hoping that it is demonstrating quality and life of their wines. I do get a sense of wavering on the body and mouthfeel though but hard to say since that should be expected with a wine with age.
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2005 Colgin IX Estate 95 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Dark red intense fruits, deep earth and a little too much heat (possibly really sharp oak).
Flavors matches the nose completely, including the heat unfortunately. Still tasty nonetheless!
I wanted to see if the heat would blow off but this was one of those bottles that I couldn't get a chance to go back to. Maybe it was just me that kept finding this heat wave in this.
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2014 Colgin Cariad 97 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
A gentle vanilla with dark creamy red fruits on the nose. A subtle note of dried earth.
Flavors again matches the nose completely. A blend of macerated dark fruits, earth and this creamy youthfulness.
Damn, this was like a trip down memory lane when I first had it. Loved the macerated, crushed dark fruits this oozes out but with nice sophistication. Can still go some distance and might want to take the chance with that.
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2018 Colgin Jubilation 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Aromas of lighter red flowers, somewhat bright cranberries and a high note of dried oak.
On the palate was similar bright fruits and notable heat.
Not sure what is happening with these. The first time I had it, thought it was showing so well. Lately these have been a huge let down. Starting to wonder if the first time having this was a fluke of an experience.
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2013 Vérité La Joie
USA, California, Sonoma County
I thought this was possibly corked, with a bit of sour cork/tree bark and sour red notes. Turns out it was bret.
Red fruits with wet earth and a bit of mushrooms. A bit of sour cork note peeks out on the tail end.
I was told this was bret and I will believe it. Must be the style of the wine.
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2015 Vérité La Joie 96 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County
Aromas of dark black fruits with emphasis of small and abundant berries. Nice concentration here.
Palate matches the nose here with the addition of some floral notes.
This showed wayyy better than the '13. I hope they stopped allowing bret after the '13 cause this thing was tasty. Completely bodied the '13.
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2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia 95 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Very pretty and light flowers on the nose that covers dark red fruits, like giant overgrown flowers acting as a canopy for the fruits underneath.
Dark rich fruits and matching dark earth on the palate.
Integration is strong in this one but seems to be missing some character. Would've liked a little bit of extra something to make this just a notch more exciting.
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2017 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard 98 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Aromas of honeyed cantaloupe with its gently bitter skins, honeycomb wax and the scent of a field wheat.
Awesome flavors of darker yellow fruits with a ripe and and deep delivery on the palate. Similar honeyed melons and bitter skins from the nose can be found here as well.
This was amazing. This was a very new style of giving for me. It was generous in fruit but was never big, intense with the flavors but never rich, had good weight but never heavy. Awesome treat, I see why this bottling is popular.
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2019 Aubert Chardonnay CIX Estate Vineyard 95 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Nose of dark yellow fruits with a bit of charred oak, in a good way.
Flavors matches nose completely. Nice bitterness that works as an underlying support of the fruits.
This was also good but kinda had me wanting a bit more depth and complexity. Or maybe it just wasn't fair having this next to the Lauren bottling. Still showed well though.
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2020 Three Sticks Chardonnay Alana 94 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Aromas of pineapple flesh with its rough skin, and more subtle yellow fruits. A dulled out minerality here on the nose, and not in a bad way.
Flavors of dark yellow fruits like prickly, deeper pineapple flesh with the greenness and bitterness from a pineapple crown. Bitter minerals with a soft clean fruit coating. Bitterness a little bit dominating though.
First time with the producer and would not mind having it again.
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2020 Hyde De Villaine Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard 92 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Nose of ripe yellow and white fruits, fruited honey with no bitterness (surprisingly). The aromas here came off very clean.
On the palate was deep ripe yellow fruits, a gentle bitterness and fresh cut grass.
Another first time with this producer. Wished there was something extra here to capture my excitement. Still good though.
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2016 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Lore Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Nose of soft red flowers and deep earth, and red fruits that are buried into the earth.
On the palate was rich red fruits but very rough and almost hot, with a dark powdered graphite that unfortunately worked against the rough red fruits.
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2012 Larkmead Vineyards The Lark 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
On the nose was a strong heat with dark red fruits with heavy, dark earth. I liked the earth scents here.
Flavors of intense black and red fruits, similar dark earth from the nose, still some heat though and black graphite.
Very rough but somewhat pleasurable. I might have problems..
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2013 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut 97 Points
France, Champagne
Aromas of crisp, yeasty freshness with a zingy minerality, light honey, stones, crisp green apples.
Clean and taught white and yellow fruits on the palate (seems to be more white than yellow). Minerals, honey and crisp apples echo from the nose.
This was so clean and damn refreshing. Completely washes the palate clean, especially after all the reds.
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1994 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
A funky green forest floor nose, earth and dark red fruits but on the fading side.
Flavors of stewed plums, damp earth and decaying twigs.
Very soft and almost ethereal, but the flavor profile this time around obviously showed their age and not too well this time around unfortunately.
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2017 Vice Versa Chardonnay Platt Vineyard 97 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Aromas of dark and deep yellow fruits, with a gentle prickliness.
Deep and intense fruits on the palate. Fruit coated minerals with bitter honey, and a gentle prickliness.
Good as usual but was beat out by a notch with the Aubert Lauren.
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2018 Lail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon J. Daniel Cuvée 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Nose of rich red fruits and dark, dirty earth with tons of heat.
Flavors match the nose with tons of dark almost black fruits, a coating of powdered graphite, and similar earth from the nose. But unfortunately the palate seems to also match the nose with the same amount of heat.
Maybe it's the slightly higher temperatures that the wine might have been exposed to. That heat was pretty stubborn.
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2019 Cheval des Andes 92 Points
Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Vistalba
Nose of funky earth with red fruits, and damp oak.
On the palate was gentle red fruits with soft earth, and a dark but somewhat gentle/faded graphite. The funk is not on the palate.
Very similar to what I had last time but when having this next to the kind of bottles pulled today makes it fall short. Trying my best to not be biased here and I think I am doing ok. Taking bsumoba's example here: this was like unexpectedly seeing the person you friend-zoned at a party you're attending and have to awkwardly still say hi and make small conversation.
bsumoba can be so harsh ;)
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