Monthly Tasting Group LTB 2009-01; California

All wines were tastes not blind.

• 2004 De Loach Chardonnay Russian River Valley 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Butter, tropical fruits and grapefruit in the bouquet. Full bodied, almost fat and with a lot of taste. Not an overdose of oak. Some sweetness. Tropical fruits again and a nice bitterness in the fairly long finish.

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• 2006 The Hess Collection Chardonnay Hess Shirtail Creek 85 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey

  Fresh bouquet with some flowers and grass. A bit fat, but also some freshness on the palate. Soft tropical, a bit of pear and a little pleasant citrus. Not great but certainly an ok wine.

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• 2007 The Hess Collection Sauvignon Blanc Allomi Vineyard 81 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Cat pee in the bouquet as well as the taste. Candy as well. A lot of citrus acidity. Some minerals. Refreshing but not interesting.

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• 2006 Canyon Springs Merlot 79 Points

  USA, California

  Warm and boiled fruits in the bouquet. Not really nice. In the mouth the wine is round and supple. Soft tannin with just a little bitterness in the finish. Medium bodied. Above average, but nothing interesting about this wine.

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• 2004 Rockwood Winery Merlot 81 Points

  USA, California

  Overripe fruits in the bouquet. Sweet strawberries in both bouquet as taste as well. Juicy and round and soft tannin and bitterness. Ripe cherries. Not bad, not interesting either.

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• 2005 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Merlot 86 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Interesting bouquet with ripe cherries. White pepper in the start. Juicy fruits, pleasant oak and soft bitterness. Harmonious wine.

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• 2007 Ironstone Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 85 Points

  USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

  Purple red. Sweet liquorice and fruits in the bouquet. Concentrated wine with a lot of sweetness. Cherrie pie. Not much complexity but a long and not unpleasant finish.

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• 2004 Woodbridge Old Vine Zinfandel 84 Points

  USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

  Ripe fruits in the sweet bouquet. Full bodied, round and ripe red fruits, e.g. cherries. Lacks acidity. There is some ok bitterness in the finish.

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• 2006 De Loach Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 85 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Light color. Inviting bouquet with some strawberries and some sweetness. Full bodied and juicy. Hardly any acidity. A bit of oak, some elegance and a lot of sweetness. Although it drinks like lemonade I thought it is pleasant drinking. No real complexity.

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• 2005 The Hess Collection Syrah Hess 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey

  Chocolate and liquorice in the bouquet. A mouth full of wine. Ripe cassis and cherries. Supple and friendly. A lot of alcohol and sweetness. Lacks real complexity, but is definitely nice with lamb or rare steak.

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• 2004 The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

  A lot of sweetness in the bouquet. Cherries. A mouth full of wine. A lot of fruits, sweetness, bitterness and good tannin which is a bit dry. There is a good dose of acidity and oak. Long and sweet finish. This is a complete wine which offers something extra.

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• 2005 The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Allomi 88 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Ripe, even a little bit overripe fruits in the bouquet. Very juicy and ripe red and black berry fruits. Long, soft and sweet finish. Will probably improve the next few years.

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• 2005 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Toasted and complex bouquet. A lot of oak. A lot of good acidity and good tannin. Dark and ripe fruits. Fills the whole mouth. Many layers. Needs some more years. 3 to start with. Complex wine.

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• NV Remi Henry Champagne Grand Cru Brut 86 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Pleasant but not spectacular bubble. Tasty and some brioche. No real refinement.

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