Napa Power Couple Taste Off

Hong Kong Queens Terrace
Tasted Tuesday, August 2, 2011 - Wednesday, August 3, 2011 by tplskylrk with 429 views

Introduction

Thought I would P&P this couple and let Man vs Women of the Red's have at it. The manly single vineyard Cali Cab vs the sultry suave Merlot from Napa. What says Beast & Beauty more than this.

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

  • 2006 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Single Vineyard St. Helena Home Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    (8/2/2011)

    Dark dusty red/purple. Really expressive nose for just off the cork. Definitely get some Alch, vanilla oak hiding behind a plush fruit bomb (in a good way). Very ripe on the nose, this needs air. Really weighty & rich on entry, some licorice, dark fruits, expansive through front & middle palate, then a bit shy on the finish. Finishes w a dry slightly dusty tannin thing. Manly. Single vineyard focus, serious wine. Couple of hours in. Nose a little drier. The fruit and American oak are one in the same, a tight tannin developing, scraping. Some real nice milk chocolate coming through. The tannins are like a Boa, gripping, yet offer a glimpse of life w the fuit. This is nice.

    Day II. Held perfectly overnight and no real change, just a bit more blue fruit in the palate, weight is a bit more silky, glycerin. The finish has some nice charred oak depth, high n tight tannins, puckering, then a nice cherried candy finish that lingers into some hints of secondary flavors if you are inclined to let yours sit will reward you with. Drink w a few hours in the decanter, serious food, or hold for your children.

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  • 2006 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Merlot 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/2/2011)

    P&P. Cabernet color, dark purple. Cherry Oak & vanilla on the nose, some purple fruit. This has a silkiness to it, then I get a lot of that Cherry thing, almost fake. I like the big fruit, a serious Merlot. If this was a lady she would carry a big handbag, high heels in a suit and be ready for a big deal in the corner office all while wearing naughty lingerie underneath, never forgetting herself. Not sure I like the chemical oaky twinge on the finish. Hope this gives way to the fruit. Few hours in, Getting a vanilla ice cream bar with a milk chocolate dip on the nose. Cool... The palate is a lighter bluish fruit weighty silky liquid fruit.

    Day II. OK some backing down required. The chemical oak note disappeared through the night, smooth milky chocolate Merlot. Lost some it's stuffing but ended up in a nice place. This is drinking fine now w a few hours of air, or can wait for a while. Good stuff. QPR not bad considering the heritage, otherwise probably bit high.

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Closing

Well in the end the young boy outplayed the young lady ... just. She was playing up a level and him down as far as $ goes, so a stellar performance by the lady. The wineries are physically close, same vintage so this is fun. Grape & wine style only factors.

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