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Fall Bachanalia
Green Dolphin St, Chicago IL
Tasted September 15, 2008 by KeithAkers with 875 views
Introduction
This was a trade tasting put on by the chicago wine network. It's a group of distributors that focus on smaller producers both domestic and from around the world(mostly italy and france). There was a lot of wine to taste, so I was rearing to go and taste a whole bunch of different wines
Flight 1 - sparklers (7 notes)
Nice array of different sparkling wines here ranging from moscato to cava to champagne
White - Sparkling
2003 Can Nadal de la Boadella Cava Brut Nature Gran Reserva
87 points
nose: nice and bright nose of lemon peels, peach tones, minerals, and bits of slate
taste: easy drinking and smooth with lemon peels, peaches, and minerals
overall: a very nice and easy with a smooth attack of lemon peels and a mineral based finish. A nice sparkling wine for the price
taste: easy drinking and smooth with lemon peels, peaches, and minerals
overall: a very nice and easy with a smooth attack of lemon peels and a mineral based finish. A nice sparkling wine for the price
White - Sparkling
2007 Gianni Doglia Moscato d'Asti
87 points
nose: sweet and tart nose of lemon drops, apricots, necatarines, and mango tones
taste: great effervescance with lemon drop tones, apricots, and mangoes with a slight hint of papaya
overall: great depth on the nose and on the palate. I was very surprised as this is the first moscato that I've actually enjoyed. Silky feel with a lemon drop attack and mango finish
taste: great effervescance with lemon drop tones, apricots, and mangoes with a slight hint of papaya
overall: great depth on the nose and on the palate. I was very surprised as this is the first moscato that I've actually enjoyed. Silky feel with a lemon drop attack and mango finish
White - Sparkling
N.V. Jean Vesselle Champagne Brut Réserve
87 points
nose: nice and aromatic nose of crackers, yeasty tones, dried figs, and some granny smith apples
taste: lighter bodied with smooth flavors of crackers, yeast, and granny smith apples with a touch of minerals
overall: a very good champagne but is a bit too light bodied for me and not enough depth on the palate. Nice light attack of crackers and a granny smith apple finish
taste: lighter bodied with smooth flavors of crackers, yeast, and granny smith apples with a touch of minerals
overall: a very good champagne but is a bit too light bodied for me and not enough depth on the palate. Nice light attack of crackers and a granny smith apple finish
Rosé - Sparkling
N.V. Jean Vesselle Champagne Brut Œil de Perdrix
89 points
nose: good lifting nose of floral tones, cinnamon, yeasty, and bits of cherry
taste: very smooth and pretty feel with floral tones, cinnamon, and cherry tones
overall: a very pretty light sparkling rose. The little contact with the skins makes a world of difference in the complexity of this wine. Good bubbles with a smooth floral attack and cherry based finish
taste: very smooth and pretty feel with floral tones, cinnamon, and cherry tones
overall: a very pretty light sparkling rose. The little contact with the skins makes a world of difference in the complexity of this wine. Good bubbles with a smooth floral attack and cherry based finish
White - Sparkling
N.V. Paul Goerg Champagne Premier Cru Tradition Brut
89 points
nose: nice pure nose of crackers, yeast, and tart green apples
taste: good focus with clean flavors of crackers, yeast, lemons, green apples and some wet stones
overall: an excellent champagne with nice purity. Clean and focused attack of lemons with a green apple finish
taste: good focus with clean flavors of crackers, yeast, lemons, green apples and some wet stones
overall: an excellent champagne with nice purity. Clean and focused attack of lemons with a green apple finish
White - Sparkling
N.V. Paul Goerg Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut
90 points
nose: great aromatic nose of almonds, yeast, apple cores, and shaved nut tones. dense and lifting at the same time
taste: focused and fat with yeasty tones accompanied by green apples, citrus tones, and almond flavors
overall: wonderful feel with great effervescance providing a good medium/light body to this with a yeasty attack and a crisp almond finish
taste: focused and fat with yeasty tones accompanied by green apples, citrus tones, and almond flavors
overall: wonderful feel with great effervescance providing a good medium/light body to this with a yeasty attack and a crisp almond finish
White - Sparkling
2002 Paul Goerg Champagne Premier Cru Brut
91 points
