TN: Herb Lamb, Donnhoff, Kapcsandy, Autard, Ghost Horse

Napa Valley Wine & Cigar
Tasted Wednesday, June 30, 2010 by Loren Sonkin with 427 views

Introduction

On a recent stop in Napa, a few of us gathered at Carrie and Randy's place to open a few bottles before heading out for Mexican food. It was great to meet some new faces of people I feel like I already knew as well as some totally new friends.

Flight 1 (5 Notes)

  • 2009 Herb Lamb Sauvignon Blanc EII Napa Valley White Wine 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Carrie opened this. Yellow green in color. The nose is California SB. Grassy with some white peaches. Not my favorite profile, but this was pretty good. Crisp with a nice acidity. Slightly bitter on the finish. The palate has nice white peach fruit. A nice start.

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  • 2008 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett 89 Points

    Germany, Nahe

    I love Donnhoff and this was good, but it seems like it needs some time to develop. Silvery gold in color. The nose has pineapple and "wet rocks". Slightly sweet. Lacking some of the acidity I was looking for (being picky), but nice peaches and some pineapple fruit on the palate. Nice finish. I meant to retry this later with air, but didn't get around to it. I bet it was even better.

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  • 2007 Kapcsándy Family Winery Endre 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville

    This bottle was donated by Lou Kapcsandy for our tasting. A very nice gesture. Ruby rim with a purple core. The nose has a good dollop of oak and plenty of cassis and leather. On the palate, there is cassis and some tobacco. This is tight and really needs some decanting and/or cellaring. Still, it is a very nice wine.

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  • 2005 Domaine Paul Autard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée La Cote Ronde 93 Points

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

    This was my WOTN, but I think my palate was in the minority in this Napa community. Ruby in color. The nose has slight barnyard notes with cherries, strawberries and leather. On the palate, cherries, dried cherries and more acidity than any wine on the table. This took some time to open up and in fact, really needed a few more hours. It is complex but very young. Nice finish. It will improve.

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  • 2002 Ghost Horse Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    My first time trying Ghost Horse. Ruby in color with a purple core. The nose is very classic Cal Cab; Cassis, some leather, some raspberries. On the palate, this is not the fruit bomb I was expecting. It is mature, and complex and interesting. Nothing profound, but a very well made Cab with solid cassis fruit and interwoven earthiness. Seems like it is a bit more advanced than I would have thought, but not at peak yet for those wanting tertiary qualities. If you like your upfront fruit, this may be a bit past that stage. Thank you for opening the bottle. For others, this was the WOTN.

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