Weekend Tasting Notes - Mostly Cabs and Rieslings

An assorted array of tasting notes from the weekend.

Not this weekend, but forgot to post, so included. Brought to dinner at Academia di Vino last weekend. Food was excellent.

• 2003 Harlan Estate The Maiden 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I expected more from this, for over $100 this wine delivered nothing more than what I would expect from a $40 Napa Cab. I enjoy the Harlan and Bond style as well, but this was very plain. Nothing apparently off with the wine, but the failure to me was on the palate, where it just fell short, lacking much of a finish. The nose showed blackberry and currant, alongside some vanilla notes.

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Friday night at home with a delicious Flannery Steak.

• 2001 Revana Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  Outstanding wine, and another great example of 2001 Napa Cab. Popped and poured. Gorgeous nose of dark fruits and french vanilla mocha. So silky on the palate. The tannins have totally smoothed out and the finish was long and enjoyable. Would be happy drinking more of these today.

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Saturday night, ordered off the list at Hearth, where we had a fantastic meal at the "Chef's Table".

• 2004 Qupé Syrah Bien Nacido Hillside Estate 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

  This was my first bottle from this producer, but having tried and enjoyed other wines from Bien Nacido, I thought it was worth a shot. Nice nose, similar to a nice Northern Rhone, with gamey meaty notes and dark fruits. Big and full bodied, and a fabulous pairing for the duck and pork entrees that it accompanied.

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After dinner, we walked next door to Hearth's wine bar, called Terroir, who is having a "summer of Riesling".

• 1996 Hans Lang Hattenheimer Schützenhaus Riesling Spätlese 94 Points

  Germany, Rheingau

  This was a wonderful example of how easily Riesling ages. 12 years old and tasting as fresh as a young wine. Nose showed granny smith apple, floral aromas and petrol. Vibrant acidity and a bit of residual sugar made this a beautiful wine to drink. Lovely.

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• 1977 Darting Dürkheimer Spielberg Riesling Spätlese Flawed

  Germany, Pfalz

  The server was kind enough to pour a glass of this to taste side by side with the 1996 Spatlese. Unfortunately it was terribly corked. She was kind enough to open another bottle to give us a taste. Though definitely not corked, I still thought the wine was off, so I reserve judgement. I read some good tasting notes on this wine, so perhaps just 2 bad bottles.

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• 2004 Eugen Müller Forster Stift Riesling Eiswein 93 Points

  Germany, Pfalz

  Very nice dessert wine. Honey and orange marmalade on the nose. Thick and viscous on the palate, showing enough balance to make me continue reaching for the glass. A treat.

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Sunday night with delivery.

• 2007 Domaine des Caves du Prieuré Sancerre 84 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

  The nose showed a bit of promise, displaying some pleasant floral aromas, as well as citrus and tropical fruit. However, the wine fell pretty flat on the palate. Tasted like a typical restaurant "by the glass" sauvignon blanc.

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