nose: great citrus based nose with rounded tones of baking spices, yeast, and nut tones provding extra joy on top of the citrus backdrop
taste: nice round feel with good bubbles providing varied citrus tones, baking spices, and nutty flavors working well together
overall: Fat and round on both the nose and palate. Well defined flavors that meld together providing a citrus based attack and pleasant nutty finish
taste: nice round feel with good bubbles providing varied citrus tones, baking spices, and nutty flavors working well together
overall: Fat and round on both the nose and palate. Well defined flavors that meld together providing a citrus based attack and pleasant nutty finish
Flight 2 - Domestic wines (13 notes)
Some very nice producers that I wasn't all that familiar with and were fun to discover. The Eagles Trace was a real revelation for me and was very different from any young california pinot I had ever had
White
2007 Silvan Ridge Pinot Gris
86 points
nose: nice zesty nose of lemon peels, mineral tones, and bits of peaches
taste: easy feel with lemon peels tones and bits of peaches
overall: a nice and easy drinking wine. Low acidity which is a detriment to me but with a nice lemon peel attack, but little finish to speak of
taste: easy feel with lemon peels tones and bits of peaches
overall: a nice and easy drinking wine. Low acidity which is a detriment to me but with a nice lemon peel attack, but little finish to speak of
Red
2006 Silvan Ridge Pinot Noir
84 points
nose: soft nose of spice tones and bits of soft cherry notes. Not all that aromatic, and what is there is fairly simple
taste: easy drinking with simple flavors of spice tones and some cherry tones
overall: a nice pinot, but not much other then what it gives. Approachable with a nice spice based attack but faint cherry finish
taste: easy drinking with simple flavors of spice tones and some cherry tones
overall: a nice pinot, but not much other then what it gives. Approachable with a nice spice based attack but faint cherry finish
Red
2005 Miller Wine Works Pinot Noir Kendric Vineyard
88 points
nose: nice bright california styled nose of cherries, spices, and a bit of cola tones
taste: full and nice with plush cherry tones, spice tones, and some cola hiding underneath
overall: a nice pinot with good acidity and solid upfront aromatics. firm but plush attack of cherries and a spice based finish
taste: full and nice with plush cherry tones, spice tones, and some cola hiding underneath
overall: a nice pinot with good acidity and solid upfront aromatics. firm but plush attack of cherries and a spice based finish
Red
2005 Miller Wine Works The Works, Kimberly's Selection
90 points
nose: nice and silky nose of blackberries, cranberries, sour cherries, and some spice tones
taste: very silky and elegant with tones of sour cherries, blackberries, and anisette notes
overall: very elegant with a smooth sour cherry attack that glides across your tounge with a anisette finish. Lots of polish and class to this, with decent depth and solid acidity+tannins
taste: very silky and elegant with tones of sour cherries, blackberries, and anisette notes
overall: very elegant with a smooth sour cherry attack that glides across your tounge with a anisette finish. Lots of polish and class to this, with decent depth and solid acidity+tannins
Red
2004 Miller Wine Works Syrah Brookside Vineyard
91 points
nose: great nose of black fruits, violets, black currants and dark cherry tones
taste: firm tannins, but balanced flavors filled with black fruits, violets, black currants, and dark cherries
overall: an outstanding syrah with great balance and fruit with good aromatics. Firm and full with a nice black fruited attack and dark cherry finish
taste: firm tannins, but balanced flavors filled with black fruits, violets, black currants, and dark cherries
overall: an outstanding syrah with great balance and fruit with good aromatics. Firm and full with a nice black fruited attack and dark cherry finish
Red
2005 Eagles Trace Pinot Noir Valhalla Vineyard
91 points
nose: nicely styled nose of dark spices, dark cherries, raspberries, and earthen tones with slight bits of candy in there to remind you that you are drinking a californian pinot
taste: great and pure flavors of dark spices, dark cherries, and earthen tones with nice depth to them
overall: This is a beautiful pinot. Dark and pure aromas and flavors that bring intrigue and ponderance while enjoying at the same time. Nicely polished attack of dark spices with a silky dark cherry finish
taste: great and pure flavors of dark spices, dark cherries, and earthen tones with nice depth to them
