Trip’s visit to DC

Marks duckhouse, Falls Church, Va
Tasted Friday, April 20, 2012 by dcwino with 598 views

Introduction

Trip was in town and eleven of us got together at Marks duckhouse to dine on copious amount of mostly fried food. Everyone generously contributed a lot of wines. It was one of those nights where we were lucky to have no corked bottles yet none really showed exceptional for me. Nevertheless I had a blast hanging out with Trip and the other usual suspects.

Flight 1 - Whites (4 Notes)

Flight 2 - Reds (10 Notes)

There was a wine with the name Unico, not from Vega Sicilia, which I forgot to jot down the detail but was quite nice.

  • 2007 Melville Pinot Noir High Density 87 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

    The wine was served slightly too warm which is detrimental for a high alcohol Pinot. Very ripe, browning, a hint of cherry fruits, strawberry jam, mint and allspice coming from the high alcohol. It was served later at much cooler temperature which helped little by showing more fruits while suppressing the alcohol a bit. You may like the wine a bit more if you enjoy the riper style domestic pinots.

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  • 1998 Fratelli Seghesio Barolo Vigneto la Villa 90 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Perhaps this would have done a lot better as a dinner wine with simply grilled meat or pasta. The nose is shy, sappy, raisin, leather and dry cherry. The palate is lean with a slightly bitter end. With time, a hint of rose and tar. This bottle displays mostly tertiary notes and the fruit is shy.

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  • 2000 Luigi Pira Barolo Margheria 92 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Sweeter, rounder and more generous fruits showing than the 98 Seghesio. Licorice, raising, dark fruits and spices. Round palate but noticeable tannins. Drinking beautifully.

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  • 2003 Domaine des Monts Luisants Morey-Saint-Denis Pierre Virant 70 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey-Saint-Denis

    The vineyard that I know well but the domaine that is new to me. This unfortunately demonstrates the major flaws of the 03 vintage. Overripe, VA, clumsy, disjointed and tired. Strawberry jam. Reminds me a poorly made cotes du rhone.

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  • 2008 Booker Vineyard Syrah Fracture 92 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    Blueberry jam, blackberry liquor, very sweet nose, oak, vanilla, lactic and clove. Unctuous palate, chewy and nicely integrated tannins but the end note is slightly bitter. This is a well made high octane California syrah.

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  • 2003 Colgin Cariad 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    I find it interesting that this bottle has a hint of green note that I get from the 03 Bordeaux. Cedar, dark fruits and spices. The palate is polished but the middle is hollowed, noticeable tannins. The alcohol is noticeable as the end note. It is still an enjoyable wine but extremely poor QPR. BTW, I like Colgin in general.

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  • 2009 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    This bottle displays the typical ripe Maybach fruits. Ripe blue fruits, blackberry liquor, vanilla milkshake and bitter chocolate. The palate is dusty and chewy yet the middle note is hollow. The ripe sweet fruits stick out and the overall impression is disjointed. I asked a few participants for their rating and I got, 85, 87, 92, 94 and 96 and most of them are cali lover with very good palates. I find the need to point out that stylistically this is very different than Schraders, Harlan, Araujo and others.

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  • 2006 Enrico Fossi Syrah Toscana IGT 92 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    A hint of VA, tobacco, blueberry jelly, chocolate dipped cherry and earth. Very warm and soft fruit expression. Excellent concentration and bright acidity. For those who drink the Italian syrahs, this is a typical showing.

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  • 2004 Robert Foley Petite Sirah 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Based on my past experiences, Petit Sirah may be the slowest aging Californian grape, the 70s freemark abbey petite sirahs are still inky black and mostly primary. This bottle is no exceptiona, crushed blueberries, vanilla milkshake and a hint of cedar. The palate displays excellent concentration, sweet fruits and bright acidity. Very well made high octane wine.

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  • 2005 Poonawatta Estate Shiraz The Four Corners of Eden Valley 92 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley

    A pleasant surprise. Very cool fruit impression, white pepper, rushed blueberries, herb de provence and a hint of marijuana. The palate displays cool syrah fruits and is silky. This closely resembles a northern rhone, cool and suave.

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Flight 3 - Aussie Port (1 Note)

  • 2000 d'Arenberg Vintage Declared Shiraz Port 92 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

    Closer to Banyuls than Port. Still primary, grapy, chocolate, black cherries, raisin and caramel. Very soft, round sweet mouthfeel. Straightforward fruit expression but very enjoyable.

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