NW Chicago Pits 2000 Bordeaux versus 2001 Cali Cabernet

La Tasca - Arlington Heights
Tasted Thursday, August 3, 2006 by Nanda with 1,064 views

Introduction

A group of Chicago-area winos gathered to taste and compare 2000 Bordeaux and 2001 California Cabernet over dinner. Overall both regions and vintages showed well with a marked difference between the two.

All wines tasted blind.

Flight 1 - Welcome Whites (2 Notes)

Flight 2 - Warm-up Red (1 Note)

Many thanks to Jordan for bring the Beau! She was rockin'.

  • 1989 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 94 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Light ruby to brown in color with strong aromoas. Red fruit, herbs and early on some barnyard which blows off. The palate is seamless and just singing. Fruit (cassis, black cherry) is nuanced and well integrated with secondary characteristics of herbs and spice. Very long finish. Quite nice.

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Flight 3 - Flight One (4 Notes)

Wally through in the ringer right away the with 98 right banker - I picked that as the only Bdx of the flight but didn't guess it to be a 98. The other three were clearly Cali. The ACV was awesome my WOTF and #2 WOTN.

  • 1998 Clos de l'Oratoire 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Purple colored with an interesting but restrained nose of red crits, violets, cedar and mild vanillin. Initially tight, but the palate opens nicely over the course of the glass. Dark red fruits, cedar, spice and tar notes. Medium bodied with a nice structure. Not yet showing it's all but this is should be very good in a few years.

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  • 2001 Melka Cabernet Sauvignon CJ 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Dark ruby to purple colors. The nose is reticent but ekes out a hint of cedar and sweet red fruit. Palate is full bodied, tannic and balanced by ample giving fruits. Currants and more cedar notes. Finish is a tad drying as the tannins need to integrate.

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  • 2001 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Dark ruby in color. Killer nose of smokey red fruits and nutty vanilla. Silky smooth on the palate. Red currants and vanillin. Picks up body and weight over the course of the glass. Excellent balance of fruit and structure. Solid fruit and spice filled finish.

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  • 2001 Husic Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Inky purple colors with a nose of ripe red fruit and sweet oak. Medium to full bodied and very fruit forward. Sweet and oak profile. Well made wine but very new world in style.

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Flight 4 - Flight Two (4 Notes)

A very well rounded flight save the odd / off Carruades. The Mondavi was excellent. My WOTF though the KL was drinking better now. The KL tied for group's #1 WOTN. Again the wines in this flight were fairly straightforward to determine origin.

  • 2001 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Purple color with a complex, mineral-over-vibrant red fruit nose. Excellent aromas. Out of the bottle the palate is tight and tannic. Over time, develops a very interesting profile of plush currant and cassis fruits, tobacco and cedar. This is quite young - only developed medium body weight and plenty of tanninc structure. In 5 years, I'd love this wine.

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  • 2000 Château Cos d'Estournel 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    Purple color with a mineral, earthy and dark fruit nose. Unfortunately, a tiny hint of distracting VA as well. Palate has vibrant red spicy fruit and a heavy dose of tannin. Long finish. Though this wine is tannic the supporting fruits are more than abundant to compensate - just not today. This is only showing a glimpse of how great it will be. Do not touch for at least five years!

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  • 2000 Carruades de Lafite Flawed

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Purple colored. The nose is totally shut down and palate has only a hint of fruit with a mouthful of acidity. This is severely closed or an off bottle.

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  • 2001 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Purple color with a luscious nose of red fruit, cassis, minerality and vanillin. The palate is huge. Big red and black fruits, tobacco and cedar. Nice tannic structure provides balance. Solid finish. A winner!

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Flight 5 - Flight Three (3 Notes)

I loved the Giscours --- my WOTN, tied for the group's WOTN. Already drinking nicely. I picked out the two BDX, but thought the Lewis was a ringer for sure - Aussie fruit bomb. But alas, Cali Cab...who'd a thunk it!

  • 2000 Château Giscours 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    Dark purple color with a singing nose of black licorice, dark fruit and minerals. Fruit is forward and more than balancing the significant tannic structure. This wine is in a very good place tonight. Palate features Black fruits, earth and spice. Excellent showing.

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  • 2000 Château Branaire (Duluc-Ducru) 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    Dark purple in color with an aromatic nose of cloves, licorice and black fruits. Medium bodied on the palate. Fruit is somewhat subdued by the tannic structure. Very good upside here, but one to lay down for a couple of years.

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  • 2001 Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Dark purple in color. Very aromatic with sweet blue fruits and vanillin. Palate is plush, fruit forward and very giving. Still has a good amount of underlying tannins but they barely peak out with all the oozing sweet fruit. Lenghty fruit filled finish.

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Closing

Thanks to Wally for his hard work in organizing this dinner and tasting. It was great to meet / see everyone and taste through these great wines. I look forward to more events in the future!

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