overall: This is a beautiful pinot. Dark and pure aromas and flavors that bring intrigue and ponderance while enjoying at the same time. Nicely polished attack of dark spices with a silky dark cherry finish
White
2007 Syncline Subduction White
87 points
nose: nice light and airy nose of lemon tones, peaches and cream, along with other varied citrus tones
taste: light tones of peaches and cream, lemon notes, and varied nutty tones
overall: a very nice wine. Easy drinking with nice flavors and aromas with a nutty attack and lemony finish
taste: light tones of peaches and cream, lemon notes, and varied nutty tones
overall: a very nice wine. Easy drinking with nice flavors and aromas with a nutty attack and lemony finish
White
2007 Syncline Roussanne
87 points
nose: nice classic roussane nose with oil tones, apricots, star fruits, and citrus tones
taste: sweet and round tones of oil, star fruits, and citrus tones
overall: a bit tight on the nose but very good. Nice oily attack with a citrus toned finish
taste: sweet and round tones of oil, star fruits, and citrus tones
overall: a bit tight on the nose but very good. Nice oily attack with a citrus toned finish
Red
2006 Syncline Syrah
89 points
Nose: good inky and smokey nose with good fruited tones of blackberries, dark cherries, black currants, and some pepper tones
taste: fat and plush feel on the palate with a smokey backdrop providing tones of blackberries, dark cherries, and pepper tones
overall: and excellent syrah with nice fat fruit flavors and silky tannins. Well styled with a blackberry attack and dark cherry finish
taste: fat and plush feel on the palate with a smokey backdrop providing tones of blackberries, dark cherries, and pepper tones
overall: and excellent syrah with nice fat fruit flavors and silky tannins. Well styled with a blackberry attack and dark cherry finish
Red
2006 Syncline Syrah McKinley Springs Vineyard
92 points
nose: very polished nose with plush dark fruits with smoke tones and anisette
taste: smooth and elegant with smoke tones and loads of various black fruits with nice depth
overall: a beautiful syrah. Very polished and elegant with nice ripe dark fruits providing a polish smokey attack with a black fruited finish
taste: smooth and elegant with smoke tones and loads of various black fruits with nice depth
overall: a beautiful syrah. Very polished and elegant with nice ripe dark fruits providing a polish smokey attack with a black fruited finish
Red
2006 Syncline Cuvée Elena
88 points
nose: smooth toned nose with red fruits, spice tones, and plush cherry notes
taste: nice and smooth with spice tones, plush cherries, and red fruits
overall: very good, but rather uninspiring. Nice refinement to the wine that evokes a bit of chateuneuf du pape, but just doesn't bring it to that next level of depth and complexity
taste: nice and smooth with spice tones, plush cherries, and red fruits
overall: very good, but rather uninspiring. Nice refinement to the wine that evokes a bit of chateuneuf du pape, but just doesn't bring it to that next level of depth and complexity
White - Sweet/Dessert
2007 Syncline Viognier Late Harvest Viognier
88 points
nose: nice honeyed and floral nose with sweet citrus tones and light floral tones
taste: very interesting and viscous flavors with white floral tones, peach tones, and other sweet citrus tones
overall: nice depth of flavors with good viscosity. very pretty aromatics and flavors on the palate that is very enjoyable and delicious
taste: very interesting and viscous flavors with white floral tones, peach tones, and other sweet citrus tones
overall: nice depth of flavors with good viscosity. very pretty aromatics and flavors on the palate that is very enjoyable and delicious
White
2006 Ryan Patrick Vineyards Chardonnay Naked
85 points
nose: very steely nose with lemon zest, vanilla extract, and slight floral tones
taste: focused but thin with lemon zest tones and some slight florals
overall: a very nice unoaked chardonnay. Steely and focused aromas but lacks that focus on the palate. that said, this is still a well put together wine and is a good change of pace for the price
taste: focused but thin with lemon zest tones and some slight florals
overall: a very nice unoaked chardonnay. Steely and focused aromas but lacks that focus on the palate. that said, this is still a well put together wine and is a good change of pace for the price
Flight 3 - Italian wines (14 notes)
Piedmont was heavy here at the tasting and I wish there had been a wider selection of Tuscan wines, but I certainly didn't object to trying any of them. :)
