OC Wine Dinner

• 1995 Drappier Champagne Cuvée de Millenaire 85 Points

  France, Champagne

  I love almost any kind of Champagne, but there wasn't much to get excited about here and a real disappointment from a vintage perspective. There was a very distinct sparkling cider note to the wine, which fortunately dissipated and evolved into green apples. Very low acidity heightens the perception of red apple sweetness and a slight oxidative note persists through the finish. Decent as a starter wine, but in general lacks depth and interest. 85-86 points.

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Seared Diver Scallops and Sweet Potato Raviolis

• 2005 Shafer Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  This is probably one of my favorite non-ML Chardonnays. Aromas of orange blossom and sea spray followed by lemon pulp, unripe nectarines, crushed minerals, and oyster shells. A nicely detailed wine that reminds me a little of the high-end Chards coming out the area but without the oak-infused richness. Give it a few more years and it will serve as a poor man's Aubert. My WOTF. 91-92 points.

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• 2004 Kistler Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  In comparison to the Shafer that immediately preceded it, the riper vintage characteristics are apparent. Instead of orange blossoms, I get orange marmalade. Instead of lemon pulp, I get lemon drops. A good deal of toast and nuttiness from the oak and a richer mouthfeel overall. Very compelling on the nose, but perhaps a little less so on the palate. 89-90 points.

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• 2005 Hudson Vineyards Chardonnay 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  An interesting contrast to the Kistler in terms of style and vintage. Notes of lemon-lime, green mangos, and flint. The mineral-laced acidity really makes this wine stand out from the group. A very nice wine worth seeking out.

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• 2004 Kistler Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard 84 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  This tasted like almost nothing to me. One can pay less money for something that tastes like that. A chalky minerality on the palate with a surprising lack of fruit detail. A touch of heat and absolutely no finish whatsoever. Disappointing considering the producer. 84-85 points.

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Braised Pork Belly with cilantro, green onion and cucumber salad in a citrus carmel sauce
Fresh Salmon with Talley Sauce (white wine, pineapple juice, ginger, scallion, soy and a touch of garlic)

• 2005 Joseph Swan Vineyards Pinot Noir Trenton Estate 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  A very well-crafted Pinot that, on this night, looked like a 95-pound weakling on Muscle Beach. Always a champion for the downtrodden, however, I think this wine would appeal to those who prefer brains to brawn. Or if I was to describe this wine to a single friend of mine, I might say, "She has a good personality." Notes of fresh strawberries, red cherries, clay earth, crushed rocks, and sarsaparilla root. Lively acidity completes the finish.

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• 2005 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Klopp Ranch 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  This wine came across as a bit tight to me and probably could have benefitted from further decanting. I brought it so I only have myself to blame for this wine gaffe. Exotic notes of ripe plum, wild strawberries, and clove lead to a spiced palate rich in texture but halted a bit by the structure. The finish seemed a little insipid and flat to me, but that could have been because of the sweetness of our food.

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• 2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  A bigger wine in terms of ripeness but one that seemed to stand up better to the sweet teriyaki-like glaze on the salmon. Sweet notes of dark cherry, hard spices, and baked bread. An interesting contrast to the other RRV Pinots in this flight.

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• 2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Miron 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Given the relative rarity of this bottling, I feel fortunately to have tasted it twice (thanks FMIII!). Rich and dense, but with lots of personality, this Pinot was my WOTF. Notes of dark chocolate, dark cherries, black raspberries, and Asian spices. The only Pinot that could actually stand up to our food, but even if there was no food present, we would all be bowing down to this goddess of a wine. This wine makes me go Schwing! 92-93 points.

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Slow-braised Boneless Short Ribs with skewered Prawns, mashed red potatoes in a chipotle cumin BBQ sauce

• 2005 Novy Family Wines Syrah Rosella's Vineyard 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  I kept joking throughout the evening that this smelled like Rosella's buttcrack, but with apologies and deference to Gary Franscioni, I should make it clear that I have NEVER EVER smelled Rosella's buttcrack before. Once the musky fecundity subsided I was able to pick up notes of Asian pickled plums, mixed peppercorns, and loamy earth. Smooth and polished on the palate with an aftertaste that slightly resembles oyster shells. 87-88 points.

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• 2005 Lucia Syrah Susan's Hill 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Exotic and lush with notes of blackberries, plums, dark chocolate, and espresso. After a few minutes in the glass, however, the wine started to become very angular in texture and expression, but with more vigorous swirling, it did start to soften up a little. Unsure as to why the wine showed the way it did, and taking my previous experience with it into consideration, I am going to score it according to my first impressions, which according to my notes, say "Sexy beast!" My WOTF. 90-91 points.

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• 2005 Lucia Syrah Garys' Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  This wine is, shall we say, more masculine than the Susan's Hill. Notes of white pepper, loamy soil, graphite, and a touch of ash. The palate is smooth and polished and quite distinguished. Really needs salty food to bring out the fruit. 89-90 points.

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• 2005 Copain Syrah Garys' Vineyard 83 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  I heard a rumor that Leslie decanted this wine while naked, but she must have done it post-coitus because all I got was cigarette ash. That and some raw jalapeno. So what were you doing, Leslie, or is that too much to ask?

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Glazed BBQ Burger Slider
Beef Tenderloin with demi glaze

• 2002 Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I think this wine is drinking at peak right now and for the next 2-3 years. Delicate and restrained notes of cassis, cedar, dark chocolate, and sage. A touch of green bell pepper does hover in the nose, but the palate doesn't reflect it. A very enjoyable, if traditional-styled, Cabernet.

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• 2002 Von Strasser Cabernet Sauvignon Post Vineyard Diamond Mountain 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

  This wine came across as the most unique of all the Cabs in the flight. Had I tasted it blind, I might not have guessed it was a Cab at all. Notes of blueberries, plum skin, black cherries, and a touch of brown sugar. I don't have a lot of experience with Von Strasser or Diamond Mountain, so I cannot say whether this is typical of the producer or the region. 88-89 points.

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• 2002 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Now we get to the big guns. This wine is a rock star -- flamboyant, rich, and oozing with sex appeal. Opulent notes of cassis, brown sugar, and bittersweet chocolate. Creamy and decadent of the palate but amazingly balanced and complex. Has years of life ahead of it, but an absolute joy to drink now! 93-94 points.

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• 2002 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Herb Lamb 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  It was hard to decide which Cabernet I liked better, as they were both very close in terms of quality, but I think I'm going to give the nod to the KL, as I think it displays more complexity and gravitas than the Schrader. Whereas the Schrader is a rock star, the KL is a rock star with soul -- maybe the wine equivalent of Bono. Notes of cassis, brown sugar, dark chocolate, graphite, and wet soil. Dense and concentrated on the palate, this wine needs years before it starts to show its softer more feminine side. My WOTF and WOTN. 94+ points.

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