San Antonio Wine Geeks - Potluck
Auden's Kitchen
Tasted Friday, July 2, 2010 by Nutty08 with 727 views
Introduction
Most of usual suspects with lots of new faces for a wine dinner without a theme.
Flight 1 (14 Notes)
Closing
Almost all new world wines tonight which was a nice change after the Bordeaux centered previous tasting. Another great nice of good food and new friends and hopefully a location we can use again. The CdP's and Pinot's were the highlights for me.
2000 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 94 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The most approachable and open young Beaucastel I've had, entering its drinking window. Wonderfully fragrant complex nose with herbs du provenance, spice, cedar box, leather and meat/iron/blood character. The palate was densely concentrated, with chalky tannins and plenty of acidity, keeping this from being heavy. Plum and cherry fruit profile. Lengthy spicy finish with a touch of scorched earth. Fantastic way to start off a tasting.
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1998 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Prestige 90 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Initially, was rather closed on the nose bey eventually showed roasted/stewed fruit, mostly plum, and spices. Fruit forward palate, though with plenty of spicy complexity, but a little heat peeked through on the backend. Nice spicy finish, with a creamy character that contrasted with the Beaucastel. At peak and maybe on the decline, a fine CdP, but lacking the complexity and focus of the Beacastel on this night.
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2004 Eponymous Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Expressive nose with spice box, chocolate and lots of oak influence with toast and vanilla. Big, low acidity, plush palate with high tones red ripe fruits. No discernible tannins. Lengthy milk chocolate almost sweet finish. Pushing the envelope of ripeness, but never hot or unbalanced. Good for the style of Cab, though not a style I prefer
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2006 Larkmead Vineyards Firebelle 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Initially this was hard and shut down. Opened up after a few hours. Dark and gritty, with high toned fruit-black cherry and raspberries-- and toast. Acidic with chewy tannins. Lengthy finish of mocha, crushed rocks and dry tannins. Needs some time to come together but was very impressed by this Merlot heavy wine.
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2006 Regusci Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 89 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
Reduction and heat on the nose with cassis, cherry, currants and vanilla. Sweet, sticky, fruit driven palate with vanilla cream finish. Good complexity, but a little overdone for me and slightly unbalanced.
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2007 DuMOL Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 88 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
The RRV Pinot's continue to underperform given their price point, maybe too young? This was showing obvious reduction and heat on the nose, along with cherries and herbs. Rich palate, with lots of complexity and spice to add to the cherry flavors (mild cola character) and a lengthy but hot finish. I have 2 more bottles, hopefully this will come into balance a little more, but I've always found hot alcoholic wines to actually get worse instead of better. This wine is better than my tone suggests, but reflects the poor QPR.
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2006 Jessup Cellars Table For Four 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
A little heat on the closed nose, but no reduction, with burnt toast notes. Nice refreshing acidity and sweet tannins on the palate, never heavy or tiring. Red fruit driven with cassis, and finishing slightly sweet, with cotton candy and an interesting nutty character. This was a little disjointed but maybe just needs time.
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2007 Darioush Cabernet Sauvignon Caravan 87 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Closed reduced nose. Sweet vanilla cream palate, with cassis and currants, and a medium slightly clipped finish of more vanilla. Not my style.
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2007 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Reduction and heat on the nose with vanilla, cassis, and cedar box. Slightly sweet palate, with good complexity, and finishes with a vanilla milk shake character and chewy sweet tannins. I can see the appeal, and it is well made for the style, but too much oak influence for me.
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2005 Seps Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Nose of red berries and toast. Ripe, but not overdone red fruit palate. Really showing cassis and cherry. Finishes with drying tannins with cedar and spice. Impressively balanced and more acidic than the other Napa cabs. This should improve with time.
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2007 Drinkward Peschon Cabernet Sauvignon Entre Deux Mères 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Nose wasn't giving much, but the palate was deep and complex, showing berries, sage, vanilla and cedar. Quite tannic on the backend and finishes with vanilla and milk chocolate character. Slightly disjointed now, with plenty of structure and no hint of heat. This should come together nicely with time.
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2006 Rhys Pinot Noir Alpine Hillside 92 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
I think Dave keeps bringing Rhys to torment me since I don't own any. Bright clean fresh nose of cherry and raspberry. The palate was nicely acidic, but medium bodied and added an herbal/earthy complexity. Finishes subtle with length. Very feminine and subtle in style, but perfect balance and focus.
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2005 August West Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard 91 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
Lovely plum and spice box nose. Quite acidic, with a little "zip" and high toned red fruit with a little black cherry and plum in the background. Just a hint of cola. Finishes with just a hint of heat, but carries on with an earthy spiciness. Quite good and should continue to improve.
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2008 Terredora di Paolo Falanghina Irpinia 86 Points
Italy, Campania, Irpinia
Peach and pear nose. Crisp, refreshing palate, that quite light. Short finish, not too much complexity. Would be nice in the Texas heat.
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