Red
2007 Parusso Dolcetto d'Alba Piani Noce
85 points
nose: soft nose of cherries, earth tones, and slight bits of blueberries
taste: one dimensional with various cherry tones
overall: smooth and easy drinking, but very simple at the same time. A nice and solid wine that does what its supposed to, but not much else
taste: one dimensional with various cherry tones
overall: smooth and easy drinking, but very simple at the same time. A nice and solid wine that does what its supposed to, but not much else
Red
2005 Parusso Barbera d'Alba Ornati
88 points
nose: nice and fat nose of cherries, herbs, and herbal spice tones of sage and thyme
taste: well rounded flavors on the palate with cherries and herbs bringing about some nice depth too
overall: a very good barbera. Fat and round on both the nose and palate with good acidity providing a smooth cherry attack and herbal finish
taste: well rounded flavors on the palate with cherries and herbs bringing about some nice depth too
overall: a very good barbera. Fat and round on both the nose and palate with good acidity providing a smooth cherry attack and herbal finish
Red
2003 Parusso Barolo
89 points
nose: big nose with herbal tones, tar, spice, and red cherries. fairly bold nose that kind of belies the grape
taste: very big acidity and tannins with herbal notes, tar, and red cherries
overall: an excellent barolo that needs some time to come together. Everything is there to make this a good barolo, but its just a tad on the young side right now with a good herbal attack and red cherry finish
taste: very big acidity and tannins with herbal notes, tar, and red cherries
overall: an excellent barolo that needs some time to come together. Everything is there to make this a good barolo, but its just a tad on the young side right now with a good herbal attack and red cherry finish
White
2007 Parusso Langhe Bianco
84 points
nose: very easy nose of lemon drops, peach tones, and some white floral tones
taste: nice and easy with some lemon drops and white floral tones, but thin
overall: nice, but thin and lacking in acidity. The palate doesn't follow up on the pretty nose and it lacks a mid palate. A nice and easy wine, but not much else
taste: nice and easy with some lemon drops and white floral tones, but thin
overall: nice, but thin and lacking in acidity. The palate doesn't follow up on the pretty nose and it lacks a mid palate. A nice and easy wine, but not much else
White
2007 Villa Carafa Campi Flegrei
79 points
nose: nice light nose of white floral tones, minerals, and bits of lemon zest. Flavors are also a bit muted
taste: light and thin flavors of white florals and mineral tones
overall: not much really going on with this wine. It may have been too cold, but that doesn't change that it was fairly thin on the palate. A solid wine, but not really one that does much
taste: light and thin flavors of white florals and mineral tones
overall: not much really going on with this wine. It may have been too cold, but that doesn't change that it was fairly thin on the palate. A solid wine, but not really one that does much
White
2006 Di Giovanna Sicilia
nose: very funky and smoky nose with some burnt tones along with lemons and navel orange tones. Not fully sure what to make of it, the burnt aspect is fairly off putting, but for some reason I keep on smelling this
taste: smokey flavors of smoked cheeses, lemon tones, and navel oranges
overall: a very interesting wine, but I'm not sure what to make of this at all. Its just too hard to put my finger on whether this is a good wine, or just a very odd and average wine
taste: smokey flavors of smoked cheeses, lemon tones, and navel oranges
overall: a very interesting wine, but I'm not sure what to make of this at all. Its just too hard to put my finger on whether this is a good wine, or just a very odd and average wine
Red
2005 Di Giovanna Sicilia
87 points
nose: nice and fairly bold nose of black pepper, black currants, some smoke tones, and some black cherries
taste: very firm with tones of black currants, black fruits, and smokey tones
overall: a very good syrah with nice classic flavors. Not that much complexity, but has good firm tannins and medium/low acidity and a black currant attack and smokey finish
taste: very firm with tones of black currants, black fruits, and smokey tones
overall: a very good syrah with nice classic flavors. Not that much complexity, but has good firm tannins and medium/low acidity and a black currant attack and smokey finish
Red
2006 Azienda Agricola Sugame Chianti Classico
88 points
nose: nice classic and gamey nose of asian spice, plums, and dark cherry tones
