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July Wine Tasting, 17 wines, Crystal Lake, IL

NW Suburbs Chicago, Crystal Lake, IL

Tasted August 11, 2006 by GolferChris with 1,878 views

Introduction

Poured a wide range of value and mid priced wines to friends just getting into wine.

Flight 1 (17 notes)

Red
2004 Hayman & Hill Pinot Noir Winemaker's Collection Santa Lucia Highlands USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
89 points
Tough to beat for the price. Nice fruit flavors with a surprising degree of complexity and depth. Mid-bodied pinot with lots of flair for a $10 wine.
White
2004 Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc California USA, California
89 points
Nice Napa Sauv. Blanc. Aromas/flavors of grass and citrus. Nice clean finish, very good food wine.
Red
2001 Columbia Crest Merlot Grand Estates USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
90 points
Excellent value Merlot under $10. This effort showcases what Washington state can do with merlot. Lots of deep red fruit with a luxurious mouthfeel and supple but evident tannins. Nice complexity for the price.
Red
2001 Etude Pinot Noir Estate Carneros USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
92 points
One of my favorite 2001 Napa Pinots. Gorgeous wine with lots of fruit and a pronouced acidic backbone that balances the wine and creates one of the best food wines around. Bottle after bottle this wine has not disappointed.
White
2004 Ngatarawa Sauvignon Blanc Glazebrook New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
90 points
There is something about New Zealand Sauv. Blancs that always seem to make them taste a bit better than the similar priced Napa version. Pick up a hint of minerality along with lots of citrus and finishes with a clean, refreshing feel. This bottle as good as last one.
Red
2003 Hogue Cellars Merlot Columbia Valley USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
89 points
This bottle confirms that the last bottle was no fluke, very good value. Lots of fruit, nice finish and even some depth.
White
2004 Columbia Winery Gewürztraminer USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
89 points
Nice value for WA. Gewurtraminer. A tad sweet, but balanced with acidity. Poured this wine at Rehersal dinner and it was a big hit.
White
2004 St. Francis Chardonnay USA, California, Sonoma County
88 points
Nice value for under $10. Nicely balanced with apples, pears, and peaches, NOT over oaked like so many these days. Pleasant finish.
Red
2001 Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
89 points
Still tasting nicely. This is the 4th or 5th bottle of the 2001 that I have consumed and I have been satisfied with every one of them. Great value $10. One of my favorite Cabs from Paso Robles. Consistent quality and value.
Red
2003 Rosemount Estate Shiraz South Australia Australia, South Australia
87 points
Bottle was nearly as good as last one, but I would not wait much longer if you have some to drink. Lots of fruit in this easy drinking shiraz. Good value.
Red
2002 Buena Vista Pinot Noir Carneros Reserve USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
88 points
Another fine inexpensive pinot. Lots of fruit with a touch of tea and earth in the nose and mouth. Decent complexity for the price.
Red
2003 Joel Gott Zinfandel Dillian Ranch USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County
93 points
This is the third bottle from our case and it truly is a great zin. Perfect balance, lots of complexity and tons of personality, this is one of my favorite Zins. Tied with a higher priced cab as WOTN.
Red
2004 Woop Woop Shiraz Australia
89 points
What's not to like about this wine. Great price, great flavor, under $10. Nice lingering finish that provides a touch of cocoa.
White
2001 Starmont Chardonnay USA, California, Napa Valley
90 points
Excellent under $25 Chard. Pear, apple, and leechee fruit on the nose, with oak joining the party in the mouth. Nice creamy mouthfeel and a richness to the finish.
Red
2001 Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
85 points
Most disappointing wine of the nite. Epect better wine for the price. Dull fruit and a muddled, short finish. There are many better merlots out there for the money.
Red
2003 J. Christopher Pinot Noir USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
92 points
Beautiful, complex pinot. Plenty of red fruits, earth, spice along with a elegant, long and lingering finish combine to deliver an excellent pinot.
Red
2001 V. Sattui Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Preston Vineyard USA, California, Napa Valley
93 points
Tied fo r WOTN with Joel Gott Dillian Ranch Zinfandel. Excellent example of the quality of California Cabs coming from Rutherford AVA. Beatuifully oaked with red fruit and cocoa on the nose. In the mouth, ample tannins balance out the fruit and the finish gives you the "Rutherford Dust" that the really good wines from this region always deliver. Available only through the winery, which is a shame for those who don't get to Napa.

Closing

WOTN Tie - V. Sattui Cab and Joel Gott Zin.

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