A Friday mishmash

With a half day off from work the Friday before Labor Day, I got together with Keith to grab lunch, blind each other on a wine or two, and pop a couple other bottles.

The Rosado here was outstanding with a ceviche of mixed seafood. Blinded, I narrowed the region as Italian but needed assistance getting to Brunello as I was thrown by the lack of tar or florals. Blind to Keith, he easily called the Bourriquot Californian but couldn't get to either grape in the blend (his initial guess being Syrah).

• 1998 R. López de Heredia Rioja Rosado Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 91 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  This was showing great. Nose has oranges, some other fleshy citrus fruits, hints of acetone, lots of nuttiness--primarily almonds & hazelnuts to my nose. Undertones of crushed red cherries exist as well. The palate comes through great with orange peel and citrus fruits with a touch of candied ginger & some nutty spice. Good slightly oily texture and a long finish showing a nicely balanced acid backbone. Went great with a ceviche dish.

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• 1998 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Nose shows dried red fruits & woody baking spices. Tasting brings great roasted herbs, dried toasty spices, dried red fruit profile and tinges of darker fruit. Finishes with noticeable tannins & acid showing some longer life potential, but staying very much in balance with plenty of flavors (dried red fruits & oak-influenced spices/herbs) draped on that frame that gives a sense of power. Throughout this is medium bodied & has a classy feel.

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• 2005 Havens Wine Cellars Bourriquot 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Started drinking after 3 hours in decanter, followed for several hours after. On pop & pour, barnyard was present on the nose, but this wasn't noticeable after air time.
  Nose of deep black & red berry fruit that is clearly Californian. Enters the mouth with those fruits. Great mouthfeel that is full, balanced, and silky smooth. Back end brings a nice touch of milk chocolate, and the finish has great grip & balance with smooth dark fruits, some peppery spices, and great length.

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I opened an Antithesis to see how our impressions may have changed since having 2 years ago. The Grenache was searing & disappointing. I popped a Havens Merlot to give a comparison point with the Bourriquot bottle we were finishing--both showed great class and depth of flavors.

• 2006 Modus Operandi Cellars Antithesis 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Nose of deep black fruits with hints of red & blue berry fruits as well. These play out in the mouth, presenting a base of black fruit flavors with other berries interlaced throughout. Big, plush, expansive mouthfeel is very nice (more balanced than the first time I tried this; not gloppy this go around). Rich midpalate transitions to a finish where the most notable component is high acidity; a touch higher than ideal IMO and it slightly outlasts the fruit's length. But the fruits that are there are nice.
  
  Overall, a big bruiser that's focused on dark fruit and gives nuances of other berries intermixed. Initially drank after a 4 hour decant, followed for a few hours. Day 2 acidity calmed a bit, added a slight red spice tinge on the mid & finish. 89-90

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• 2001 Clarendon Hills Grenache Old Vines Hickinbotham 77 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, Clarendon

  Really not sure what to think of this wine, it was barely drinkable...most got dumped down the sink.
  Nose smelled port-like...raisins, prunes, dried red fruits dominate. Odd, though not unpleasant. Up front this showed great fruit--dark red & black berry fruit tones were lush and nicely styled. But once the midpalate hit, all fruit flavors were demolished by searing acidity. Mouth-tingling in a terrible way, this lingered to remind of its unpleasantness.
  Confused by this, I'm considering it a bottle that has simply turned south.

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• 2006 Havens Wine Cellars Merlot 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Very good Merlot. Nose is primarily fruited with a smattering of red berries intermixed with darker fruit tones. The nose seems to have some depth; smells rich, gives away its new worldness. Those dark & red fruits come through on the palate, which is smooth and well-fashioned. Finish has medium length and nice dark red flavors with some secondary spice/oak tones. Good structure supports. 87+

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A day filled with good wine--nice way to come back from my trip away.