Classic Bordeaux and California Cabs

Casa Dietz - Santa Ana, CA
Tasted Saturday, April 11, 2009 by Paul Lin with 947 views

Flight 1 - Champagne (2 Notes)

  • 1990 Deutz Champagne Cuvée William Deutz 93 Points

    France, Champagne

    My impressions of this wine differed from Cris, but then again, I was drinking this out of a Zalto stem, which IMO tends to make Champagne taste more youthful and vibrant. Notes of nougat, baked green apples, crushed shells, and, with air, toffee and bruléed sugar. Precise and focused on the palate, with a lively acidity, and a long rich chalk-laden finish. Very enjoyable.

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  • 1999 Claude Carré et Fils Champagne Cuvée Passion 91 Points

    France, Champagne

    The first time I tasted this wine was in November of 2008. I gave it 91 points then and thought that it was surprisingly good for the price. Tasting it again over the weekend, I realize that that first bottle was not a fluke. This is a terrific wine for the price. Chalky on the palate with a nervy acidity, this wine exhibits notes of green and golden apples, starfruit, and a touch of cucumber and minerals on the finish. A very distinctive wine.

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Flight 2 - Chardonnay (3 Notes)

  • 1990 Stony Hill Chardonnay Flawed

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    The nose and palate seemed very cloaked at first. Then the TCA took over.

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  • 1993 Talley Vineyards Chardonnay 90 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley

    This wine was holding up rather well considering its age. It's not often that one drinks (and enjoys) a 16 year old Chardonnay. Notes of preserved lemons, pastry cream, chopped almonds, and chalk. Smooth and delicate on the palate with a muted acidity. A delight to taste.

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  • 2006 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard 88 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    The fact that this wine was decanted for 8 hours is probably a testament to its quality and potential longevity. Rugged notes of lemon peel, smoke, grilled limes, and crushed shells. Tangy acidity with a long steely finish.

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Flight 3 - Pre-dinner (3 Notes)

  • 1967 Château Léoville Barton 85 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    This wine was clearly past its prime, but that is not to say it had completely lost its merits. Fading notes of mushrooms, white cherries, tobacco, and slate. A short, tart, and gasping finish.

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  • 1987 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    This gorgeous wine is a classic expression of California Cabernet. It has old Hollywood written all over it. Glamourous notes of black cherries, crushed raspberries, cassis, wet soil, licorice, and saddle leather. Rich, structured, and complex. A brilliant wine and easily my WOTN.

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  • 1993 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    A little hard to believe that this was the youngest Cab-based wine at the table. Ripe notes of sour cherries, red plums, red currants, tobacco, and dried herbs. With air, the wine picks up some dark chocolate. Fleshy on the plate with a long finish. Fun to drink.

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Flight 4 - 1982 Bordeaux (2 Notes)

  • 1982 Château Léoville Barton Flawed

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    This wine was corked, unfortunately, but underneath the TCA lurked powerful notes of cassis, graphite, and cedar. Major bummer!

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  • 1982 Château Léoville Las Cases 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    This epic and legendary wine was a delight to drink. That said, between Parker's 100 points and Suckling's 95, I think the bar of expectations was set a little too high. Don't get me wrong; this was a joy to drink, but I do not think it is worth the tariff, nor do I think it is going to get any better with time. Notes of violets, currants, crushed raspberries, cedar, sweet tobacco, graphite and bitter chocolate. Broad and expansive on the palate with a slightly tart finish. 93-94 points.

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Flight 5 - 1991 Ridge (3 Notes)

  • 1991 Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet 91 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    Notes of cassis, cigar box, anise, and dried herbs. Balanced and elegant and probably the most ready to drink of the three. 91-92 points.

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  • 1991 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Jimsomare 92 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    This wine had an Old World character to it; it could have easily been a ringer in a line-up of Bordeaux. Earthy notes of red fruits, cedar, wet soil, and graphite. Dense and tannic on the palate with a herbal finish. 92-93 points.

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  • 1991 Ridge Monte Bello 92 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    In contrast to the Jimsomare, this one came across as more New World in character. Ripe notes of mint, black fruits, chocolate, leather, graphite and wet loamy soil. Slightly pruney on the palate. Clearly the richest of the three Ridges and in definite need of more time (or a healthy decant). 92-93 points.

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Flight 6 - Post-dinner (2 Notes)

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