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Californication - 11/17/2008 10:09:13 PM

Serge Birbrair

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From: Boca Raton, Florida
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The last vintage I thought was great in Napa Cabs land was 2001, the last vintage I bought was 2002.
Did I miss anything since?

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Post #: 1

RE: Californication - 11/17/2008 10:10:58 PM

RoundersRob

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From: Santa Cruz, CA
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04 supposed to be quite nice and I've enjoyed some of what I have had from there.

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)

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RE: Californication - 11/18/2008 5:01:14 AM

annerk

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From: Central Florida
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Agreed that 2004 was a good year, and 2005 has proven so far to be a very respectable vintage as well.

(in reply to RoundersRob)

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RE: Californication - 11/18/2008 5:29:26 AM

tacman

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From: Austin, TX
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The "critics" certainly liked 2004.
While still too young, I have tried Foley, Pride, and Peter Michael Les Pavots and all are tasting great in their youth. MonteBello is just too tight at this point.

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"I'm drinking some wine, eating some cheese, and catching some rays, you know..." - Oddball (Kelly's Heroes)

(in reply to annerk)

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RE: Californication - 11/18/2008 7:31:57 AM

Wrighty

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From: Hong Kong
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Oh good! Have the Foley as it's highly rated on CT and also the Montebello - not bad for choice for an old worlder!

(in reply to tacman)

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RE: Californication - 11/18/2008 9:08:32 AM

jhannah27

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From: Anaheim, CA
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Just had the 04 Beringer Private Reserve on Saturday and it was a really beautiful wine. This was also too young to open now, but it has crazy potential.

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"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to Wrighty)

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RE: Californication - 11/18/2008 10:12:33 AM

GalvezGuy

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From: Galveston, TX
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I had tried some of the 2004's and they seem open for business already. The 2005's I have tried have been consistently decent and will probably be better than 2004 in the long term.

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RE: Californication - 11/18/2008 12:14:41 PM

Blue Shorts

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From: Santa Cruz, California
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Serge Birbrair

The last vintage I thought was great in Napa Cabs land was 2001, the last vintage I bought was 2002.
Did I miss anything since?

2004 was good. 2005 is turning out to be even better than 04, or even 01. Grab a bottle of Cliff Lede Stags Leap 2005 and be impressed.

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The best wine is the one that you haven't yet tried.

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Post #: 8

RE: Californication - 11/18/2008 12:54:57 PM

Serge Birbrair

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From: Boca Raton, Florida
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Thank you, guys, I now know what to look for. Much obliged.

_____________________________

Do you really think you understand terroir!? -

(in reply to Blue Shorts)

Post #: 9

RE: Californication - 11/18/2008 1:43:16 PM

annerk

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From: Central Florida
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Serge,

Are you looking for a Cab or a Meritage?

The 2005 Quintessa is very good, of all of the bottles I've got laying down right now, those are the ones that keep calling my name. I honestly can't recall ever being as drawn to a wine as I am to that one. As a bonus, I know you don't like to decant, and the Quintessa drinks beautifully as a pop and pour. It's still young and is only going to improve as it ages over the next 3-5 or more years.

The 2005 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled was another that I've tried and thought was fabulous. I'm definitely going to buy some more of this one and let it lay down for a few years, although it's drinkable now. If you don't decant it, just let it sit in the glass for 15-20 minutes before you drink it and it develops beautifully even in that short time.

< Message edited by annerk -- 11/18/2008 1:44:04 PM >

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)

Post #: 10

RE: Californication - 11/18/2008 2:31:13 PM

Serge Birbrair

Posts: 1531
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: online

Anne, preferrably Cabs, but Meritage is ok too, I am not very picky as long as it tastes good.

I don't think I'll find your suggestions at reasonable prices around South Florida, but I'll look.

_____________________________

Do you really think you understand terroir!? -

(in reply to annerk)

Post #: 11

RE: Californication - 11/18/2008 3:17:11 PM

Pavie Princess

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From: The Big Easy, New Orleans
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05 Insignia Bacchus and Dominus should not be missed............I think the 05 Insignia bests the 02 and this 05 Dominus is the best Dominus since 1997.

