4th Saturday Brown Bagger

We hosted the September meeting of the 4th Saturday group. Wines are tasted double blind unless noted otherwise. Wines are shown in the order they appeared in the flight.

Served double blind to the group. Most everyone guessed domestic Chards. As we provided these and knew the order, the TNs are not blind.

• 2009 Dureuil-Janthial Rully Blanc 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Rully

  Pale color with aromas of mineral, pear, apple and florals. The palate follows the bouquet, picking up wet stone qualities through the finish. Nice underlying acidity.

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• 2008 Luca Chardonnay 90 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco

  Deep straw yellow color. Aromas of coconut, banana, apple, tropical fruit and hazelnut. Full-bodied and rich, with flavors of mineral, coconut, toast and apple. Finishes well, with good length and plenty of fruit. Everyone guessed domestic Chard. Enjoy over the next three to five years. 90+ pts.

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• 2010 Truchard Chardonnay 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Softened bouquet of tropical fruit, coconut and mineral; toasted overtones. Flavors of stone, coconut, banana, vanilla cream and toast with good underlying acidity. Everyone guessed CA Chard.

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• NV Cooper's Hawk Barrel Reserve 90 Points

  USA, American

  Deep ruby red color. Opens with a subtle earthy funk, along with pine resin, spice and boysenberry. Medium-bodied, with boysenberry, plum, pepper and spice flavors. Nice finish.
  
  As a group we were all over the place on varietal- Cab, Cab blend, Zin, etc., though we were all in agreement that it was a very enjoyable wine. Of course it was quite a shock when this was revealed. Bottle # 13,550 of 18,000; bottled 4/16/2012.

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• 2001 Domaine de la Côte de l'Ange Châteauneuf-du-Pape 91 Points

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

  Crimson color, light meniscus. Notes of red currant, forest floor, beef bouillon and roasted meat. Medium-bodied and balanced, featuring red currant, iron, herbs and garrigue flavors with good acidity.

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• 1998 Domaine Jean Deydier et Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Clefs d'Or 90 Points

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

  Garnet color, light meniscus. Aromas of spice, pepper and red berry fruit. Medium-bodied with red fruit and garrigue flavors. Nice finish.

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• 2005 Scacciadiavoli Montefalco Sagrantino 89 Points

  Italy, Umbria, Montefalco, Montefalco Sagrantino

  Opaque inky color. Aromas of brown sugar, vanilla, black fruit and plum. Full-bodied, with black fruit and vanilla flavors. Lots of fruit; nice finish. Guessed domestic red blend. L960907.

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• 2007 Chapillon Cuvée Harmonie

  Spain, Aragón, Calatayud

  Crimson color. Notes of vanilla, dark fruit and caramel. Medium- to full-bodied, with chewy tannins and flavors of red and dark fruit, plum, spice and vanilla. Plenty of fruit for the structure and tannin. Decent enough, but not special. No guess as to varietal/origin. 90% Petit Verdot, 10% Tannat.

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• 2007 Yangarra Estate Old Vine Grenache

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Ruby crimson color. Candied red fruit, spice and pine resin aromas give way to a dominant medicinal aroma. On the palate, the wine is harsh, with rough tannins and an off-putting plastic flavor. Angular and harsh. I believe some strains of brettanomyces can present as plastic qualities in a wine, so my guess is that this is a flawed bottle. No guess, no score.

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• 2005 B.R. Cohn Cabernet Sauvignon Olive Hill Estate Vineyards 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  Inky purple color. Notes of black currant, spice, plum and vanilla. Balanced, with cassis, black fruit, vanilla and oak spice notes on the palate. Medium- to full-bodied, with firm but approachable tannins. On the young side. Good, but nondescript; I like this, but couldn't tell you where it was from. Drink now-2018.

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• 2007 Còlpetrone Montefalco Sagrantino 90 Points

  Italy, Umbria, Montefalco, Montefalco Sagrantino

  Garnet color. Spice, red and dark fruit and vanilla aromas turn to boysenberry, red fruit and blueberry as this opens in the glass. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced, with lots of fruit- mainly in the red spectrum- raspberry and boysenberry; also vanilla and plum qualities. Lots of fruit without the dry, overly acidic qualities some often find in Italian wines.

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• 2005 V. Sattui Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

  Inky crimson color. Notes of rosemary, cassis, vanilla, pine resin and black raspberry. Develops an herbal, green note, which I liked. Balanced; flavors of cassis, chocolate and dark fruit- plum. Finishes well. Guessed Napa Cab Sauv.

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The Fenn Valley was served double blind to the group.

• 1997 Pine Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Decanted off its sediment and served immediately with dinner. Garnet color. Notes of red fruit, white pepper, cocoa powder and plum. Balanced, with dusty tannin and red fruit flavors dominating the palate. Long, balanced finish. Showing very well. Ended up being tonight's favorite for a few tasters.

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• 2009 Michael-David Vineyards Zinfandel Earthquake

  USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

  Jammy boysenberry and black fruit aromas. Terrific red fruit flavors on the palate, along with white pepper and spice qualities. Hint of vanilla.

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• 2001 Clos L'Abeilley 79 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  From 375ml. Light golden/amber color. Tinny metallic aromas dominate the bouquet. Tropical fruit flavors on the palate, with a metallic undertone. Has some acidity and a medium finish. Likely beginning to decline- drink up.

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• NV Fenn Valley Vidal 42˚ Ice Wine 92 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  From 375ml, served blind to the group. Pale golden yellow color. Notes of apricot, hopney and frangipane. Flavors of honey, apricot and marmalade with lifting acidity. Long finish. Excellent. Most guessed German BA/eiswein.

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• 1997 Graham Porto Vintage 93 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  From a 750ml bottle opened the previous weekend. Notes of chocolate and black fruit; spice and florals. The palate follows the bouquet; tannins have softened over the week; long finish. Hold until 2017+.

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• 1987 Royal Oporto (Real Companhia Velha) Porto Vintage 88 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  From 375ml. Aromas of caramel, black cherry, plum and currants. Roasted nut, caramel and black plum flavors on the palate. Medium+ finish.

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Thanks all for another fun evening.