Assorted Wines at John Glas House

A few of us gathered at John's house to drink some really nice wines Saturday night. In attendance were Kevin and Vicky, Stan, John G (of course), Jan, and me. Many of the wines were served blind and really provided some good shock value for what they were versus the initial consensus. As always when we get together the company was as enjoyable as the stellar wines. Kevin, as usual, was the rock star with WOTN (IMO) and several other nice offerings. Thanks Kev and thanks John for hosting!

First two whites were served blind followed by Pillow Road (non-blind) and Patton Valley (blind).

• 2006 Robert Young Estate Winery Chardonnay 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

  Nose: Fresh, melon qualities. Very clean. Palate: Oak that was unoticed on the nose shows up here but not too overdone. Some lemon. Decent but not a very good QPR at $40 retail.

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• 2005 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay Estate 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Nose: Big oak with lemons. Palate: Spicy with good acidity and toasty oak up front. Lemon hints on mid palate and finish. As this was mystery wine #2 and open for 5 days it was surprising how well it held up.

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• 2007 Ladera Pinot Noir Pillow Road Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Nose: Earthy with sweet red fruit aromas. Palate: Earth and red fruits show in equal measure. Clean albeit somewhat quick finish. While not a rock star this wine is very symetrical and well made.

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• 2007 Patton Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Nose: Very earthy and rustic balanced by a floral quality and just a trace of vanillan oak. Palate: Juicy, red fruits and some spice with a healthy acid profile. Nice wine and decent QPR under $20 on sale.

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All I can say is eclectic mix! Massena (blind wine #3), St. Innocent Temperance Hill (blind wine #4) and Hartwell Cab (blind wine #5).

• 2006 Massena Shiraz The Eleventh Hour 92 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  Consistant with prior notes. This was mystery wine #4 and it fooled everyone with it's uncharacteristic Rhone-like attributes. Fun wine for a mystery selection.

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• 2005 Barnett Vineyards Merlot Spring Mountain District 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  Nose: Coffee and toffee aromas with black fruits underneath. Palate: Black fruits with spice and a very solid finish of great presence without to much sustain. Impeccable balance in this wine. For a new world Merlot this is such a rarity IMO. My WOTN! I guess I am drinking some "f***ing Merlot"....Sideways.

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• 2004 Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape 90 Points

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

  Nose: Dusty with spice, garrique, and pepper. Palate: Red fruits, good acidity and still youthfull although accessible tannins. First CDP I have had from this producer. Not bad for the base bottling.

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• 2008 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Temperance Hill Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills

  Nose: Rose petals and assorted flowers with some loam. Palate: Sweet red fruits with nice medium top long finish. Just about as solid as the last time tasted a few weeks ago and another great effort from Mark V.

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• 2003 Hartwell Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Misté Hill 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  Nose: Dusty with a trace of eucalyptus. Palate: Very spicy with red fruits and balanced, dusty tannins. Nice effort. First Hartwell I have had. As the last blind wine of the night Kevin got some measure of revenge as we all thought this could be Aussie...boy were we off.

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