taste: good medium feel with wild game tones, dark cherries, plum and some asian spices
overall: An excellent chianti with firm tannins and nice medium feel. Classically styled with a dark cherry attack and plum based finish
taste: good medium feel with wild game tones, dark cherries, plum and some asian spices
overall: An excellent chianti with firm tannins and nice medium feel. Classically styled with a dark cherry attack and plum based finish
Red
2007 Ciavolich Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Ancilla
87 points
nose: nice soft nose of cherries and spice with a bit of earthen tones lying underneath
taste: mouth puckering tannins with great silky feel providing tones of cherries, spice, and earthen notes
overall: Even with the big tannins, this one comes alive on the palate and the flavors are well balanced and well defined with a rich cherry attack and earthen finish
taste: mouth puckering tannins with great silky feel providing tones of cherries, spice, and earthen notes
overall: Even with the big tannins, this one comes alive on the palate and the flavors are well balanced and well defined with a rich cherry attack and earthen finish
Red
2005 Camerano Barbera d'Alba
89 points
nose: nicely polished nose of herbs, round tones of cherries, spices, and bits of tar
taste: very smooth and elegant feel with rounded tones of herbs, cherries, and herbal spices
overall: A very pretty barbera with class to spare. Elegant and silky with velvety texture and feel that provides a smooth attack of herbs and a polished cherry finish
taste: very smooth and elegant feel with rounded tones of herbs, cherries, and herbal spices
overall: A very pretty barbera with class to spare. Elegant and silky with velvety texture and feel that provides a smooth attack of herbs and a polished cherry finish
Red
2001 Camerano Barolo
90 points
nose: wonderful lifting floral tones provide the focus of this with tones of truffles, earth, cinnamon, and herbs backing it all up with sheer elegance that is just a pure pleasure to smell
taste: very big tannins and acidity that shows how young this traditional producer is, but with lush tones of purple florals, tar, cinnamon, truffles, and some herbal tones poking through on the back end
overall: a very beautiful and elegant barolo. This is why I love the traditional producers as there is just this regalness about them that just oozes class. Tastefully refined attack of purple floral tones and a silky finish of cinnamon giving us a look at where this wine will be headed once its fully ready
taste: very big tannins and acidity that shows how young this traditional producer is, but with lush tones of purple florals, tar, cinnamon, truffles, and some herbal tones poking through on the back end
overall: a very beautiful and elegant barolo. This is why I love the traditional producers as there is just this regalness about them that just oozes class. Tastefully refined attack of purple floral tones and a silky finish of cinnamon giving us a look at where this wine will be headed once its fully ready
Red
2001 Camerano Barolo Cannubi San Lorenzo
92 points
nose: very pretty nose, almost like walking through a field of flowers with lots of wild flower tones, rose petals, violets, herbal spices, juniper, and tones of bing cherries
taste: pretty and elegant with tones of wild flowers, violets, herbal spices, and bing cherry tones
overall: a very refined and feminine barolo that is captivating and elegant. Everything about this is soft and refined like a beautiful woman with a beautiful floral attack and a herbal spice+bing cherry finish that doesn't stop
taste: pretty and elegant with tones of wild flowers, violets, herbal spices, and bing cherry tones
overall: a very refined and feminine barolo that is captivating and elegant. Everything about this is soft and refined like a beautiful woman with a beautiful floral attack and a herbal spice+bing cherry finish that doesn't stop
Red
2004 Camerano Barolo
91 points
nose: great young and full nose of cinnamon, cherries, spice tones, tar, and floral bits. Very young and exuberant on the nose, but with that touch of nebbiolo elegance
taste: the acidity and tannins are huge on this as to be expected, but beautiful tones of cinnamon, cherries, tar, and spice tones meld well together behind the acidity and tannins
overall: a very beautiful barolo showing the promise of 04. While the tannins and acidity are massive they still provide a beautiful attack of cinnamon and a cherry finish
taste: the acidity and tannins are huge on this as to be expected, but beautiful tones of cinnamon, cherries, tar, and spice tones meld well together behind the acidity and tannins
