Every once in a while, a deal poses itself that requires and a double take and several confirmations before it sinks in...
One of my and my wife's favorite weekly Monday/Wednesday half price bottle joints (Sbicca Encinitas) is closing shop. The waiter shared that all bottles would be half price all week and that Saturday was the last meal. New to the list was the 2005 Alban Grenache, which I unfortunately am not allocated any from Alban (late to the list). With half price all week, this was $80 net out the door. Before the waiter cracked the bottle, I asked if there was anymore and whether I could purchase "to go"...I walked out with 4 additional bottles at $80.
On to the wine...this was the greatest young cali grenache I have ever put to my nose and lips. Right out of the bottle and before food, even at 16.7%, this had a glorious nose that enveloped the table. Sweet black cherry with a hint of strawberry kirsch and spice, the nose continued to build over the course of our 90 minute meal. On the palate, the purity and richness of the fruit was incredible, and reminded of a ripe year CdP on steriods. Earthy notes continued to grow over the course of the meal and the food only intensified the quality of the wine. The mouthfeel was incredible and reminded me of a SQN...this was about as good as its gets for cali grenache. There are 2 central coast vintners that are head and shoulders above the rest and there names start with John and Manfred!!!
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The last time I had this was from magnum about a year ago and it was stewed fruit from heat exposure and undrinkable. For some reason, tonight I decided to open a 750ml and see how its doing after my crack fiend friend Laube downgraded it from 94 to 86.
I actually agree with his tasting notes, but it was more pleasurable than the 86 points he gave it. Classic aged cali cabernet on the nose that said late 80's rather than mid to late 90's. This has evolved quite a bit from its youth with more earthy notes on the nose with black cheery and a little spice. The fruit is ripe on the palate with a sweet cherry burst on the midplate and eartht notes on the finish. This is drinking very wel, but as Laube said, needs more depth to justify a high score. I would drink these up, as there is no telling how long this will hold up, but it is very good right now!!
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Best QPR syrah I have ever had!!! Day 1 was beef blood, asphalt and smoke with deep black fruit...rich on the palate, but slightly shut down with a clipped finish...for $18 this was stunning and reminded me of the 2005 Denner Ditch Digger...
Went out of town and came back to it 3 days later after drinking half the bottle day one...OMG!!! Funky notes are gone, which I actually like, but a core of rich black fruit emerged that sang from the glass. The palate was much more rich and open, with velvetty tannins and a longer finish...this was drinking like $45 rather than $18...heading back to my buddy at Wine Street who recommended it and buying a couple of cases...Yee ha!!!
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2005 Alban Vineyards Grenache Alban Estate Vineyard
2/27/2008 - drinkwinedaily wrote: 97 Points
Every once in a while, a deal poses itself that requires and a double take and several confirmations before it sinks in...
One of my and my wife's favorite weekly Monday/Wednesday half price bottle joints (Sbicca Encinitas) is closing shop. The waiter shared that all bottles would be half price all week and that Saturday was the last meal. New to the list was the 2005 Alban Grenache, which I unfortunately am not allocated any from Alban (late to the list). With half price all week, this was $80 net out the door. Before the waiter cracked the bottle, I asked if there was anymore and whether I could purchase "to go"...I walked out with 4 additional bottles at $80.
On to the wine...this was the greatest young cali grenache I have ever put to my nose and lips. Right out of the bottle and before food, even at 16.7%, this had a glorious nose that enveloped the table. Sweet black cherry with a hint of strawberry kirsch and spice, the nose continued to build over the course of our 90 minute meal. On the palate, the purity and richness of the fruit was incredible, and reminded of a ripe year CdP on steriods. Earthy notes continued to grow over the course of the meal and the food only intensified the quality of the wine. The mouthfeel was incredible and reminded me of a SQN...this was about as good as its gets for cali grenache. There are 2 central coast vintners that are head and shoulders above the rest and there names start with John and Manfred!!!
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1997 Ristow Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Quinta de Pedras
1/23/2008 - drinkwinedaily wrote: 90 Points
The last time I had this was from magnum about a year ago and it was stewed fruit from heat exposure and undrinkable. For some reason, tonight I decided to open a 750ml and see how its doing after my crack fiend friend Laube downgraded it from 94 to 86.
I actually agree with his tasting notes, but it was more pleasurable than the 86 points he gave it. Classic aged cali cabernet on the nose that said late 80's rather than mid to late 90's. This has evolved quite a bit from its youth with more earthy notes on the nose with black cheery and a little spice. The fruit is ripe on the palate with a sweet cherry burst on the midplate and eartht notes on the finish. This is drinking very wel, but as Laube said, needs more depth to justify a high score. I would drink these up, as there is no telling how long this will hold up, but it is very good right now!!
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2005 Culler Syrah Casaeda
1/23/2008 - drinkwinedaily wrote: 92 Points
Best QPR syrah I have ever had!!! Day 1 was beef blood, asphalt and smoke with deep black fruit...rich on the palate, but slightly shut down with a clipped finish...for $18 this was stunning and reminded me of the 2005 Denner Ditch Digger...
Went out of town and came back to it 3 days later after drinking half the bottle day one...OMG!!! Funky notes are gone, which I actually like, but a core of rich black fruit emerged that sang from the glass. The palate was much more rich and open, with velvetty tannins and a longer finish...this was drinking like $45 rather than $18...heading back to my buddy at Wine Street who recommended it and buying a couple of cases...Yee ha!!!
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