Terroirist Blogger Tasting

Started with some whites, courtesy of Josh Genderson.

• 2010 Robert Sinskey Vineyards Pinot Blanc Los Carnernos 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Explosive nose. Incredibly floral, with citrus and tropical fruits. Wonderfully crisp. Hints of chalk and minerality on finish, a bit oily at very backend.

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• 2008 Feudi di San Gregorio Greco di Tufo 88 Points

  Italy, Campania, Greco di Tufo DOCG

  Nose is pretty neutral – some sweet stone fruits (peaches and apricots), lemon, waxy lemon peel. Very nice acidity. Surprising weight – mouth has good amount of body. (Robby described it as a bit syrupy.) An interesting and refreshing summer quaffer, if not terribly complex.

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• 2009 Grgich Hills Fumé Blanc 85 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Nose is typical Sauvignon Blanc notes, but not as fresh as I would like. A bit of smoke on the nose, with a very, very strong green bell pepper note. Not enough acidity or citrus notes for a Sauvignon Blanc.

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• 2009 La Follette Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  The diacetyl from the malolactic fermentation comes out too strong on the nose – butter, some peanut shells, and even a hint of movie theater popcorn. Underneath that, some nice lime, lemon, and green apple notes. Some seductive smoke.

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• 2010 Gracianna Chardonnay Suzanne's Blend 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Incredibly interesting nose. White peaches, lots of tropical, white flowers, lavender, citrus fruits, some lemon curd. On the palate, perfectly balanced with crisp finish. Very nice acid. Blind, I probably wouldn’t peg this as a Chardonnay.

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• 2008 Sequana Vineyards Pinot Noir Sarmento Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Big, dark cherries on the nose, some plum jam. Followed by some cola and a touch of anise and nutmeg. Very earthy – think wet, black forest floor. Certainly an interesting wine, if a bit big for my tastes.

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• 2009 Sequana Vineyards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Smells and tastes like a typical Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, but brighter and juicier. Bright red cherries, some tart cherries, hint of stems, dried herbs, rose petals, and oak. Very pleasurable.

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• 2009 La Follette Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 86 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Nose has bing cherries, raspberries, and cranberries, combined with a hint of cola. On the palate, unfortunately, the alcohol really comes through and makes the wine disjointed.

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• 2009 Gracianna Pinot Noir Bacigalupi Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Floral, elegant, light cherries with a hint of sweet spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, clove). Delicate, rosé-like body, wonderful acidity in the mid-palate. Silky mouthfeel. Beautiful.

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• 2008 V. Sattui Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

  Smells expensive. Good amount of oak on the nose, with dark chocolate undertones. Underneath the oak, lots of blackberries and black currants. Gripping tannins. Nicely balanced.

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• 2008 V. Sattui Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Vineyard 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Interesting nose. While all the typical Napa Cab notes are there, there are more red fruits than expected -- aromas of baked cherries and rhubarb. On the palate, this is a bit syrupy, and tastes very, very young and incomplete. Will likely improve in the bottle.

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• 2008 V. Sattui Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Preston Vineyard 86 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Even though alcohol doesn’t have a smell, this wine smells hot. Lots of very, very sweet fruits coming through – black currant liqueur, baked plums and blackberries, hint of licorice, some sweet herbs (sage). On the palate, huge, giant tannins. Finish is hot.

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• 2007 Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Nose is beautiful Napa cab – lots of big dark fruits (blackberries, black cherries, black currant) with a hint of eucalyptus underneath, along with some gray, wet clay. On the palate, beautifully structured with similar fruits, along with a hint of vanilla.

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• 2009 Gracianna Zinfandel Bacigalupi Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Nose of sweet blackberries, plums, and vanilla bean. Big but not overripe. Lavish. Silky mouth feel, great acidity, long finish. A very food-friendly Zinfandel

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• 1976 Dehlinger Zinfandel 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Purchased on WineBid. Perfect bottle condition (high fill, clean, cork came out clean, etc.). On the nose, lots and lots of sweet, fresh blueberries, with a good amount of licorice. It’s shocking how much fruit is left on the nose after 35 years. Underneath the fruit, there’s some savory notes – think mushrooms and soy sauce. Some blackpepper, too. Not as much fruit on the palate, where it has a rustic feel, mostly resolved tannins (but there are still some!), and some really nice acidity. Perfectly in balance. What a treat!

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