overall: a very beautiful barolo showing the promise of 04. While the tannins and acidity are massive they still provide a beautiful attack of cinnamon and a cherry finish
Red
2004 Camerano Barolo Cannubi San Lorenzo
91 points
nose: fairly brooding nose with dark floral tones, dark cherries, spice tones, and tar
taste: firm and tart with tones of dark florals, spice, herbs, tar, and dark cherry tones
overall: very different from the other cameranos. There is a more muscular aspect to this one. It still has big acidity and tannins, but it wasn't as big as the regular barolo. Bold(for a barolo) attack of dark floral tones with a spiced and dark cherry finish
taste: firm and tart with tones of dark florals, spice, herbs, tar, and dark cherry tones
overall: very different from the other cameranos. There is a more muscular aspect to this one. It still has big acidity and tannins, but it wasn't as big as the regular barolo. Bold(for a barolo) attack of dark floral tones with a spiced and dark cherry finish
Flight 4 - French wines (17 notes)
a lot of different wines here. It was fun to try the bordeauxs as I usually buy and drink more classified growth bordeauxs. The burgs were nice and the rhones were pretty good too. It was also my first time having a tannat, so that was very interesting in of itself
Red
2006 Domaine Chaume Arnaud Côtes du Rhône
84 points
nose: simple and surface based nose of cherries, black fruits, and spice tones
taste: bright and simple with cherry tones and spice tones with some firm tannins
overall: a solid Cotes Du Rhone, but doesn't really bring much depth. Its nice and easy with a cherry attack and spice based finish
taste: bright and simple with cherry tones and spice tones with some firm tannins
overall: a solid Cotes Du Rhone, but doesn't really bring much depth. Its nice and easy with a cherry attack and spice based finish
Red
2005 Clos du Mont-Olivet Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes Montueil la Levade
89 points
nose: very gamey nose filled with garrigue, leather, roast beef, and black fruits with a slight bit of iodine
taste: classic and medium bodied with game tones, roast beef, leather, and black fruits
overall: Very classically styled CdR that is a gamey delight. Not for everyone, but has a really good medium bodied feel to it with a gamey attack and black fruited finish
taste: classic and medium bodied with game tones, roast beef, leather, and black fruits
overall: Very classically styled CdR that is a gamey delight. Not for everyone, but has a really good medium bodied feel to it with a gamey attack and black fruited finish
Red
2006 Domaine La Bouïssiere Gigondas
91 points
nose: nice rich nose of red cherries, red and black fruits, with some garrigue lying underneath
taste: very firm but silky tannins with tones of red and black fruits along with some garrigue
overall: A very polished and elegant Gigondas. Nice firm tannins that should shed with some age providing a nice red fruited attack and black fruited finish
taste: very firm but silky tannins with tones of red and black fruits along with some garrigue
overall: A very polished and elegant Gigondas. Nice firm tannins that should shed with some age providing a nice red fruited attack and black fruited finish
Red
2006 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Cuvée du Papet
91 points
nose: tightly wound nose of garrigue, black fruits, leather tones, and rich red fruited notes permeating in the nostrils
taste: very firm tannins, but with a rich feel of black fruits, leather, garrigue, and spice tones
overall: very much a puppy. Tannins are very firm, but there is that nice medium feel going for it too providing a black fruited attack and garrigue based finish
taste: very firm tannins, but with a rich feel of black fruits, leather, garrigue, and spice tones
overall: very much a puppy. Tannins are very firm, but there is that nice medium feel going for it too providing a black fruited attack and garrigue based finish
White
2006 Domaine de Chantemerle Chablis La Chantemerle
89 points
nose: nice flinty based nose with lemon zest tones, vanilla extract, and mineral notes
taste: good light feel with flinty tones, lemon zest, and various mineral tones
overall: a really good chablis with a nice light feel to it. Good focused aromatics with a light attack of flinty tones and a lemony zest finish
taste: good light feel with flinty tones, lemon zest, and various mineral tones
overall: a really good chablis with a nice light feel to it. Good focused aromatics with a light attack of flinty tones and a lemony zest finish
