anthonyiezzi Pre-birthday Dinnner

anthonyiezzi, MudPuppy, PURPLE and myself along with Mrs. anthonyiezzi and Mrs. MudPuppy decided to get together on Friday, July 14th for a relaxing dinner before the main event on Saturday night the 15th. Our venue was the Limestone Cafe in Peapack, NJ. All of the dishes from appetizers through desserts were very good to excellent with very good service throughout. Corkage was zero if I recall correctly. I'd recommend this restaurant wholeheartedly to any food and especially wine lover.

All wines were served non-flighted.

Served in whatever order people picked up the bottles. The order below is the order I tasted the wines.

• 1993 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  WIML92,PURPLE92,WA92,WS93
  
  Tasted July 14, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout with no evidence of bricking. Slight leather notes on the nose followed by a little green pepper before finally turning into red currants, maybe some red cherries and even a little melted red licorice. Flavors of red cherries, red berries and a little red licorice. Good acidity still. Well integrated, somewhat silky tannins at this point. No reason to hold this one as I doubt it’ll improve but should hold for at least 3-4 years before you get around to drinking them. No value recommendation.

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• 1996 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  WIML92,PURPLE92,WA93,WS95
  
  Tasted July 14, 2006 at an offline. Opened, poured a glass and “glass and bottle” decanted about 1 hour before returning to the bottle for transport to the restaurant. Then served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Purple color in the glass, slightly opaque throughout. Nose of plums, black currants, dried herbs, black berries and saddle soap. Flavors of black cherries, red berries, maybe a hint of mint and some cedar? Medium acidity and tannins, well balanced and integrated. Still a little closed down in my opionion. I’d recommend holding another year or two before opening or plan on some “real” decanting time otherwise. No value recommendation.

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• 1997 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  WIML92,PURPLE92,WA94,WS91
  
  Tasted July 14, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty looking throughout. Nose of plums, cherries, red currants and some soft spice notes. Flavors of red currants, cherries, red licorice and later a little cocoa. Medium acidity with medium to firm tannins. Medium bodied. Still a little closed in my opinion so I’d recommend holding 2-3 more years before opening again. No value recommendation.

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• 2002 Match Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Butterdragon Hill 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  WIML92,PURPLE92,NOWA,WS92
  
  Tasted July 14, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Dark garnet to purple color in the glas, clear hue throughout. Nose of plums, black cherries, black currants and smoke. Flavors of a mix of dark fruits, chocolate, black currants and black berries. Medium acidity with medium tannins. Well integrated, balanced and full bodied. Can be drank now with an hour in the decanter or held for several years. No value recommendation.

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• 2002 Marquis Philips Shiraz 88 Points

  Australia, South Eastern

  WIML88,WA93,WS90
  
  Tasted July 14, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Dark purple to crimson color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of cocoa, blueberry, pepper, a mix of spices and potpourri. Flavors of black licorice, dark chocolate and a little blueberry. Medium acidity with still firm tannins. Running a little hot on the alcohol. Medium bodied. Still slightly disjointed in my opinion. If drinking now plan on some time in decanter. No value recommendation.

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Many thanks to MudPuppy for making the arrangements. This was a great meal with excellent wines and fantastic friends. What a great way to start the weekend!