Santa Cruz Mountains Day 1 (Cooper-Garrod, Nick's on Main)
Tasted Thursday, March 22, 2012 by floydtp with 577 views
Introduction
This was the first day of a 4 day trip. We arrived in San Jose mid-day, so we didn't do too much.
Flight 1 - Tasting at the Cooper-Garrod Fruit House tasting room at the winery (7 Notes)
OK tasting experience at a very cool place. It was the middle of the afternoon on a Thursday so we were the only ones there.
Flight 2 - Dinner at Nick's On Main (2 Notes)
Awesome dinner experience. We all loved Nick's and agreed it was our favorite meal of the trip. The restaurant is very small and we sat right in the middle up front. Nick Difu is the owner, chef and on this night, he was also our waiter and provided outstanding, flawless service. I had Dungenous Crab Risotto as a starter and a wonderful piece of medium-rare dead cow atop lobster ravioli for the entree. I also tried their Panko- crusted abalone, which was a nice treat.
2009 Cooper Garrod Viognier Randall Graham Clone 88 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Tasted non blind at their tasting room. Nose of honey, floral and caramel. On the palate, it is very rich and full bodied with some interesting burnt caramel notes. Drink now.
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2008 Cooper Garrod Chardonnay Gravel Ridge 90 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Tasted non blind at their tasting room. Nice apple and pear nose with hints of apricots and caramel. Tastes of sour apples and apricots. Nice texture with a medium length finish that was very consistent. Nice QPR. Drink now.
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2007 Cooper Garrod Cabernet Franc Francville Vineyard 89 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Tasted non blind at their tasting room. Aromas of dark berries and earth. On the palate is has sour berries, cherries, cassis and spice. Consistent but fairly short finish. Still very tannic and seemed very light bodied despite 14.5% ABV. Hold.
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2007 Cooper Garrod Cabernet Sauvignon George's Vineyard 91 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Tasted non blind at their tasting room. Aromas of cassis and leather. The palate starts consistent but the leather changes a bit and some spice comes on toward the transition. The finish has good length with hints of black tea and mint. Very nice wine and my favorite of the tasting lineup on this day. Drinking OK with plenty of air but I am going to hold my bottles for 1-3 years.
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2006 Cooper Garrod Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains 90 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Tasted non blind at their tasting room. Nice cassis and cedar nose. More of the same on the palate with a hint of pepper and forest floor. Consistent finish with medium length. Drink now.
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2007 Cooper Garrod Syrah Finley Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Tasted non blind at their tasting room. Mostly blueberries on the nose with some earthy hints. More blueberries on the palate along with more earth and roasted mint. Medium-long length finish with some cinnamon at the very end. Drink now and over the next few to several years.
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2006 Cooper Garrod Test Pilot 88 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Tasted non blind at their tasting room. Very weak nose with only a hint of cassis. More cassis on the palate along with cocoa. Medium length consistent finish. Drink or hold.
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