White
2006 Yves Boyer-Martenot Meursault
87 points
nose: very smokey nose at the outset with mixed nuts, oil, citrus tones, and a slightly annoying amount of oak that starts to emerge
taste: smokey backdrop on the palate with roasted nuts, citrus tones, and oak lying underneath
overall: A very good meursault, but lacking a bit in acidity. Needs a bit of time to hopefully quell the oak a bit though it does have a nice smokey attack and citrus based finish
taste: smokey backdrop on the palate with roasted nuts, citrus tones, and oak lying underneath
overall: A very good meursault, but lacking a bit in acidity. Needs a bit of time to hopefully quell the oak a bit though it does have a nice smokey attack and citrus based finish
Red
2006 Domaine Besson Givry 1er Cru Les Grands Prétans
86 points
nose: light and easy nose of cherries, earth, and spice tones. not too much depth on the nose
taste: smooth and polished with spice and cherry tones predominetly, but lacking depth
overall: a very good Givry, but there isn't much depth going on with this. Light and not much acidity backing it up, this is more of an early drinker and could probably use some food to help it out
taste: smooth and polished with spice and cherry tones predominetly, but lacking depth
overall: a very good Givry, but there isn't much depth going on with this. Light and not much acidity backing it up, this is more of an early drinker and could probably use some food to help it out
Red
2006 La Pousse d'Or Santenay 1er Cru Gravières
89 points
nose: really nice and aromatic nose of earth tones, brown spices, game tones, and dark cherries
taste: great silky feel with brown spices, game tones, and dark cherries balancing things out
overall: a real quality burg. Good weight and acidity with wonderful aromatics showing off the terroir. Nice and silky brown spiced attack with a dark cherry finish
taste: great silky feel with brown spices, game tones, and dark cherries balancing things out
overall: a real quality burg. Good weight and acidity with wonderful aromatics showing off the terroir. Nice and silky brown spiced attack with a dark cherry finish
Red
2006 La Pousse d'Or Volnay 1er Cru Clos d'Audignac
88 points
nose: nice well placed nose of mushrooms, dark red cherries, dark spice tones, and dark floral tones all balancing well together
taste: very elegant with dark red cherries, dark spices, and floral tones. Nowhere near as expressive and not as high in acidity as I was expecting
overall: a very elegant volnay from la pousse. Nice and velvety, but not really providing the higher acidity that I was expecting. The wine still needs to come around, but still provides a smooth dark red cherry attack and spiced finish
taste: very elegant with dark red cherries, dark spices, and floral tones. Nowhere near as expressive and not as high in acidity as I was expecting
overall: a very elegant volnay from la pousse. Nice and velvety, but not really providing the higher acidity that I was expecting. The wine still needs to come around, but still provides a smooth dark red cherry attack and spiced finish
Red
2003 Château la Caminade Cahors La Commandery
88 points
nose: nice bold nose filled with blackfruits, anise, chalky tones, and bits of black pepper
taste: full flavors on the palate with medium body giving off flavors of blackfruits, anise, and black pepper tones
overall: an excellent wine. Bold and full while not being overwhelming as the wine works well in balance. Nicely balanced blackfruited attack that gives way to a black pepper finish
taste: full flavors on the palate with medium body giving off flavors of blackfruits, anise, and black pepper tones
overall: an excellent wine. Bold and full while not being overwhelming as the wine works well in balance. Nicely balanced blackfruited attack that gives way to a black pepper finish
Red
2004 Château Laffitte-Teston Madiran
87 points
nose: bold nose filled with black currants, loads of black fruits, roast coffee tones, and mineral laced earth
taste: full and tannic as one would expect from tannat with tones of black currants, black fruits, and roasted coffee tones
overall: a big bruiser with big tannins and bold flavors. A very interesting wine that should come into full bloom in a couple of years. Bold black fruited attack with a interesting roasted coffee finish
taste: full and tannic as one would expect from tannat with tones of black currants, black fruits, and roasted coffee tones
overall: a big bruiser with big tannins and bold flavors. A very interesting wine that should come into full bloom in a couple of years. Bold black fruited attack with a interesting roasted coffee finish
