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Vacation Wines: Pride, Matrot, Owen Roe, Two Hands, etc.

Family Beach Cottage, Scarborough, Maine

Tasted August 7, 2011 - August 15, 2011 by jfagan with 456 views

Introduction

With my wife's family beach house in Maine just 200 miles from our house in Vermont, wines packed in Styro from the cellar are still cool when we get there. There's a lobster pound within walking distance, so many of the wines I bring are white but historically I've packed a few nice reds as well. Several years ago Bob Foley and Kelly joined us there so I always bring a bottle of Pride to remember that visit. Owen Roe Cab Franc has also been a tradition. here are notes on some of the wines.

Flight 1 (7 notes)

Red
2003 Owen Roe Cabernet Franc Rosa Mystica USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
92 points
Quick note. Decanted one hour. Very deep, ripe and rich--perhaps just a touch warm. Full-bodied, jammy and full of ripe, dark fruit, this powerful wine is at its peak and should be drunk over the next couple of years.
White
2001 Owen Roe Chardonnay Casa Blanca Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
88 points
I believe this vineyard in now named Crawford-Beck. Clone 76. Mature, medium yellow/gold. Clean and bright. Initial nose of roasted nuts, flowers and a touch of honey. Still quite fresh and lively on the palate with citrus, orchard fruit and a hint of minerality. While not particularly complex or profound, this wine deserves praise for its longevity. Drink up.
Red
2001 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon USA, California, Napa Valley
95 points
Decanted for about an hour and enjoyed over the next few. Deep, dark color with a thin clear rim. Gorgeous nose of smoky black and red fruit, coffee, chocolate and cedar. Rich but lively flavors add sweet spice, fruit liqueur and a touch of brown sugar or molasses. This is a deep, profound and powerful wine with plenty of structure to continue to evolve. A classic Napa mountain Cabernet that can be drunk now through 2015.
White
2008 Domaine Matrot Meursault 1er Cru Charmes France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru
92 points
Medium yellow. With some coaxing the nose shows minerals, fresh flowers and white peach. The flavors are crystal clear, pure and very primary--profound yet pretty with lightly perfumed orchard fruit, excellent purity and balance. Drink 2013-2017.
Red
2002 Clarendon Hills Grenache Old Vines Hickinbotham Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, Clarendon
89 points
Decanted 1 hour. Deep clear ruby red. Raspberry coulis, jam and a touch of smoke. The nose is not very complex but it is intense. Deep, fresh and clearly "New World" the flavors feature raspberry, blueberry pie and briary fruit. Certainly enjoyable but a rather simple "one trick pony" that's hanging in there with an abundance of acidity. Considering all the great inexpensive Grenache-based wines one can find in Southern France and Spain this is seriously overpriced. Drink now through 2015.
White
2005 Ken Wright Chardonnay Celilo Vineyard USA, Oregon/Washington, Columbia Gorge
88 points
From a very unique vineyard in the Columbia Gorge. Light, bright yellow. Peach skin, sweet spice and a touch of honey in the nose. Very nicely textured with slightly viscous orchard fruit flavors, again some honey, adequate acidity, and even a touch of tannin. Lacks some zing but still a worthy effort. Drink up.
Red
2003 Two Hands Shiraz Sophie's Garden Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Padthaway
95 points
Splash decanted and tasted over two days. Very deeply colored. Clear rim. Complex and elegant nose of savory herbs, sweet spice, coffee and licorice. The silky texture is a real highlight. The flavors that follow are suave and polished featuring dark fruit, charcuterie and plum skin. Listed at 16.0% this wears its alcohol well and is a terrific reminder of good the best Oz Shiraz wines can be. (Day two, stoppered but not gassed, this is even silkier but a little softer.) Drink now through 2016. Glad I have two more bottles!
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