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Friday Night Brown Bagger

R&R's

Tasted June 16, 2023 by AllRed with 90 views

Introduction

Our small group of eight gathered for our regular third Friday brown bag tasting. Wines are brought in paper bags and arranged randomly but we attempt to go somewhat light to heavy by placing wines towards one end of the table or the other, and then we mix them a bit from there. Each flight is tasted and unveiled prior to moving on to the next flight.

Flight 1 - Warm ups (2 notes)

Rosé
2022 Clos Solène La Rose USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
88 points
Double blind. So pale as to be nearly colorless, with notes of citrus, florals and mineral. A bit lean, though not to the point of being austere, with racy acidity and flavors of green apple, citrus and hints of lemongrass. Seemed very much like an old world sauv blanc.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Rosé
2022 Domaine Sainte-Marie Côtes de Provence Rosé Vie Vité France, Provence, Côtes de Provence
87 points
Double blind. Light, pale color. Reticent. Aromas of melon and apple with tropical overtones. Abundant fruit on the palate, somewhat round but not flabby, with flavors of melon and tropical fruit.

Flight 2 - Reds (4 notes)

Red
2010 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon Tanbark Hill USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
92 points
Blind. Garnet color. Through the first pass this shows raspberry and somewhat brambly ripe fruit. With air it becomes much more Bordeaux-like, showing black currants, herb/green notes, rhubarb and something a touch vegetal/funky/earthy. Plum and dark fruit dominates the palate. Finishes with good length. Consensus around the table was that this was Bordeaux.

This had been double decanted off its sediment three hours before the flight was poured. A couple of ounces kept off to the side and followed over a couple of hours continued to drink nicely. I would suggest a two hour decant if consuming now, though a couple of years in the cellar won’t hurt either.
Red
2016 Château Malartic-Lagravière France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
90 points
Double blind. Deep crimson/garnet color with notes of dark berry fruit, black cherry, raspberry and dried herbs. Develops a nice plummy forward quality, along with spice and the aforementioned herbal elements. The palate is predominantly red-fruited, with abundant barrel spice as well. Fine tannins. The herbal qualities had me thinking cab franc. This bottle had been opened nine hours earlier and still didn’t show its true character- needs a few years in the cellar, maybe check back in around 2028. (J&J)
4 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2020 Clos Solène Fleur de Solène USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
91 points
Double blind. Notes of vanilla, black fruit, brown sugar and blueberry. Full-bodied with firm tannins and flavors of black fruit and toasty barrel spices. Very cab-like to my palate. (R&R)
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2018 Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley USA, California, Napa Valley
90 points
Double blind. Deep crimson/garnet color. Notes of plum, violet and black fruit. Full-bodied and ripe- in a good way- with cassis, blueberry, mocha and chocolate flavors with a lingering finish. Easy to pick out as a young Napa cab sauv; tasty. 90+ pts. (R&D)

Flight 3 - Reds (4 notes)

Red
2017 Lewis Cellars Racecar Red USA, California, Napa Valley
flawed
Double blind. Inky color with some secondary fermentation as this was a bit frizzante. A good bit of VA as well. Kirsch and cherry cordial qualities showing a good bit of alcoholic heat and VA to go along with the bubbles. Big, inky and hot. (R&D)

Judging by the community notes, there is something clearly wrong here. Perhaps the winery would be willing to refund or exchange these bottles to make their customers whole…
Red
2010 La Dame de Montrose France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
92 points
Blind. Dark color. Herbal, with black fruit, earth, mineral and graphite as well. Full-bodied with medium tannins and flavors of red fruit, graphite and mineral.

Showing well in its youth, this had been decanted for three hours.
5 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2010 Prieuré des Couleys de Meyney France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Double blind. Some bricking, appears a touch older. Red fruit and herb elements with a touch of bouillon as well. Red fruit and spice with a sour element that I find distracting. I am not certain that this was a representative bottle and would love another crack at this one down the road. (J&J)
Red
2020 Linne Calodo Sticks and Stones USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
91 points
Double blind. Bright ruby color. Cherry, sweet candied red fruit and floral aromas. Develops cinnamon notes as well. Flavors of white currant, cherry and more candied fruit along with nutmeg and warm spices. Finishes with good length. This seemed more like a pinot than a grenache. (R&R)

Flight 4 - Bonus/dessert wine (2 notes)

Red
2012 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Tradition France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
83 points
Double blind. Bricking with some sediment as well. Red fruit, subtle herb notes and raisin. Raisin and spice with a slight hint of something towards varnish. Guessed CndP. (R&D)
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2020 Clos Solène Hommage À Nos Pairs Reserve USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Double blind. High toned, along with black fruit and grapefruit notes. Sour dark fruit on the palate. No guess, but definitely not my cup of tea. (R&R)
1 person found this helpful Comment
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