I am a bit surprised you drink any Cali cabs considering your stance on Pavie.

< Message edited by Pavie Princess -- 11/18/2008 3:18:14 PM >

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)

Post #: 12

RE: Californication - 11/18/2008 3:43:18 PM

jhannah27

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From: Anaheim, CA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: annerk
The 2005 Quintessa is very good, of all of the bottles I've got laying down right now, those are the ones that keep calling my name. I honestly can't recall ever being as drawn to a wine as I am to that one. As a bonus, I know you don't like to decant, and the Quintessa drinks beautifully as a pop and pour. It's still young and is only going to improve as it ages over the next 3-5 or more years.

The 2005 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled was another that I've tried and thought was fabulous. I'm definitely going to buy some more of this one and let it lay down for a few years, although it's drinkable now. If you don't decant it, just let it sit in the glass for 15-20 minutes before you drink it and it develops beautifully even in that short time.

I agree with you 100% on the Quintessa.

Speaking of Far Niente, I recently had the 2005 Nickel & Nickel Branding Iron Cab Sauv and found it almost unbearably green and vegetal. We had it at a wine bar and passed it around the room (friends, strangers, and employees), and all of us agreed that it wasn't flawed, but just horribly green. Does anyone know if they do whole cluster fermentation? We all just figured it needed some time to open up, but even with some air we only saw marginal improvement.

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to annerk)

Post #: 13

RE: Californication - 11/18/2008 10:31:59 PM

Serge Birbrair

Posts: 1531
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Pavie Princess

05 Insignia Bacchus and Dominus should not be missed............I think the 05 Insignia bests the 02 and this 05 Dominus is the best Dominus since 1997.

I am a bit surprised you drink any Cali cabs considering your stance on Pavie.

Considering the last vintage I drank was 2002, I am not your typical Cali Cab drinker. From time to time I get an urge and I do enjoy Cali Cabs. Insignia 2002 was undrinkable, I took 2 bottles back to the store. 1995, 1997 Insignia on the other hand were beauties. I'll check 2005 Dominus, I like the producer.

_____________________________

Do you really think you understand terroir!? -

(in reply to Pavie Princess)

Post #: 14

RE: Californication - 11/19/2008 4:38:40 AM

tacman

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My friends did an '05 Cali cab tasting last night (I was still working), featuring Dominus v. Opus and then rolling over into several others (Caymus, Pahlmeyer and ?). They said the Opus is improving, but still not up to par with the early years; the Dominus is way toooo young, and that the Pahlmeyer was unanimously the WOTN.

TC

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"I'm drinking some wine, eating some cheese, and catching some rays, you know..." - Oddball (Kelly's Heroes)

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)

Post #: 15

RE: Californication - 11/19/2008 4:53:45 AM

annerk

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From: Central Florida
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quote:

ORIGINAL: tacman

My friends did an '05 Cali cab tasting last night (I was still working), featuring Dominus v. Opus and then rolling over into several others (Caymus, Pahlmeyer and ?). They said the Opus is improving, but still not up to par with the early years; the Dominus is way toooo young, and that the Pahlmeyer was unanimously the WOTN.

TC

None of that surprises me at all. Dominus and it's little sister Napanook are wines that need a lot of time to mature and really don't drink well as infants. At all.

Glad to hear about the Pahlmeyer, I've been weighing how much of my allotment I actually want to buy--that helps.

(in reply to tacman)

Post #: 16

RE: Californication - 11/19/2008 5:43:17 PM

tacman

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From: Austin, TX
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I quit buying P'meyer in 2001.
I have been drinking some of my '95s and '96s ... both superior to the '94 and '97 (actually the group consensus, not just mine).
Looks like I need to get out and taste the '04 and '05.

TC

_____________________________

"I'm drinking some wine, eating some cheese, and catching some rays, you know..." - Oddball (Kelly's Heroes)

(in reply to annerk)

Post #: 17