California Wine Tour

Sonoma/Spring Mtn/Napa/Santa Cruz
Tasted Thursday, August 27, 2009 - Sunday, August 30, 2009 by LelouchViBritannia with 1,484 views

Introduction

Castle Rock, Sojourn, Siduri, Russian River Brewery, Paloma, ACME, Anderson's Conn Valley, Joseph Phelps, Napa Wine Co. , Ridge Monte Bello

Flight 1 - Dinner in Seattle - A Pinot for warming up (1 Note)

  • 2007 Castle Rock Pinot Noir Monterey County 85 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey County

    (8/27/2009)

    A dinner drink to prep us for Pinot-Mode at Sojourn tomorrow. Subdued nose, but does have cherry cola flavors, anise, clean, feels like from a warmer area. But I sense a FAKE CARAMEL smoothness, and fading finish. Good everyday pinot.

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Flight 2 - Sojourn Tasting Room (8 Notes)

Lost Notes, scores accurate, but review from memory. Every wine was so good and distinctly different.

Flight 3 - Siduri Warehouse Tasting & Tour (8 Notes)

Flight 4 - Paloma Vineyards - Spring Mountain (1 Note)

Spectacular View

  • 2006 Paloma Merlot 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

    (8/29/2009)

    Plum Plum Plum, the creamy flavors does show up later, a mid/heavy weight for merlot, but lacks the punch. 15% Cabernet in the blend but felt negligible. It should easily live on the balance for 5-8 years. For the Merlot Enthusiast.

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Flight 5 - ACME Fine Wines (1 Note)

Our host, Scott, had an incredible memory. He is a living wine dictionary.

  • 2006 Stanton Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    (8/29/2009)

    Tasted at ACME fine wines in St Helena. Winemaker: Dave Finny. Alcohol 14.8%
    This feels like a 13.5% cab, cassis, currant, creamy french oak, good mid palate weight, long, good finesse. Only down side is HOT on the finish. 93, almost 94 pts. The unique mid palate tastes, tells me it will Match perfectly with strong cheese. Drink 2010 to 2020.
    Highly Recommended for cheese lovers.

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Flight 6 - ACV Tour and Tasting (7 Notes)

There was a chardonnay too, but didn't take notes.

  • 2005 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Lake County 90 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Lake County

    (8/29/2009)

    First of flight. I wrote 89 but it was clearly 90+, hesitant to give it too high to begin with.
    Light golden color, Smokey, oak and fruit had perfect balance. FINALLY a sauvignon blanc I didn't hate.

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  • 2006 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/29/2009)

    From rocky clay soil. Ripe, bitter cherry, see thru color. light to no color rim. some anise and mineral but still pretty new world. Drink soon

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  • 2006 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/29/2009)

    70% Merlot 30% Cab Franc.
    Coffee, chocolate, deep. Stronger punch than Paloma merlot but lacks the finesse. Still Excellent. 92-93

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  • 2006 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/29/2009)

    Crimson, purple rim. Creme de Cassis, black fruits, spicy red, rich. I wanted to say fruit bomb but no, it is just concentrated in a different way.

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  • 1999 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/29/2009)

    65% Cab S, 25% Cab F, 10% Merlot
    Toffee Aroma, [ Can't read my own writing -> Best of flight, so far ? ]
    Earthiness, soft tannin, long finish. Slightly acidic but complex, slightly herbal from the cab franc, but not in a bad way.
    Near Peak, drink over the next 5 years for best results.

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  • 2007 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge 96 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/29/2009)

    Taken from the barrel for 18 months, I have little experience with barrel tasting but this is damn good.
    A nose of Cassis, oaky at this stage, hopefully will subdue overtime. VERY LONG FINISH, but well hidden tannins. Reminds me very much of the Nicolas Catena Zapata 2004. Very Raspberry like, but not over extracted. Getting Creamier with exposure to air.

    I am looking forward to its release. 96++

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  • 2002 Ghost Horse Cabernet Sauvignon 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/29/2009)

    Last of flight. Although very prestigious, the Eloge before it just sets the bar sky high.
    Black currant, big napa fruits, more Napa than Napa. Fruitiness and toastiness are both mighty high, but not out of whack like the Mollydooker stuff.
    Still young, developing, soft tannins. Interesting Cult wine experience. 95+

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Flight 7 - Joseph Phelps (3 Notes)

The Freestone sauv blanc, chardonnay and pinot were tasted, 85-87 pts range, spit bucket it goes, didn't bother with a full review.

Flight 8 - Napa Wine Company (6 Notes)

Thanks to our friend Ralph being a member, we were able to taste more than we bargained for. Ghost Block was the best of flight.
We also tasted the 06 Marjana Red, no character, not found on CT, not worth a full review. < 87 pt.

Flight 9 - Ridge Winery (4 Notes)

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