Red
2005 Château La Gravière Côtes de Bourg
87 points
nose: nicely polished nose of blackberries, red cherries, and anise
taste: very elegant feel with some solid depth too providing flavors of blackberries, red cherries, coffee tones, and bits of anise
overall: shockingly good. I was very surprised at how well a under 15 bordeaux performed here with nice elegance and a silky smooth blackberry attack and coffee toned finish
taste: very elegant feel with some solid depth too providing flavors of blackberries, red cherries, coffee tones, and bits of anise
overall: shockingly good. I was very surprised at how well a under 15 bordeaux performed here with nice elegance and a silky smooth blackberry attack and coffee toned finish
Red
2005 Château Mangot Cuvée Quintessence
89 points
nose: very pretty nose with lifting tones of crushed florals, blueberries, cherry tones, and bits of plum notes
taste: silky and elegant with crush floral tones, blueberries, and round tones of cherries
overall: a beautiful 100% merlot. Aromatic with an elegant feel and silky floral attack and plush cherry finish
taste: silky and elegant with crush floral tones, blueberries, and round tones of cherries
overall: a beautiful 100% merlot. Aromatic with an elegant feel and silky floral attack and plush cherry finish
Red
2000 Château Les Roches de Ferrand
86 points
nose: nice soft nose of herbs, spice, floral tones, some celery seed notes, and bits of blueberries
taste: nowhere near as complex on the palate as the nose with herbs, spices, blueberries, and celery seed tones
overall: a very good wine. The nose is excellent, but the palate is lacking in depth and the flavors don't come across as complex as teh nose does. Very smooth attack of herbs with a elery seed+blueberry finish
taste: nowhere near as complex on the palate as the nose with herbs, spices, blueberries, and celery seed tones
overall: a very good wine. The nose is excellent, but the palate is lacking in depth and the flavors don't come across as complex as teh nose does. Very smooth attack of herbs with a elery seed+blueberry finish
Red
2002 Domaine Pont de Guestres
87 points
nose: nice plush nose of floral tones, herbs, spice tones, along with bits of cherries and blueberry tones
taste: nice tannins with smooth tones of herbs, spice, and cherry tones
overall: a nice wine with solid aromatics and good tannins. I always like how solid this wine is as its consistently good while being different each vintage. Always a worthwhile buy
taste: nice tannins with smooth tones of herbs, spice, and cherry tones
overall: a nice wine with solid aromatics and good tannins. I always like how solid this wine is as its consistently good while being different each vintage. Always a worthwhile buy
Red
2005 Château du Maine
85 points
nose: smokey nose filled with red cherries and blackberry tones. nice and simple showing off some of what makes graves a special region
taste: nice firm tannins with an underlying smoke tone, some scorched earth, red cherries, and blackberry tones
overall: a nice introductory wine. Well put together with some of the classic graves characteristics
taste: nice firm tannins with an underlying smoke tone, some scorched earth, red cherries, and blackberry tones
overall: a nice introductory wine. Well put together with some of the classic graves characteristics
Red
2005 Château Mangot
86 points
nose: nice light nose of perfumes, red fruits, blueberries, and bits of herbal tones
taste: nice and smooth, but without much depth to it and a bit on the simplistic side with perfumes, red fruits and some herbal tones
overall: a nice wine, but just not enough to really get me going. The nose is very good but it gets a let down on the palate as it gets fairly simplistic. Still a nice wine, but nothing that is really all that special
taste: nice and smooth, but without much depth to it and a bit on the simplistic side with perfumes, red fruits and some herbal tones
overall: a nice wine, but just not enough to really get me going. The nose is very good but it gets a let down on the palate as it gets fairly simplistic. Still a nice wine, but nothing that is really all that special
Closing
A really nice and laid back event. I went there straight from my last class. Well put together and lots of fun wines to try, and lots that I didn't try. It was nice to be able to go about things at my own leisure and it wasn't as stuffy as some trade events can be as the dress code was very laid back. I wish more trade events could have that kind of atmosphere, :)