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S&E Wine Club - Mixed vertical and horizontal tasting
Tasted November 2, 2012 by cab blends with 521 views
Introduction
Not sure where my palate was tonight - more than half of the reds seemed sweet (not necessarily fruity) which was a little unnerving. First 9 flights were decanted for 3 hours.
Flight 1 (1 note)
Red
1997 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva
85 points
Lightly acidic and tart with moderate body and a hint of rustic sweetness - Would be good for a hot sunny day outdoors. Pleasant but average. Short finish
Flight 2 (1 note)
Red
1995 Campo Viejo Rioja Gran Reserva
86 points
Lightly acidic and tart with medium body and nice medium to low tannins. Sweeter than the 97 Reserva and more oak.
Flight 3 (1 note)
Flight 4 (1 note)
Red
2000 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino
91 points
Dryer than the 1998 with moderate tannins. A hint of chalky terroir.
Flight 5 (1 note)
Red
1998 Alto Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
This is the way I would hope Alto cab tastes after 14 years of cellaring. Light clean chalk and smooth soft tannins. I would not let it go too much longer as it may begin softening too much. Drink up now.
Flight 6 (1 note)
Red
1999 Alto Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
87 points
I am sorry to give this such a low score - this had some raisiney flavor that make me think it may have been "cooked" for a short time in hot weather or in the sun so the score may not be indicative of the wine itself.
Flight 7 (1 note)
Red
2003 Alto Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
88 points
A hint of clean chalk but amazingly sweet - classic cassis nose for a cab. Disappointing for me for an Alto Cab - just too sweet - I don't know why?
Flight 8 (1 note)
Flight 9 (1 note)
Flight 10 (2 notes)
Red
2006 Neyen Espiritu de Apalta
92 points
Guava carmenere comes through clearly in the nose. Nicely balanced with the cabernet on the palate. The cab actually tones the carmenere down. Moderately+ tannins.
Red
2007 Pahlmeyer Merlot
96 points
Had this straight from the bottle so no time to decant. Although this was a merlot (I pulled out the wrong bottle which can easily be done with Pahlmeyer if you know their label) it had the stength and hint of spiceness (almost like a cab franc) in the back end finish. A long lingering finish.
Flight 11 (1 note)
White - Sweet/Dessert
N.V. Bodegas Pinord Catalunya
94 points
This continues to surprise and delight. A great perfumed nose. Pears and honey - just delicious. Melded beautifully with a sweet pumkin cheesecake. Amazing at the price!