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Birthday Wines

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Tasted January 20, 2017 - January 21, 2017 by cab blends with 244 views

Introduction

Wines were all tasted blind. On day 1, the longest decant was just over 1 hour.

Flight 1 (5 notes)

Red
2000 Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
89 points
Light cassis nose. petroleum body with a short finish - initially 87. Dry rough stones with metallic pieces in the finish

On day 2 the tannins flourished nicely 6.5/10
Red
2002 Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County USA, California, Sonoma County
91 points
Cassis nose - balanced with dark fruit at the back of the palate. Medium finish

On day two, the pruney nose comes through strongly. A lovely mid-palate but short finish. Definitely finished above its expected grade.
Red
2005 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
94 points
Fruity cassis nose. Alcohol is heavy in the finish and it detracts from the wine.

Day 2 - alcohol improves significantly and brings the score up significantly. Finish is very short which is surprising

Lovely Mid palate and balanced body.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2013 Bevan Cellars The Impetus De Crescenzo and Tench Vineyard USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma
93 points
Cherry nose - medicinal night medicine nose - - dark mid palate with very little fruit. - needs more decanting - rate tomorrow

Day 2 the classic Bevan nose comes through. Fruitier than the Hillside Select. The acidity is still high. This needs many more years and has potential to improve.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2002 BOND Melbury USA, California, Napa Valley
95 points
Initially decanted for an hour. Graphite with cassis on the nose. Alcohol too high not integrated. Made this somewhat disappointing for a 100 pointer - only 92 points from me. Really disappointing.

Day 2 - alcohol still heavy but integration is doing nicely and the body begins to find some silkiness.

Still too young to drink.

I seem to be forming a view that I either drink these (high powered Napa Cabs) under 5 years or after 20 as they seem to have this alcoholic mid years. I will see how my hypothesis evolves.

Flight 2 (1 note)

White
2015 Assuli Winery Terre Siciliane Carinda Italy, Sicily, Terre Siciliane
91 points
A light nose and medium body. Very drinkable

light acidity with hints of vanilla, light caramel, lemon, lime and butter.

Flight 3 (1 note)

White - Sweet/Dessert
2013 Mullineux Chenin Blanc Straw Wine South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland
95 points
Very dark yellow, brown orange which I do not remember previously as being this dark.

Lacks the perfumed nose of Vin de constance but good strong acidity with pears.
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