San Antonio Wine Geeks - Random Bottles

A last minute get together with most of the usual crew: Dave, Ted, John B, Nicole, myself+Rachael, and new additions Jay+Karla. No real theme, just everyone bringing interesting bottles.

In the order tasted

• 2005 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot d'Alsace

  France, Alsace

  No change from previous night. Many commented on a "petrol" nose. Not sure I got that.

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• 2008 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Big open nose with orange peel and floral notes, with a little cedar spice. Dense, concentrated palate, but much less weight than expected and very acidic. Toasty vanilla finish with plenty of wet stone. All the elements are there: concentration, acidity, and enough oak for complexity w/o being overbearing, but this was quite disjointed and just seemed young. Smoothed out some with air hinting at potential. Not sure it's worth the $ for me, but in 5 yrs I may change my mind. NR

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• 2001 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin 85 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Everything I don't like from CdP in 1 bottle--unfortunately it was my bottle. Roasted nuts and dried raisiny fruit on the nose with some saddle leather showing later with time. Palate was hot, sticky, with more raisin/prune flavors. Really none of the spicy/herbalness I really look for in CdP. Short clipped finish with heat. This was probably a pretty good fruit bomb when it came out, but with time has lost its freshness, and the added leather notes can't compensate. Very disappointing. Will probably just stick to the VV bottlings from Janasse from now on. Nothing in particular came out as a clue that this was a flawed bottle--didn't seem heat damaged or corked.

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• 2006 Rhys Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Ripe fruity nose with strawberry and raspberry qualities, quite floral and delicate. initially the palate was quite acidic and harsh, but smoothed out over the course of the evening adding a ouch of sweetness. Fleshy, but light palate, with plenty of subtle spice and earth notes. Lengthy slate and forest floor finish. Struck be as delicate and feminine compared to the Pisoni. Not much tannin to speak of. Needs another 3 years or so.

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• 2007 Pisoni Pinot Noir Estate 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Ripe plum and black cherry nose, with some vanilla-- flavors that carry through to the palate. This has prominent tannins and a lighter palate than the big nose and dark color would suggest. Very balanced and in a ripe but restrained Cali style. A little herbalness on a lengthy finish with crushed rocks. Masculine and brawny compared to the Rhys. This should be something with 3-4yrs time.

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• 2005 Bodegas Pintia Toro Pintia

  Spain, Castilla y León, Toro

  Tough to engage as the had huge chuncky tannins and was not very approachable. Not sure if decanting would have helped. Very dusty ripe plum nose and lengthy finish with smoke, rocks, and cedar. NR

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• 2007 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block 94 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Fantastic ripe nose of blackberries, boysenberry, and currents, loaded with pepper and smoked meat. Intense dark purple color. Loaded fruit palate with plenty of depth and mineral qualities, but no hint of heat. Chewy tannins on the back end with a lengthy complex finish with mocha, vanilla cream, and smoke, turning slightly sweet. I think this will be quite good when it sheds its baby fat, but delicious now.

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• 2008 Cline Cellars Mourvèdre Small Berry 90 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County

  Maybe the most interesting wine of the night. Ripe berry nose that oozing blood and iron. Nice acidity, but very tart as this is ripe with strawberry and cherry notes. medium finish with a little mocha and plenty of mineral character. Quite good, but lacking the depth of some others at this tasting.

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• 2004 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova 94 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  My WOTN. I thought this would be young and closed, but after a good hour decant, I was quite wrong. Fantastic nose of licorice and salty sea air with a floral delicacy. The palate is all about balance with fine plush but prominent tannins on the backend, great acidity, and ripe concentrated cherry fruit flavors. Really hangs on the palate with a lengthy refreshing finish, with sweet fine tannins. Really impressive, fantastic balance and delicacy, but powerful ripe fruit as well. Great now, but should only improve over the next 10-15yrs.

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Overall a fun night with good food and friends. The most talked about bottles were the Casanova di Neri, Carlisle, Rhys and Cline Mourvedre. Most people did not enjoy the Janasse (except Ted).