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North Shore Getaway
North Shore, MN
Tasted September 15, 2011 - September 17, 2011 by rocknroller with 564 views
Introduction
This was a fall escape to the North Shore to catch some colors, hike and enjoy some wine.
Flight 1 - Day 1 (3 notes)
Lunch at Pickwick with the La Crema followed by dinner at Nokomis
Red
2009 La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
90 points
Dark ruby red color. Maybe this is a guilty pleasure, but I like this wine alot. Nose has ripe berries, raspberry in particular, spice and damp leaves. The palate caresses nicely with rich berry fruits, spice, cedar, good body and medium finish. This is a consistent performer and good QPR.
White
2009 Domaine Henri Perrusset Mâcon-Villages
87 points
Pale gold color. Unaoked white burg. Lots of mineral and lemon on the nose with hints of grapefruit. Palate is consistent, lacks body and the finish is average and a bit bitter. Pleasant drinker off the list with seafood.
Red
2008 Siduri Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
92 points
Deep red color. Nose is nice and complex with black cherry, black currants, spice, forest floor and earth, a bit woody, later showing some strawberry notes. Palate shows vibrant fruits, consistent with nose, spices, great concentration, round and full bodied for a pinot. I occasionally get a little heat on the finish. This was an impressive wine.
Flight 2 - Day 2 (4 notes)
Bergstrom on the shores of Lake Superior, Dinner wines at Chez Jude, and then Sparkling for the evening desserts.
Red
2007 Bergström Pinot Noir Cumberland Reserve
90 points
Medium red color. Nose has a lot of funk, barnyard, very old world, raspberry, spice. The palate was a bit thinner, prominent acid, raspberry, cherry, and fine tannins. This bottle did not show quite as well as others.
Red
2010 Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon Aconcagua Valley
88 points
No specific notes, was a decent restaurant by the glass wine, went quite well with braised lamb shank.
Red
2009 Joseph Drouhin Pinot Noir Bourgogne Laforet
87 points
Light ruby color. Raspberry notes and spice on the nose. Palate is somewhat light body, thin, a bit tannic.
White - Sparkling
2003 Mumm Napa Blanc de Blancs Vintage
89 points
Pale gold color with largish bubbles. Cork was similar to notes from seacub, narrow and slightly off consistency, but no sign of taint. Nose is yeasty, creme brule, green apple, pear. The palate was consistent, decent finish. Not nearly as compelling bottles several years ago, but still quite nice. This is probably on the downhill and I would not hold any longer.
Flight 3 - Day 3 (4 notes)
Flight of 3 Whites at Lutsen for dinner and then Leeuwin Estate to top off the night.
White
2009 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Cellar Selection
90 points
Light gold color. Nose hjas grass, citrus, notes of grapefruit, stoney minerals. Palate has light to medium body, decent acid, adds tropical fruit to the citrus/grapefruit mix, finish is a bit flat. Very good.
White
2007 Livio Felluga Friuli Colli Orientali Pinot Grigio
88 points
Color is pale gold. Nose shows white peach, apples, pear, citrus. The palate is mostly citrus, some peach, zesty acid, light body, thin on the mid palate, a little bitterness on the finish. Above average PG, but not a cheapy either.
White
2006 Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay
91 points
Medium gold color. Nose has smokey oak, butterscotch, lemon, pear, lightly buttery. The palate is round, full bodied, bright tree fruits, moderate oak, excellent balance a pleasant persistent finish. For me, this has a nice oak profile, not too much, but definitely there. Love it. 91+pts.
Red
2004 Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Art Series
92 points
Dark red color. Nose is sweetish with vanilla, blueberry pie, cassis, cedar and does show some eucalyptus on this bottle. The palate closely follows and adds anise notes, mineral , and spice to the firm but round tannins. 92+pts.