HdR Farewll BBQ
Hospice du Rhone
Tasted Tuesday, April 19, 2016 by Loren Sonkin with 635 views
Introduction
The finale for HdR is a western themed BBQ. A lot of wines that were leftover from the event plus others that are donated are put out at each table. In addition, many people brought a bottle or more to share. Very casual environment. We were outside. It was a great last chance to talk with people we had met and meet some new people as well. The glass ware was not the best for this event, but we made do.
Flight 1 (20 Notes)
Closing
Over all just a tremendous amount of fun and education and of course wine. I am so glad I go the chance to attend and hopefully, will make it to another one some day. Thanks to John, Vicki, Faith and everyone who helped make it such a great event.
2013 Gramercy Cellars Syrah John Lewis Reserve Flawed
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
I was hoping to get another chance at this. I opened the bottle and took a pour and it was lacking. A few minutes later, TCA showed up and that was that. Obviously can't judge the wine based on this. It happens.
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2011 Margerum Syrah Uber 91 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Another 2011 that was very ripe. Inky purple in color. The nose has lots of black raspberries, vanilla, and spice. On the palate, this is big and juicy black raspberry fruit with plenty of oak still showing. Nice texture. The label I believe listed 14.1 but it had a lot of body. No heat or anything like that though. Nice wine.
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2010 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 95 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Nice to get another chance at this. I might have even liked it more. Purple in color. Floral nose with spices, minerals and lots of kirsch. Its a big wine but showing a nice complexity as it unwinds in the glass. Lots of fruit. Fresh acidity. Long finish.
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2009 SonkinCellars Persona
USA, California
Obviously I brought this. It was nice to be able to contribute and share this wine with people I have "known" on the Internet for a long time. I think it is in a good place right now. IMO, killer nose. Not quite as good as the palate, but I thought very respectable. Still took some time to open and it was better at the end of the night.
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1998 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 95 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
My friend Jeff King brought this. really showed well. Ruby/purple in color. Just a hint of brett on the nose. Really a lot less than expected based on a lot of other bottles. Also some hay, some lavender, and a lot of black raspberries. Soft. Some tannins left, but mostly integrated. Complex and layered. Lots of fruit left. Some dried but some fresh as well. For bottles in as good of shape as this, years left. Thanks!
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2013 Blair Fox Syrah Zotovich Vineyard 91 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Jeff K. picked this up in his travels on the way to HdR. He was told it was middle of the road in style. NOT. This is huge and ripe. I liked it but it is big and extracted style of Syrah. Lots of big black raspberry fruit, some black pepper, plenty of oak. Strong tannins.
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2009 Skylark Wine Company Grenache 90 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
I liked this wine. It seems mature and in a good place. Earthy, black cherries on the nose. Showing nice layering. Good fruit left. Tannins are silky. Smooth finish.
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2011 Alta Colina Syrah Keystone Estate 89 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Good black raspberry fruit on the nose. Some alcohol showing. The palate has some harshness. Lots of tannins but lots of fruit too. Some heat on the finish. Maybe it just needed more air to settle down, but it is slightly disjointed on opening.
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2015 Gang of Six Mourvèdre Sumu Kaw Vineyard 91 Points
USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado County
Ken Zinns gave me a pour of this wine that I believe he and others had made. Obviously quite young, Whole cluster fermentation. Ken likes his alcohols low and a more restrained style of wine, so I am assuming this was in line with those measurements. I enjoyed it. Nice black cherry and cherry fruit on the palate. Slightly woody/tobacco note. Good acidity. Surprisingly little in the way of tannins on the palate. Certainly enough cherries and some dark cherries with nice acidity. I would guess this puts on some weight over the next few years. Nice job.
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1998 Greenock Creek Shiraz Apricot Block 91 Points
Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
Raj Modak brought this and offered up a taste. IIRC, this was their first vintage. In spite of what many said, this has held up beautifully. There is a slight oxidation but not much. Some barnyard on the nose. Lots of black raspberry fruit. Some fresh, some dried. Good acidity. Tannins are all integrated. Layers of complexity. It drinks as a mature wine, but not over the hill. A very nice treat.
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1995 Ausvetia Shiraz 87 Points
Australia, South Australia
This one, also brought over by Raj, seemed old and past prime. There is some sweet fruit still left but mostly tart and dried fruit. No tannins. Still interesting and not dead at 21 years from vintage. It was cool to try and much appreciated.
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2013 Linne Calodo Sticks and Stones 91 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
A bit tight right now. Showing a lot of cherries and dark cherries. Bright acidity. Some spice/oak as well. Nice texture although strong tannins. Improved a bit with air.
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2008 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah Pleine de Chene Hudson Vineyard North 90 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
A couple at the next table brought this. I asked them if they would trade for a taste. Initially they said no (huh?) but then spied our wines and came over for a trade. Black cherry fruit. Still quite tight and in need of time. Black cherries. Licorice. A bit of heat on the end.
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2012 Epoch Estate Wines Syrah Block B Paderewski Vineyard 94 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Nice to get to revisit this one. This is a serious wine and very young. 2012 is a mostly accessible vintage but this will reward some patience. Delicious black raspberry fruit, some black pepper, some floral notes. Great texture. Long finish. There is a complexity but its tightly wrapped yet the texture and fruit are so delicious now.
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2013 Jada Vineyard WCS 88 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Purple in color. Black cherry fruit. I don't know the varietals. Soft and smooth on the attack followed by a wall of tannins. Not a lot of fruit showing at this time. Nice enough.
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2012 Kaleidos Syrah Praying Mantis 88 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Sweet black raspberry fruit. Ripe. A bit cloying at the finish.
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2012 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois 94 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Very nice showing for this. Black cherries, spice and floral nose. Heavy tannins. Good acidity. Lots of black cherry fruit with some spice. Long, smooth finish. Delicious.
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2013 Herman Story Larner Vineyard Flawed
USA, California, Central Coast, Ballard Canyon
TCA.
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2014 Rôtie Cellars Northern Blend 91 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
I was really glad to get another try at this one. It was my least favorite at the Washington seminar (I scored it 86). This was so much better. Not sure why but this bottle had been open for a while when I got to it, so maybe that was it. In any event, this has candied cherries and cherries on the nose. Very much red fruit. Light cherries and dark cherries on the palate. It is 95% Syrah, but has a red fruit profile more like Grenache. Good finish. I am glad I got a chance to revisit this one.
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2013 Bodega de Edgar Garnacha 90 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
I was surprised to see this is a California wine based on the label. From Paso Robles. Nice cherry fruit on the nose and palate. A bit of spice. Strong tannins. Juicy acidity. Has some depth. Good finish.
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