Friday Night Brown Bagger

Our small group of eight gathered for our regular third Friday brown bag tasting. Wines are brought in paper bags and arranged randomly but we attempt to go somewhat light to heavy by placing wines towards one end of the table or the other, and then we mix them a bit from there. Each flight is tasted and unveiled prior to moving on to the next flight.

• 2022 Clos Solène La Rose 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Double blind. So pale as to be nearly colorless, with notes of citrus, florals and mineral. A bit lean, though not to the point of being austere, with racy acidity and flavors of green apple, citrus and hints of lemongrass. Seemed very much like an old world sauv blanc.

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• 2022 Domaine Sainte-Marie Côtes de Provence Rosé Vie Vité 87 Points

  France, Provence, Côtes de Provence

  Double blind. Light, pale color. Reticent. Aromas of melon and apple with tropical overtones. Abundant fruit on the palate, somewhat round but not flabby, with flavors of melon and tropical fruit.

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• 2010 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon Tanbark Hill 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  Blind. Garnet color. Through the first pass this shows raspberry and somewhat brambly ripe fruit. With air it becomes much more Bordeaux-like, showing black currants, herb/green notes, rhubarb and something a touch vegetal/funky/earthy. Plum and dark fruit dominates the palate. Finishes with good length. Consensus around the table was that this was Bordeaux.
  
  This had been double decanted off its sediment three hours before the flight was poured. A couple of ounces kept off to the side and followed over a couple of hours continued to drink nicely. I would suggest a two hour decant if consuming now, though a couple of years in the cellar won’t hurt either.

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• 2016 Château Malartic-Lagravière 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  Double blind. Deep crimson/garnet color with notes of dark berry fruit, black cherry, raspberry and dried herbs. Develops a nice plummy forward quality, along with spice and the aforementioned herbal elements. The palate is predominantly red-fruited, with abundant barrel spice as well. Fine tannins. The herbal qualities had me thinking cab franc. This bottle had been opened nine hours earlier and still didn’t show its true character- needs a few years in the cellar, maybe check back in around 2028. (J&J)

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• 2020 Clos Solène Fleur de Solène 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Double blind. Notes of vanilla, black fruit, brown sugar and blueberry. Full-bodied with firm tannins and flavors of black fruit and toasty barrel spices. Very cab-like to my palate. (R&R)

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• 2018 Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Double blind. Deep crimson/garnet color. Notes of plum, violet and black fruit. Full-bodied and ripe- in a good way- with cassis, blueberry, mocha and chocolate flavors with a lingering finish. Easy to pick out as a young Napa cab sauv; tasty. 90+ pts. (R&D)

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• 2017 Lewis Cellars Racecar Red Flawed

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Double blind. Inky color with some secondary fermentation as this was a bit frizzante. A good bit of VA as well. Kirsch and cherry cordial qualities showing a good bit of alcoholic heat and VA to go along with the bubbles. Big, inky and hot. (R&D)
  
  Judging by the community notes, there is something clearly wrong here. Perhaps the winery would be willing to refund or exchange these bottles to make their customers whole…

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• 2010 La Dame de Montrose 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

  Blind. Dark color. Herbal, with black fruit, earth, mineral and graphite as well. Full-bodied with medium tannins and flavors of red fruit, graphite and mineral.
  
  Showing well in its youth, this had been decanted for three hours.

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• 2010 Prieuré des Couleys de Meyney

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

  Double blind. Some bricking, appears a touch older. Red fruit and herb elements with a touch of bouillon as well. Red fruit and spice with a sour element that I find distracting. I am not certain that this was a representative bottle and would love another crack at this one down the road. (J&J)

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• 2020 Linne Calodo Sticks and Stones 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Double blind. Bright ruby color. Cherry, sweet candied red fruit and floral aromas. Develops cinnamon notes as well. Flavors of white currant, cherry and more candied fruit along with nutmeg and warm spices. Finishes with good length. This seemed more like a pinot than a grenache. (R&R)

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• 2012 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Tradition 83 Points

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

  Double blind. Bricking with some sediment as well. Red fruit, subtle herb notes and raisin. Raisin and spice with a slight hint of something towards varnish. Guessed CndP. (R&D)

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• 2020 Clos Solène Hommage À Nos Pairs Reserve

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Double blind. High toned, along with black fruit and grapefruit notes. Sour dark fruit on the palate. No guess, but definitely not my cup of tea. (R&R)

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