Taste of the Town VIII

This was another great night at Bacchus. As always, Ric is a very generous host. I need to make it out there more often.

I might be redundant but what is with the White Hawk Vineyard? Every wine I have from there has simply rocked the house.

• 2005 Rockroom Syrah White Hawk Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  Rocking nose of black fruit, anise, black olive, spice. On the palate, blackberry, blueberry, melted black licorice, olive, spice, leather, smoked meat. Finishes with great balance. I don't think I have ever had a bad bottle of wine from this vineyard.

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The appetizers were simply great. We had a cheese plate, a crab cake, lamb chop, and cheesecake. My favorite was the lamb chop "lollipop". The cheesecake and cab was an amazing pairing that I will have to try again.

• 2010 Torre Castillo Monastrell Rosado 87 Points

  Spain, Murcia, Jumilla

  Great nose of red raspberry, strawberry, and spice. On the palate, raspberry, strawberry, spice. Finishes crisp and clean, very refreshing. Paired with a cheese plate

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• 2009 Frei Brothers Chardonnay Reserve 86 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Nose of citrus, apple pie, spice. On the palate, sweet apple, mineral, spice, dab of oak. Finishes with a creamy mouthfeel and nice acidity. Paired very well with crab cakes.

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• 2008 Frei Brothers Pinot Noir Reserve 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Nice RRV nose of cola, black cherry and clove. On the palate, black cherry, pie cherry, red raspberry, baking spice and vanilla. Finishes with balanced acidity. Not a lot of complexity here but this is very well made. Pairing with lamb chop made the red raspberry fruit profile jump out.

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• 2007 Frei Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

  Classic Alexander Valley nose, black fruits, sour cherry, spice, mint, and bell pepper. On the palate, blackberry, mint, spice, vanilla. Finishes with nice balance and smooth tannins. When paired with cheesecake, the wine took on a red fruit profile that was very alluring. It was the surprise pairing of the evening.

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Ric was very generous and poured a taste of three good Merlots.

• 2007 Raymond Merlot Reserve 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Wow, I have been drinking some great Merlots lately, and this is another one. Great nose of red plum, black cherry, mocha, spice, blackberry. On the palate, classic Merlot, plum, black raspberry, mocha, spice. Finishes with sturdy but smooth tannins and crisp acidity. Outstanding wine.

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• 2008 St. Clement Merlot Napa Valley 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Classic St. Clement nose with plum, mocha, black cherry. On the palate, black cherry, vanilla, mocha, oak. Sliightly hollow mid-palate finishes a little soft. Not up to the usual standard for St. Clement.

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• 2008 Sbragia Family Merlot Home Ranch 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

  On this night, this Merlot was showing very very well. Great nose with black fruit, plum, cherry, tobacco, pencil shavings. On the palate, black cherry, black plum, tobacco, leather, cedar, vanilla, mocha. Finishes with strong but smooth tannins and great balance. Tons of structure. Edged out the Raymond for WOTN.

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Great event, I loved the bonus Merlots, they were a lot of fun.